Two big names in the Disney debate are Henry A. Giroux and Rebecca-Anne C. Do Rozario, and I thought it would be good to summarize some of their work as another starting point when tackling my final paper. These pieces, The Disneyfication of Children’s Culture and The Princess and the Magic Kingdom: Beyond Nostalgia, the Function of the Disney Princess, lays out the initial framework of information the reader will need to knowledgeably delve into the topic.
Disneyfication of Children's Culture and the Princess
In this piece, Giroux does an excellent job both posing and answering the question "why study Disney?" and emphasizes the need of media literacy in both adults (parents, educators, and cultural workers) and youth. He addresses the discussion of children's culture and how the branch of entertainment extends to a myriad of other spheres that craft a child's understanding of societal norms. He coins the term "teaching machine" as an idea that Disney can function on various different platforms in which conservative views are highlighted, and then explains that Disney has the power to subtly instill those values in its audience through "Disneyfication." The text also specifically touches on the gender stereotypes portrayed in Disney's princess films and recurring messages Disney delivers. These include the concept that in order for females to feel empowered, they must find a noble, handsome man and that physical appearance dictates good versus evil when looking at the stark contrast in physical appearance in villains compared to protagonists. It lastly dissects the iconic brand of innocence Disney has self composed and makes it clear that, though Disney is typically viewed as a trademark of innocence in the American eye, it predominately functions as a cooperate giant and cultural institution. Giroux calls us consumers to action to compare both dominate and oppositional reading of their films' messages and be conscientious about the messages we let our children absorb.
The Princess and the Magic Kingdom: Beyond Nostalgia, the Function of the Disney Princess
Do Rozario analyzes the themes found in Disney princess films split by era. She first discusses the commonalities found in the first wave princess
storylines and then progresses to explain how the second wave princess film’s messages and similarities change. Key themes she found in the first
wave motion pictures include: the promotion of woman doing housework and its representation as it being “fun,” the damsel in distress and
passive nature of the princess, an explicit desire and all consuming dream for a man, an obedient attitude towards elders, and the promotion of the
concept of love at first sight. As time progresses and Walt’s princesses become Team Disney’s princesses some primary messages change. In the
second wave princess films, the father daughter relationship in emphasized and the princess becomes rebellious against her father’s conservative
rules. She falls in love, still within an incredibly short time span, with a man that is not endorsed my her father. The target audience also expands
from from family oriented to teenagers as well.
storylines and then progresses to explain how the second wave princess film’s messages and similarities change. Key themes she found in the first
wave motion pictures include: the promotion of woman doing housework and its representation as it being “fun,” the damsel in distress and
passive nature of the princess, an explicit desire and all consuming dream for a man, an obedient attitude towards elders, and the promotion of the
concept of love at first sight. As time progresses and Walt’s princesses become Team Disney’s princesses some primary messages change. In the
second wave princess films, the father daughter relationship in emphasized and the princess becomes rebellious against her father’s conservative
rules. She falls in love, still within an incredibly short time span, with a man that is not endorsed my her father. The target audience also expands
from from family oriented to teenagers as well.
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