Reflection #3

For this class, Decoding Disney, I chose to write my first essay on the villainy that is society and the gendered stereotyped present in Mulan. Like I have stated in prior blog posts, this class has forced me to feel a myriad of emotions. Reading articles by authors such as Giroux, Forbes, and Warner for the first time, authors that are extremely critical of Disney, I was at first naturally shocked. Growing up visiting the theme parks, wearing clothes with Disney characters, and religiously watching Disney movies and television shows, how can you not be shocked. I felt deceived. It’s like finding out your adopted. I guess not that intense, but you get my gist. This feeling of shock quickly transitioned to a deep anger. I grew angry for I felt stupid for buying into their seemingly innocent identity, and I mean “buying in” both literally and figuratively. I felt swindled. Now I am just infatuated with the underlying messages proliferating Disney films, I no longer maintain any animosity. I find underlying gendered stereotypes especially interesting because my sisters were such big Disney fans.

For my second essay in this class I am choosing to respond to “Gender Role Portrayal and the Disney Princesses” by Dawn Elizabeth England, Lara Descartes, and Melissa Collier-Meek. The topic of the essay, gendered stereotypes in Disney products, has captivated me. The essay conducts an original study through content coded analysis that analyzes the development of Disney princesses over time. One of the three hypotheses made was that the gender role portrayal of Disney princesses would become more egalitarian over time.

While in every film the princesses demonstrated more feminine traits than masculine traits, as time progressed princesses demonstrated more and more masculine traits. There hasn’t been a Disney princess movie yet, to my knowledge at least, that has had a princess that portrayed more masculine characteristics than feminine characteristics. Although the authors cite that there are still gendered stereotypes littering even the most recent Disney princess films, they ultimately claim that the evidence confirms their hypothesis that Disney films have portrayed more egalitarian gender roles as time has moved on.

I would have to disagree with the confirmation of such a hypothesis. By giving the princess some characteristics that three scholars associate with being masculine does not make the portrayal of gender roles more egalitarian. To associate a more egalitarian approach to the portrayal of gender roles with allotting Disney princesses with more masculine qualities in my opinion is offensive. Additionally, Disney makes these princesses more masculine but then they are disparaged for not acting like the stereotypical princess Disney would rather continue to create.

In movies released as recent as Pocahontas and Mulan, the princesses both posses more masculine attributes than any previous Disney princess. However, both characters don’t fit the mold that their respective societies have created for the two princesses; well, I guess Disney really created these molds for them. In Mulan, Mulan is independent and assertive, yet it is explicit from the start with Mulan’s father praying that Mulan will impress a matchmaker, for Mulan’s role in society is as a bride and nothing more. 

Additionally, Pocahontas is a free-spirited and independent woman; she possesses the most masculine characteristics of any Disney princess. However, she is made out to be an object by her father, the chief of the village. Pocahontas’ father makes her feel pressured to marry a successful warrior by referring to her dead mother and how honorable her role as his wife was. 

Due to their oppressive societies both characters are often shunned for being different. Mulan’s father tells her she has brought great dishonor to the family for speaking to a man, the emperor’s counselor, without being spoken to.

 

Additionally, Pocahontas’ father says she has shamed the family for leaving their village.

 

Pretty serious words for offenses as minor as speaking without being spoken to and sneaking out.

Overall, I disagree with England, Descartes, and Collier-Meek’s conclusion that the Disney princess line’s portrayal of Disney roles has grown more egalitarian over time. In my opinion, if we classify more masculine characteristics for woman more egalitarian, Disney has made a half-hearted attempt to convey a trend towards a more egalitarian portrayal of gender roles.

I NEED TO GO TO DISNEY WORLD

I sadly must admit that I haven't been to Disney World in 8 years. While doing a little Disney news searching, I came across this article (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article3866956/From-food-trucks-celebrity-chefs-Walt-Disney-World-unveils-revamped-dining-destination-offering-50-different-eateries.html ). The article talks about the recent unveiling of Disney Springs, a vibrant neighborhood that offers fifty different eateries. While I'll miss walking around with a turkey leg in what used to be Downtown Disney, I can't say I am too upset to see such upscale dining at Disney. I need to be back and I need this food...like now.The family group chat is officially getting blown up about New Years at Disney World.

Response to Amanda Putnam

From the start I notice that Amanda Putnam has been keeping up with her They Say/I Say reading. She opens her article from the start with a relevant quote and draws readers in. However, I am confused by her introduction considering most of it revolves around finding a Disney film without a “mean lady”. Her thesis statement isn’t very explanatory, but the way she describes the revelation she discovered is done so in a manner that further draws in the audience. Overall, her introduction doesn't really summarize her argument.

While Putnam reinforces the idea of “hyper-heterosexual” princes and princesses that fall in love, her main focus is the clear pattern that can be seen in the appearance of villains in Disney films. Putnam argues that majority of Disney villains portray transgendered characteristics. However, Putnam does a poor and offensive job explaining her view of the term ‘transgendered’ as an adjective describing Disney villains.

Putnam offers several examples and facts to support her claim. For example, she refers to the masculine qualities of Cinderella’s step sisters and step mother. I disagreed with this first example considering Cinderella’s stepsisters’ tendencies to tend to physical appearance, to show emotion, and to have affection for the Prince are considered to be feminine qualities.  I found this first example to be very polarizing. On one hand, Putnam is deploring Disney for making characters that’s gender identity isn’t necessarily congruent with their sex. On the other hand, calling the stepsisters from Cinderella transgendered because they don’t have a feminine body further perpetuates the association with transgendered and villainy. Additionally, Putnam only cites the stepsisters’ physical appearance as an example and by doing so she unconsciously associates women’s gender identity with her appearance.

Ultimately, Putnam makes up for her Cinderella blunder when she refers to Ursula as an example of transgendered Disney villains. Although a female, she is in my mind the only potentially transgendered Disney villain, with regards to the actual definition of transgendered. A massive octopus, Ursula looks like a walking, or should I say swimming, cross dresser. The hyperbole that is her female appearance combined with Ursula’s deep, raspy voice only further substantiates Putnam’s case. A lonely witch, Ursula’s advice to Ariel of what men want only further emphasizes that she is indeed a man. Furthermore, Putnam refers to the common idea that Ursula’s appearance and manly voice was based off the characteristics of Divine, a famous drag queen.

There is undoubtedly gender role portrayal present in Disney films that stereotype what a man should be like and what a female should be like. This phenomenon further perpetuates outdated gender roles to our children and continues to establish incorrect norms. Before this article I never thought of the idea of Disney villains being characterized as transgendered. While I agree with Putnam’s claim that Disney villains don’t fit the mold Disney has created for males and females, I disagree with the claim that Disney villains can be characterized as being transgendered. Putnam’s definition of transgendered is off putting and not correct. The only exception is Ursula who can actually be characterized as transgendered. Lastly, I agree with the point of Putnam’s article. Putnam seeks to disparage Disney for associating feminine men and masculine women with wickedness.

Need A Hug

I have an essay due and a midterm on monday. I need a hug, but I can't find someone to hug me despite how many random people I ask. Oh well, guess I will just watch this Best Disney Hugs video to keep me sane. I highly suggest doing the same.


https://www.facebook.com/FrozenDisneyOlaf/videos/vb.312617092226519/705925859562305/?type=2&theater

Dap Game Revolutionized

The way I have dapped up my friends has remained relatively unchanged. Also, dapping is another word for a high five/handshake.


However, Pocahontas, has completely revolutionized my dap game. From now on I am solely saying "Wingato", the way Pocahontas' tribe says "hello". It has a ring to it that has me captured. If you start hearing people on campus say "Wingato", you know who set the trend.

Aladdin Reflection

I grew up a Disney movie junkie and how could I not with the multitude of movies that came out throughout my childhood. I never thought to criticize or deeply analyze Disney films, so for me Aladdin was just a fun, innocent movie, but Disney had me duped. Aladdin was not just about flying carpets, great music and a very entertaining genie, it was about subtly disparaging the Middle East post the Gulf War.

The movie begins with a song describing Arabia as “barbaric”. Right off the bat Disney depicts the Middle East in a negative light, and by doing so has molded dissent into every child that has seen the film.  In looking further into these disturbing view of Disney, I discovered that the original words of that song called Arabia a place where they will “cut off your ear if they don’t like your face”. Due to the outrage of the arab community, those words were eventually changed, but the term “barbaric” was left in. I believe “barbaric” was left in solely to keep Disney’s stance on the Middle East perfectly clear.  

The cruelty depicted of the arabs was further perpetuated in the character of Jafar. My first impression of Jafar is that his skin is dark and grey and his eyes glow with a devilish hue. While he appears scary with his deep set eyes and black and red clothing, he is rather feminine. It appears he is wearing eye shadow, has long hair like a girl, and has a prissy demeanor. Jafar always appears in the movie as if he is in a shadow, skulking about and making his evil plans.

Another character that adds to the clear Disney anti-arab sentiment was the Peddler. He was actually the narrator that sang the opening song, a song that spoke against Arabia. Here was a slick salesman trying to peddle his goods in any way possible.  He especially was looking to sell a lamp which held the Genie. He too appeared to always be in the shadows, also with dark and greyish skin. He is what I like to call a slimy schemer. Perhaps the most apparent trait of the Peddler was his turban. It appeared to be way too large for his head and made him look like a caricature of what an arab should look like. Even Aladdin himself is really just a street child, a thief.  We are introduced to him when he is stealing a loaf of bread.  Yet, he is both villain and hero as he gives that stolen bread to two young orphans. However, he is continually portrayed as having no value other than his good looks and the help of the Genie. All of these portrayals cast Middle Easterners in a negative light.

Lastly, it is also interesting to note the representation of arab women in the movie.  The depiction of Arab women in the movie Aladdin, especially of Jasmine, could not be further from the truthful appearance of the traditional Middle Eastern woman. These women in the movie appear with barely any clothing on in an area where women rarely show skin.  Little bikini tops and sheer harem pants make the Arabian women appear to be free and showy with their bodies. This is a clear juxtaposition of the truth since it is more the norm that an Arabian woman would be covered completely.  In the movie Aladdin the women dance suggestively in the streets, but women in Arab countries actually have very little freedom and would be condemned for such behavior.

Pocahontas Live Blog

Wow my man John Smith is hyped up from the start. I am talking Brandon Ingram coming to Duke as a freshman hype. We don’t see him at the start but all we hear about is what an Indian killer he is and how he has gone up against some of the most savage beings this world has to offer. Out first sight of John Smith isn’t disappointing; he is tall, strong, and good looking. His blonde hair and blue eyes make him look angelic.

Before the film I had to brace myself for how historically incorrect Pocahontas would be. I acted smartly because off the bat the film has a pretty questionable song. Sailors are singing “The Virginia Company” in a jolly way, almost celebrating the Virginia Company, a joint stock company that sought to create settlements in North America. Right from the start of the film, characters are celebrating a company that essentially were the trailblazers for the decimation of Native Americans, the largest genocide North America has ever seen.

Before we know it we get to see the acclaimed John Smith go to work. This man definitely lives up to the hype created for him. A man falls overboard in a storm, and while Governor Radcliffe orders to continue, John Smith defies those orders. John Smith ties a rope to him self and courageously dives into the stormy waters and saves the man.

It is at his point that we get our first visual of Governor Radcliff, the stereotypical Disney villain. Right off the bat I can compare Governor Radcliff to Ursula. They have very similar vibes, are very evil appearing, and wear dark purples and pinks. While Ursula is a manly female, Governor Radcliffe on the other hand is a feminine male, this can be demonstrated by the eye shadow it seems he wears.

I was most shocked by Pocahontas’ appearance. She is still a child and lives in the woods, yet she is beautiful and well put together. She looks closer to 30 than she does to being a teenager. Classic example of Disney further perpetuating the idea of a mold that women should fit. When further analyzing Pocahontas, one cant help but draw comparisons to Mulan. Both girls are adventurous and free spirited; they don’t fit the mold that society has created for them. Pocahontas’s curious spirit can be seen through the song “Just Around the Riverbend” and the scene that accompanies it. Pocahontas and Mulan both get help from friendly animals, one of which that can fly. However, their circumstances are very different. Pocahontas feels pressured to marry a warrior she doesn’t love by her father, the chief of the village. She tells her father that it would be an honor to be a source of wisdom to the village, but that is not where her heart truly lies.

I kind of draw comparisons between Governor Radcliffe and Donald Trump. Both are greedy, selfish, and entitled. Similar to how Donald Trump has been rejected and disparaged by the old money elite in New York City, Governor Radcliffe is constantly made fun of by the aristocrats and high court members of England. Governor Radcliffe sees this opportunity to get back at all those who have mocked him, very similar to Trumps run for President of the United States.