This paper aims to point out how the authenticity of Disney’s depiction of cultures differing from white American culture in Mulan and Moana can influence the perception of represented cultures by analysing raised criticism with respect to the postcolonial concepts of white supremacy, othering and cultural appropriation. At the same time it shall be shown if, by means of Mulan and Moana, Disney manages to promote gender equality with its representation of male and female roles in both films by examining it from a feminist perspective. In order to do so, this paper subdivides into four main parts. The following chapter will offer a brief introduction to feminist theory and gender roles by focusing on feminist theory and intersectionality, the role of women as members of society and family and the representation of women in media. The third chapter will concentrate on the representation of cultures and ethnicities in media and take a look at postcolonial concepts in order to critically analyse the authenticity of the representation of Chinese and Polynesian culture through an American film studio. Chapter four, the first part of the actual analysis, will be provided in three subchapters dealing with aspects of gendered representation. Thereafter, the fifth chapter will scrutinise the authenticity of cultural representations in the two films with the aim of pointing out what has improved and what aspects still require closer research by Disney. The final chapter will then synthesise the findings to draw a comparison of the two movies and find out how the representations of gender, culture and ethnicity in Disney movies have changed from 1998 to 2016. This shall offer a conclusion about the authenticity of the cultural representation and portrayal of gender roles for each movie.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Representation of Women
2.1 The Development of Feminism, Intersectionality and Gender
2.1.1 The Beginning of Feminist Thought
2.1.2 A New Wave of Feminism: About Intersecting Axes of Oppression
2.1.3 Feminism and Gender Equality: Where We Are (Headed)
2.2 About Angels and Housewives: Women in Family and Society
2.3 Gender (Roles) in Media and Film
3. On Cultures and Ethnicities in a Postcolonial Society
3.1 White Supremacy, Othering and Cultural Appropriation in Media
3.2 The Importance of Representation
4. Bearing Arms or Bearing Sons: Representations of Gender in Mulan and Moana
4.1 “A Girl Who Speaks Her Mind?” Disney’s Princesses as Feminist Heroines
4.2 “Men Want Girls with Good Taste”: Disney’s Family and Society
4.3 Strong Men Rescue Weak Princesses? Body Portrayals in Mulan and Moana
5. Of Dragons and Voyagers: Representations of Culture in Mulan and Moana
6. Conclusion
7. Bibliography
7.1 Primary Sources
7.2 Secondary Sources
8. Appendix
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this thesis is to examine how Disney’s films Mulan and Moana represent ethnicity, culture, and gender, specifically focusing on whether these depictions promote gender equality and cultural authenticity from postcolonial and feminist perspectives.
- Feminist theory, intersectionality, and the historical representation of women in media.
- Postcolonial concepts such as white supremacy, othering, and cultural appropriation within film.
- Comparative analysis of gender role portrayals and character agency in Mulan and Moana.
- Critical evaluation of cultural authenticity, including clothing, music, and myth usage.
- The impact of Disney’s “Disneyfication” and Americanization processes on diverse cultural narratives.
Excerpt from the Book
4.1 “A Girl Who Speaks Her Mind?” Disney’s Princesses as Feminist Heroines
In her book The Princess Story – Modeling the Feminine in Twentieth-Century American Fiction and Film Sarah Rothschild discusses the pattern in which Disney seems to present its princesses. She argues that “the figure of the princess has five different eras, three belonging to feminists of different waves and two belonging to Disney studios” (Rothschild 2). This statement is striking as it implies that Disney does not necessarily construct its princesses according to the feminist agenda of the time but would appear to construct its own definition of how a feminist representation of a princess should look and act. With respect to empowered and feminist representation, Mulan is one example of the manner in which a Disney film can make a statement about gender norms.
Given the fact that Mulan was released over twenty years ago and the feminist movement has made serious progress in society since then, it is not only interesting to examine in how far Mulan includes feminist thought, but also how one of the most recent Disney films does, to find out in what ways the portrayal of gender roles has changed. The latest animated film with a female protagonist is Moana and the film has been praised for its independent protagonist and realistic body portrayal. The objective of the upcoming analysis is to point out the different ways in which gender is presented in the films Mulan and Moana in order to find out in how far gender stereotypes become manifest in the films as well as the ways in which they challenge gender stereotyping.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter contextualizes the research by discussing the historical role of Disney films in shaping societal views and introduces the film selections, Mulan and Moana, as sites for analysis.
2. The Representation of Women: This chapter provides a theoretical foundation in feminist theory, intersectionality, and the impact of media representation on gender role development.
3. On Cultures and Ethnicities in a Postcolonial Society: This chapter defines key postcolonial concepts like white supremacy and othering to analyze the authenticity and potential cultural appropriation within Disney’s productions.
4. Bearing Arms or Bearing Sons: Representations of Gender in Mulan and Moana: This chapter performs a detailed analysis of the two films to evaluate how they either challenge or reinforce traditional gender stereotypes.
5. Of Dragons and Voyagers: Representations of Culture in Mulan and Moana: This chapter examines the authenticity of the cultural portrayals by comparing the films' use of music, clothing, and narrative myths against cultural realities.
6. Conclusion: The final chapter synthesizes the findings, reflecting on the evolution of representation in Disney films and the ongoing need for more authentic, inclusive narratives.
7. Bibliography: This section lists all primary and secondary sources referenced throughout the research.
8. Appendix: This section contains source information for the song lyrics referenced in the analysis.
Keywords
Disney, Mulan, Moana, Feminism, Postcolonialism, Gender Roles, Representation, Cultural Appropriation, Othering, Intersectionality, White Supremacy, Film Analysis, Authenticity, Patriarchal Structures, Media Literacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
The thesis investigates how Disney films Mulan and Moana represent gender, culture, and ethnicity, evaluating them through the lenses of postcolonial and feminist theory to determine their authenticity and contribution to gender equality.
What are the primary thematic areas explored?
The work focuses on the evolution of feminist thought, the mechanics of patriarchal society, the representation of non-white ethnicities in Western media, and the impact of cultural appropriation on authentic storytelling.
What is the central research objective?
The goal is to determine if Mulan and Moana manage to move beyond stereotypical, male-dominated narratives to provide healthy, realistic representations of diverse cultures and empowered female protagonists.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The research uses a qualitative film analysis approach, integrating concepts from feminist, postcolonial, and adaptation theory to evaluate character agency, societal depictions, and the authenticity of cultural elements.
What content is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body breaks down feminist history, provides a postcolonial theoretical framework, and performs an in-depth comparative analysis of the female protagonists, gendered family expectations, and the representation of symbols like dragons and wayfinding.
What keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Disney, Feminism, Postcolonialism, Representation, Cultural Appropriation, and Gender Roles.
How does the analysis differentiate between Mulan and Moana?
The analysis highlights that while Mulan often relies on a patriarchal framework and romantic tropes, Moana represents a shift toward higher authenticity, realistic body portrayal, and narratives that are independent of romantic relationships.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding Disney's progress?
The author concludes that while Mulan often reinforces traditional gender roles and performs cultural appropriation, Moana demonstrates a significant improvement in authentic research, community involvement, and the dismantling of harmful stereotypes, signaling a positive trajectory for Disney.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2019, Heading towards Equality? An Analysis of the Representation of Ethnicity, Culture and Gender in Disney’s "Mulan" and "Moana" from Postcolonial and Feminist Perspectives, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1149789
