Heading towards Equality? An Analysis of the Representation of Ethnicity, Culture and Gender in Disney’s "Mulan" and "Moana" from Postcolonial and Feminist Perspectives

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

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.