Changing representations of women in Disney films

Abstract

This dissertation will discuss specific Disney films in relation to changing representations of women. Through an analysis of different filmic adaptations, three main topics will be discussed, with two specific animations being discussed in each chapter: firstly, the woman and herself, mainly discussing self-esteem and self-worth in Sleeping Beauty (1959) and Moana (2016); secondly, representations of the female body on screen, including an analysis of advertising for the films The Little Mermaid (1989) and Frozen (2013); finally, women and their relationships within their community, namely with parents and love interests (or lack thereof) in Pocahontas (1995) and Brave (2012). The main argument is that there has been a significant change in the representation of women in Disney films, especially with regards to character development, which is seen mainly in films produced since the 1990s. However, while there are noticeable changes with the passing of time, there are still certain trends that can be seen across the board, such as the idea of a quest, that of love prevailing to save the kingdom, and the notion of presenting a woman as a perfect figure. Representations of women in Disney films reflect certain widely held ideas about women through film, and they do not really revolutionise the way we perceive women. These representations are ways of naturalising the ideologies of societies that perceive women in certain ways. Films replicate ideologies, thus providing us with representations of women that are rooted in the films’ social contexts.