Bewitched by the magical atmosphere these films create, millions of girls are dreaming of becoming a Disney princess one day. Seeing girls and boys re-enact these fairy tales and in that way slip into the role of a princess the thought struck me in the context of my seminar about Feminism, in what way these movies influence children. Which concepts of womanhood do they foster and are these fairy tales really as timeless as the grandparents think they are?
Taking a closer look at the most successful and best known of all Disney princess movies, there are basically three waves, defined by their date of release. The first feature-length animated film Disney created was a story based on the Brother Grimm fairy tale “Schneewittchen”. The Disney movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was premiered in 1937 and was an instant success, followed by Cinderella in 1950 and Sleeping Beauty in 1959. The next wave of princess movies were produced between 1989, starting with Little Mermaid, followed by Beauty and the Best (1991), Aladdin (1992), Pocahontas (1995) and ending in 1998 with Mulan, so basically during the 1990s.
The latest wave of Disney princess films is from 2009 on with The Princess and the Frog, then Tangled (2010), Brave (2012) and the last one was Frozen (2013). This is an enormous timeframe. The 1930s, 40s and 50s provided a completely different audience than the 1990s or the current decade, as society and especially gender roles changed a lot over time. Consequently one can also expect differences in the way the Walt Disney Company chose to depict its characters over the years.
This research paper will show that female gender roles in Disney princess movies respond to the change of society by portraying their Disney heroine much more assertive and less passive over time. To support this thesis one movie from each of the three waves which were introduced above will be analyzed exemplary for the period.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Changing Role of Women in Walt Disney's Princess Movies
- 2.1 The first wave: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
- 2.2 The second wave: Beauty and the Beast (1991)
- 2.2.1 Analysis of female gender roles in Beauty and the Beast
- 2.2.2 Comparison of the first and second wave of Disney princesses
- 2.3 The third wave: Frozen (2013)
- 2.3.1 Analysis of female gender roles in Frozen
- 2.3.2 Comparison of the second and third wave of Disney princesses
- 3. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research paper aims to analyze the evolving portrayal of female gender roles in Walt Disney's princess movies across three distinct waves, defined by their release dates. By examining examples from each wave (Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, and Frozen), the paper seeks to demonstrate how these portrayals reflect societal shifts in gender expectations over time.
- Evolution of female gender roles in Disney princess films.
- The influence of societal changes on the depiction of female characters.
- Comparison of female characters across different eras.
- The impact of Disney princess movies on the perception of womanhood.
- Analysis of the themes of beauty, passivity, and female agency in the films.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the research paper by using the author's personal anecdote about her goddaughter's fascination with Disney princess movies. It introduces the concept of three waves of Disney princess films based on their release dates and highlights the significant societal changes that occurred across those periods. The introduction establishes the central thesis that female gender roles in these films have evolved from passive to more assertive portrayals over time, which is then supported by a detailed analysis of selected films from each wave.
2. The Changing Role of Women in Walt Disney's Princess Movies: This chapter provides a broader context for the analysis by exploring how Disney films, including the princess movies, engage with the audience on various themes, including power, magic, domesticity, beauty, love, and friendship. It emphasizes that each film is a product of its time and reflects prevailing societal views and self-perceptions, notably regarding gender roles. The chapter outlines the methodology, focusing on a representative film from each of the three identified waves to ensure a focused yet comprehensive exploration of the subject matter.
2.1 The first wave: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937): This section analyzes the portrayal of women in Disney's first princess film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It summarizes the plot, highlighting the passive role of Snow White in contrast to her active, villainous stepmother. The analysis focuses on the emphasis placed on Snow White's beauty and passivity, contrasting her with the more active (though villainous) queen. The chapter further examines the absence of intellectual pursuits for Snow White, contrasting this with the queen's use of reading and potions, suggesting a link between intellect and evil in the narrative. The analysis considers the impact of this portrayal on shaping societal views of women during the 1930s.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Disney Princesses, Gender Roles, Feminism, Animation, Film Analysis, Societal Change, Female Agency, Beauty Standards, Passive vs. Assertive, Historical Context.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Evolving Female Gender Roles in Disney Princess Movies
What is the main topic of this research paper?
The research paper analyzes the evolution of female gender roles in Walt Disney's princess movies across three distinct waves, represented by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Beauty and the Beast (1991), and Frozen (2013). It examines how these portrayals reflect societal shifts in gender expectations over time.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores the evolution of female gender roles in Disney princess films, the influence of societal changes on the depiction of female characters, comparisons of female characters across different eras, the impact of Disney princess movies on the perception of womanhood, and an analysis of themes such as beauty, passivity, and female agency.
How are the Disney princess movies categorized in this analysis?
The paper categorizes the Disney princess movies into three waves based on their release dates, reflecting significant societal shifts. Each wave is represented by a key film: Snow White (first wave, representing the 1930s), Beauty and the Beast (second wave, representing the 1990s), and Frozen (third wave, representing the 2010s).
What is the methodology used in this analysis?
The analysis focuses on a representative film from each of the three identified waves to provide a focused yet comprehensive exploration of the evolution of female gender roles. The analysis examines plot summaries, character portrayals, and the societal context surrounding the release of each film.
How does the paper analyze Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)?
The analysis of Snow White highlights Snow White's passive role compared to her active, villainous stepmother. It focuses on the emphasis on Snow White's beauty and passivity and the absence of intellectual pursuits for her, contrasting this with the stepmother's use of intellect and magic. The paper considers the impact of this portrayal on societal views of women in the 1930s.
What aspects of Beauty and the Beast (1991) and Frozen (2013) are analyzed?
The analysis of Beauty and the Beast and Frozen involves a detailed examination of the female characters' roles, comparing them to Snow White's portrayal and to each other. It investigates how these films reflect changes in societal expectations of women and the growing emphasis on female agency and assertiveness. Specific aspects of female gender roles are analyzed in each film.
What is the conclusion of the research paper?
While the specific conclusion isn't detailed in the provided preview, it's implied that the paper demonstrates a clear evolution in the portrayal of female gender roles in Disney princess movies, moving from passive and traditionally feminine representations to more assertive and independent ones, mirroring wider societal shifts.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
The keywords include Disney Princesses, Gender Roles, Feminism, Animation, Film Analysis, Societal Change, Female Agency, Beauty Standards, Passive vs. Assertive, and Historical Context.
- Quote paper
- Sarah Wenzel (Author), 2014, The Changing Role of Women in Disney's Princess Movies. Feminism in the U.S., Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/471472
