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.
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
Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the evolution of female gender roles in Disney princess films across three distinct historical waves. It aims to demonstrate that Disney heroines have become increasingly assertive and complex over time, moving from passive, submissive archetypes towards self-confident, independent individuals who challenge traditional societal expectations.
- Evolution of gender representation in animated cinema
- Comparative analysis of female archetypes across three generations of Disney films
- Influence of shifting societal norms on character development
- Interplay between traditional "Cardinal Virtues" and modern female empowerment
- The role of "romantic love" and "marriage" in narrative conclusions
Excerpt from the Book
2.1. The first wave: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
The qualities that depict the heroine Snow White are extremely conservative. Working with Barbara Welter’s essay The Cult of True Womanhood: 1820 – 1860, one can easily see how Snow White is the perfect representative of the four cardinal virtues. Welter states that a woman “was the hostage in the home” (Welter 151) which is perfectly symbolized by the very beginning of the story when the heroine is scrubbing the floor of her own castle. “The attributes of True Womanhood, by which a woman judged herself and was judged by her husband, her neighbors and society could be divided into four cardinal virtues – piety, purity, submissiveness and domesticity.” (152) Walt Disney shows her piety for example by letting Snow White kneel in front of the bed praying before going to sleep, trusting in God to turn everything to the best.
Her purity is for instance symbolized by the way she encounters the prince. She is too shy to talk to him when they are standing right next to each other at the well and runs away instead, to bring physical distance between them. Moreover her name Snow White and the white dove she sends to kiss the prince suggest purity as the color white symbolizes innocence. Her submissiveness gets obvious with all characters she meets and also from her physical appearance, the ladylike and gentle way she moves and her soft and kind voice.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the motivation behind the research and provides an overview of the three waves of Disney princess movies based on their release dates.
2. The Changing Role of Women in Walt Disney’s Princess Movies: Analyzes the depiction of female characters, focusing on specific films as case studies for each historical wave.
2.1 The first wave: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937): Discusses the passive, submissive nature of the early Disney princesses and their adherence to conservative "Cardinal Virtues."
2.2 The second wave: Beauty and the Beast (1991): Explores the transition toward stronger, more intellectual female protagonists who rebel against social constraints.
2.2.1 Analysis of female gender roles in Beauty and the Beast: Examines how Belle demonstrates intelligence and self-awareness compared to earlier heroines.
2.2.2 Comparison of the first and second wave of Disney princesses: Contrasts the passivity of early princesses with the active, opinionated nature of second-wave characters.
2.3 The third wave: Frozen (2013): Evaluates the modern shift toward self-discovery and the rejection of traditional love-centered narratives.
2.3.1 Analysis of female gender roles in Frozen: Focuses on Elsa and Anna as strong, complex characters who prioritize sisterhood over conventional romance.
2.3.2 Comparison of the second and third wave of Disney princesses: Highlights the shift from finding a prince to independent self-fulfillment and realistic relationship dynamics.
3. Conclusion: Summarizes the dramatic shift in Disney's portrayal of women and highlights the ongoing need for diverse and healthy female role models.
Keywords
Disney, Princess, Feminism, Gender Roles, Snow White, Belle, Elsa, Anna, Empowerment, Stereotypes, Animation, Media Studies, Cardinal Virtues, Narrative, Patriarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper explores how the depiction of female gender roles has evolved in Walt Disney’s princess movies, tracing changes from passive, domestic characters to active, empowered individuals.
Which films serve as the primary case studies?
The study uses Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (first wave), Beauty and the Beast (second wave), and Frozen (third wave) as representative examples.
How are the historical waves defined?
The waves are defined by their release dates: the 1930s-1950s (first), the 1990s (second), and the post-2009 period (third).
What methodology is applied to the analysis?
The author uses a qualitative analysis approach, referencing feminist theory and literary concepts to interpret character portrayals in relation to changing societal norms.
What main conclusion does the author draw?
The author concludes that Disney heroines have become significantly more complex, moving from one-dimensional figures defined by male discourse to self-sufficient characters with their own motivations.
Which specific themes characterize the third wave of Disney princesses?
The third wave is characterized by "Bildungsroman" elements, self-discovery, sisterhood, and the ridiculing of traditional "love at first sight" tropes.
How does the role of reading change for Disney heroines?
Reading evolves from being non-existent or irrelevant in the first wave to becoming a symbol of intellect, freedom, and independence in the second wave.
Why does the author argue that Snow White represents the "Cardinal Virtues"?
Snow White embodies piety, purity, submissiveness, and domesticity, which the author links to the 19th-century "Cult of True Womanhood" model.
What is the significance of the relationship between Elsa and Anna in Frozen?
Their relationship is portrayed as the heart of the story, showing that acts of true love can exist between family members, thereby rendering a prince unnecessary for the heroine's happy ending.
- 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
