Are princesses still living happily ever after or did they change? This paper seeks out to answer this question by a taking a look at fairy tales and their Disney movie adaptions. It will be argued that a comparison of Disney films and traditional fairytales offers a great possibility to teach gender. The goal of this paper is, therefore, to enhance the understanding of older and newer storytelling concerning gender and its benefits for teaching English as a foreign language.
Listening to marvelous tales and stories is and has always been omnipresent in children’s life. Everyone knows the Brothers Grimm and Disney who are popular for their fantastic stories. These stories have been patterns for many Disney movies that have become omnipresent and essential in todays media. Especially Disney is very popular among young students. It is obvious that children are likely to identify with these stories. Consequently, it is important to analyze views and values that are presented in these newer films in comparison to older and more traditional Grimm fairytales.
The first part of this paper offers a description of gender roles and depictions in Grimm and Disney in order to promote the understanding of the two genres. Moreover, there will be a focus on the development of Disney's gender depiction because of the obvious change in their portrayal of female characters. In the second part, then, these theoretical ideas and background information are applied to two concrete stories by Grimm and Disney. Firstly, the fairytale "Der Froschkönig oder der eiserne Heinrich" will be analyzed concerning its depiction of gender. Secondly, Disney’s adapted film "The Princess and the Frog" will also be analyzed according to its depiction of gender and the change that has been made since Grimm's story. The third part deals with the concrete benefits of teaching gender through these two stories. This chapter will also focus on the teaching potential of these Disney films and the learning outcome. To sum up, the third part of this work illustrates the potential that a comparison of Grimms' and Disney’s depiction of gender offers.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. DEVELOPMENT OF GENDER IN GRIMM AND DISNEY
2.1 PRINCESSES AND FARMERS GIRLS - GENDER IN GRIMM'S FAIRYTALES
2.2 WICKED WITCHES AND SLEEPING BEAUTIES - GENDER IN DISNEY
3. BRINGING TOGETHER GRIMM AND DISNEY – CONCRETE ANALYSIS OF GENDER
3.1 DER FROSCHKÖNIG– HOW THE STORY HAS BEEN TOLD ORIGINALLY
3.2 THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG – HOW THE STORY IS BEING TOLD TODAY
4. BENEFIT OF TEACHING GENDER THROUGH FAIRYTALE ADAPTIONS LIKE DISNEY’S THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG
5. CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Core Themes
The primary objective of this work is to explore the evolution of gender representation from traditional Brothers Grimm fairytales to contemporary Disney film adaptations. By analyzing these shifts, the paper evaluates how such comparisons can serve as a pedagogical tool in the EFL (English as a Foreign Language) classroom to foster critical awareness of gender roles and societal constructs among students.
- Theoretical analysis of gender depictions in Grimm fairytales versus Disney films.
- Examination of the "classic," "Middle," and "Eisner" eras of Disney character portrayals.
- Comparative case study of "Der Froschkönig" and "The Princess and the Frog."
- Pedagogical benefits of using fairytale adaptations to discuss gender and cultural identity.
- Critical reflection on the influence of media on student perceptions of societal norms.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 The Princess and the Frog – How the Story Is Being Told Today
The film is the story of a young, African-American woman named Tiana. At the beginning it is remarkable that Tiana’s father is shown multiple times cooking for his family and doing domestic work with great joy. Tiana’s mother, on the other hand, is never shown cooking or sewing. Here, the gender roles are completely reversed. Tiana’s father is shown performing a more feminine role and her mother, even though she is a seamstress, a typically woman’s job, is shown a more masculine role. Tiana’s feminist ideas are shown from a very early age as she already shows her dislike for fairytales in which the prince saves the princess. She is also very shocked when she is being told the traditional fairytale of the Froschkönig. She says that “There is no way in this whole wide world I would ever, ever, ever, I mean, never kiss a frog!” (The princess and the frog 2009: 00:32). Kissing the prince in Grimm’s fairytale is associated with a happy ending for the princess. Tiana rejects the idea of needing a prince or man to save her, as she sees herself to be an independent and strong woman that can live on her own. On the other hand, Charlotte LaBouff is displayed as a girl with more traditional views of femininity and female roles. Charlotte states that “I would do it, I would kiss a frog, I would kiss a hundred frogs if I could marry a prince and be a princess” (ibid.: 00:34). The idea of needing a man to achieve a happily ever after is even enforced during the film. Tiana always states that she makes the choice if and when she wants to marry “Mama! I don’t have time for dancing. That’s just going to have to wait a while” (ibid.: 01:02). She is also aware that society is likely to say that she will not fulfill her dreams but she always stays strong and believes in herself. For example in her song “Almost There” she says “People down here think I’m crazy but I don’t care”(ibid.: 01:25). Tiana only kisses him because he offers her
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: This chapter outlines the omnipresence of Grimm and Disney tales in children's lives and argues for the necessity of analyzing their gender portrayals in the EFL classroom.
2. DEVELOPMENT OF GENDER IN GRIMM AND DISNEY: This section provides a theoretical framework regarding traditional female roles in Grimm's collections and traces the evolution of gender representation across Disney's three cinematic eras.
3. BRINGING TOGETHER GRIMM AND DISNEY – CONCRETE ANALYSIS OF GENDER: This chapter applies the previously established theoretical background to a comparative analysis of "Der Froschkönig" and "The Princess and the Frog," highlighting the shift from passive to independent female protagonists.
4. BENEFIT OF TEACHING GENDER THROUGH FAIRYTALE ADAPTIONS LIKE DISNEY’S THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG: This section discusses the pedagogical potential of using these narratives to help students reflect on societal gender roles and media literacy.
5. CONCLUSION: The final chapter summarizes the findings, emphasizing that analyzing these adaptations enhances students' critical awareness and their ability to participate in societal discussions on gender.
Keywords
Gender Roles, Brothers Grimm, Disney, The Princess and the Frog, Der Froschkönig, Fairytale Adaptations, EFL Classroom, Feminism, Media Literacy, Gender Awareness, Cultural Mirror, Female Representation, Social Values, Pedagogical Potential, Identity Formation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines how gender roles have been portrayed in traditional Grimm fairytales versus contemporary Disney movies and why this comparison is a valuable subject for English language teaching.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include the historical development of female character depictions, the evolution of Disney's representation of women, and the intersection of media, culture, and gender ideology.
What is the primary goal of the research?
The goal is to demonstrate that comparing older fairytales with modern adaptations helps students develop critical gender awareness and media competence.
Which scientific method is applied?
The paper uses a comparative literary and media analysis, contrasting original source material with modern cinematic adaptations to identify shifts in societal values.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers the theoretical classification of gender in Grimm’s tales, the three distinct eras of Disney animation, and a specific case study comparing "Der Froschkönig" with "The Princess and the Frog."
Which keywords best describe this study?
The study is best characterized by terms such as Gender Roles, Fairytale Adaptations, EFL Classroom, Media Literacy, and Female Representation.
How does Tiana from "The Princess and the Frog" differ from traditional Grimm princesses?
Unlike traditional princesses who are often passive and dependent on a prince for salvation, Tiana is characterized as a strong, independent, and goal-oriented woman who is self-sufficient.
Why does the author argue that Disney films act as a "cultural mirror"?
The author argues this because Disney films reflect the evolving societal views on feminism and gender norms throughout different historical periods.
What role does the "Eisner era" play in the history of Disney character portrayal?
The "Eisner era" represents a significant shift where female characters began to be depicted with more agency, moving away from being solely defined by marriage or domesticity.
How can teachers use these findings in a classroom setting?
Teachers can use these materials to encourage students to reflect on their own perceptions of gender, improve their media literacy, and engage in respectful discussions about social change.
- Citar trabajo
- Katharina Dorn (Autor), 2017, Teaching Gender through Fairytale Adaptions. Using the Brothers Grimm and Disney in the Classroom, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/376038
