“Individual Otherness in The Little Mermaid with Regard to Social Hierarchy and Gender” deals with the role of royal characters and how they relate to so called non-elite figures. Additionally, male and female stereotyped characters will be examined with regard to royal male figures and superior and inferior female ones. The last point will be a discussion of the good-bad relationship by concentrating exclusively on Ariel and Ursula.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Representation of Social Hierarchy
2.1 Elite characters
2.2 Non-elite characters
2.2.1 People on land
2.2.1.1 Grimsby
2.2.1.2 Louis
2.2.2 Merpeople
2.2.2.1 Sebastian
2.2.2.2 Flotsam and Jetsam
2.2.3 Conclusion
3. Representation of Gender
3.1 Male elite characters
3.1.1 Prince Eric
3.1.2 Triton
3.2 Representation of female characters
3.2.1 Ariel as the ‘ideal’ woman
3.2.2 Minor female characters
4. Representation of ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ women
4.1 Ariel and Ursula
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This research paper examines how individual otherness is constructed in Disney’s "The Little Mermaid," focusing on the interplay between social hierarchy and gender roles. The analysis investigates how royal characters are contrasted with non-elite figures and how gender stereotypes reinforce the power dynamics between male and female characters, ultimately exploring the binary representation of "good" and "bad" women through Ariel and Ursula.
- Construction of social hierarchies and elite vs. non-elite status.
- Examination of gender stereotypes and patriarchal structures in Disney films.
- Analysis of male elite figures like Prince Eric and King Triton.
- Representation of female characters and the "ideal woman" archetype.
- The dichotomy of "good" and "bad" in the characterizations of Ariel and Ursula.
Excerpt from the Book
2. Representation of social hierarchy
In Disney’s animated movies “people are ranked according to attributes such as gender, skin color, and wealth as part of a naturalized world order”1. One can state that it is due to values as their worth, their ability and their authority2 that they have either a high or a low social status and that these features portray a character already at his very first appearance as ‘above’ or ‘below’. Disney’s privileged characters in The Little Mermaid are actually white, American, heterosexual,3 with no villainy at all and “never abus[ing] their authority”4, while the subordinate characters are mostly coloured, not attractive and accept the hierarchical class system to which they have to submit. Moreover, it is suggested that only a prince and a princess can live happily ever after while the subordinate characters are content with their own lives as servants, sailors and menials.5
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The author outlines the scope of the paper, specifically the analysis of social status, gender roles, and the binary nature of the conflict between Ariel and Ursula.
2. Representation of Social Hierarchy: This section details how characters are ranked by attributes like gender and wealth, establishing a clear division between elite and subordinate figures who accept their predetermined societal roles.
3. Representation of Gender: The chapter explores the patriarchal nature of the film's world, analyzing how male characters like Eric and Triton embody authority while female characters are categorized based on their adherence to "ideal" womanhood.
4. Representation of ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ women: The author contrasts the physical and behavioral attributes of Ariel and Ursula, illustrating how Disney employs visual metaphors to simplify the dichotomy of good versus evil.
5. Conclusion: The research summarizes that Disney films reinforce traditional social and gender hierarchies, suggesting that such role models require parental mediation to ensure children understand the deeper ideological implications.
Keywords
Disney, The Little Mermaid, Social Hierarchy, Gender Roles, Patriarchal Order, Elite Characters, Subordinate Characters, Ariel, Ursula, Gender Stereotypes, Otherness, Virgin-Whore Dichotomy, Representation, Film Analysis, Identity Construction
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper examines how "The Little Mermaid" constructs individual otherness by reinforcing social hierarchies and traditional gender roles within a patriarchal framework.
Which thematic areas does the author cover?
The study covers the representation of social hierarchy, the construction of gendered stereotypes, and the moral binary of "good" vs. "bad" characters.
What is the core research objective?
The goal is to analyze how Disney characters are positioned within social and power structures and how these representations perpetuate specific societal values.
What methodology is employed in this study?
The author uses a qualitative analysis of film characters, examining their behavior, appearance, social status, and interactions to highlight ideological patterns.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the text?
The main body focuses on distinguishing elite and non-elite characters, analyzing male authority figures like Prince Eric and King Triton, and deconstructing the binary depiction of female characters.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Disney, social hierarchy, gender roles, patriarchal order, otherness, and character representation.
How does the author characterize the role of non-elite characters like Sebastian?
The author views these characters as "entertainers" or "slaves" who lack individual agency and exist primarily to support the goals of the elite characters.
What is the conclusion regarding Ariel’s development?
The paper concludes that Ariel's trajectory from an independent dreamer to a subservient wife illustrates Disney’s emphasis on marriage as the ultimate goal for women.
- Quote paper
- Hanna M. Stoll (Author), 2005, Individual Otherness in Disney's "The Little Mermaid" with Regard to Social Hierarchy and Gender, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/51190
