Behind the Magic. An Examination of Gender Representations in Disney Princess Feature-length Animations

Table of Contents

• Chapter One: Introduction
  • The Development of the ‘Mouse House'
  • Happily Ever After
• Chapter 2: Investigating Gender
  • Stereotypical Ideas of Gender
  • Explaining Gender Differences
  • Gender in Hollywood Cinema
  • Gender Stereotypes in Disney
• Chapter 3: The Study
  • Methodology
  • Findings
• Chapter 4: Discussion
  • The Damsel in Distress and the Knight in Shining Armour
  • The Independent Heroine and the Feminised Man
  • The Post-Feminist Era?

Objectives and Key Themes

This study aims to investigate the portrayal of gender in Disney's feature-length animations that are part of the Princess Collection. It aims to assess the extent to which the princes and princesses in these films conform to traditional gender stereotypes. The study will specifically examine how these representations have evolved over time, reflecting the changing attitudes towards gender in mainstream society.

• The socialising function of media sources and its impact on children
• The evolution of Disney and its princess franchise
• The influence of gender stereotypes in Disney animated films
• The impact of Disney's cultural influence on children's entertainment
• The portrayal of gender in Hollywood cinema and its impact on societal norms

Chapter Summaries

Chapter One introduces the study and its focus on the gender representations in Disney Princess films. It explores the rise of Disney as a cultural force and the development of the princess franchise. This chapter situates the study within the broader context of the debate on gender in media and the socialising function of children's entertainment. Chapter Two delves into the concept of gender stereotypes, examining their historical development and their influence on societal norms. It discusses how these stereotypes have been portrayed in Hollywood cinema and explores the criticisms directed at Disney films for their depiction of gender.

Chapter Three outlines the methodology employed in the study. It details the content analysis conducted on three Disney Princess films: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Beauty and the Beast (1991), and Frozen (2013). The chapter briefly discusses the initial findings and the methods used for data collection and analysis.

Chapter Four delves into the interpretation of the findings. It explores how the Disney princesses have evolved from passive damsels in distress to more active and dynamic characters. It also discusses the portrayal of male characters and whether they have experienced similar changes. The chapter concludes with a critical analysis of the findings in the context of contemporary society and its evolving understanding of gender.

Keywords

This study centers on the key concepts of gender representation, Disney animation, princess franchise, content analysis, gender stereotypes, Hollywood cinema, and the evolution of gender roles in society. It explores the impact of media representation on children and the cultural significance of Disney's productions.