Title

Broader title

Adrea Gladney
University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Commented [1]: I really like that you want to include a

broad title, to help readers see the overall point of your
research. For the title, I would recommend asking
yourself what it is that you want your entire paper to
answer. By doing this, it will help you to come up with a
broad title that incorporates all of your sources under
one common theme.

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Background and Introduction

The Disney Corporation has maintained tremendous success over the years and continues
to grow. It all started with a mouse and a dream and has now become one of the biggest brands

Commented [2]: I liked the way your introduction

sounded overall. It included detail description on what
you were to cover for the rest of the paper. One
suggestion that could make it better is to separate your
first paragraph. In your first paragraph, you seemed to
include a majority of your work, making it seem a bit
run on. If you were to separate into various paragraphs,
the overall flow may sound even better.

in the world. People come from all over to visit their parks and their shows and films are like no
other. Their newest films like The Princess and the Frog and Brave, are breaking barriers and
introducing diversity to a new generation of children. Other films such as The Lion King have
not only withstood the test of times, bringing enjoyment to many generations, but have also
continued to evolve and generate new revenue. These movies are considered timeless. Released
in 1994 as Disneys 32nd animated feature film, the original film depicts a lions journey to find
his place in the circle of life. The Lion King was directed by Rodger Allers and Rob Minkoff and
produced by Don Hahn. It was the first Disney animated film to be an original story, but it was
influenced by biblical stories, Shakespeare, and the experience of the many writers who
contributed. The film was the highest grossing movie worldwide in 1994 and its popularity has
been unwavering, appearing still on television channels, movie screens, and Broadway stages
worldwide. However there is also criticism of Disney which argues that they sell dreams and that
their products, movies and attractions have become for the sole purpose of revenue.
In this paper I will be my researching Disneys impact on individuals through film.
Topics of discussion. will concern the unwavering popularity and different paths of success
Disney movies have taken, using The Lion King as an example. It will also discuss criticism of
Disneys process and the corporate side behind the magic Disney is a major brand. Its films,
networks, and other attractions are largely popular and their messages reach a very large diverse

Commented [3]: I like how you kept your introduction

paragraph vague and leading the reader to want to
know more. I feel as though this paragraph switches
ideas half way through and for simplicity i would
recommend breaking this up into two different
paragraphs.

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population. I will examine and discuss the use of stereotypes in Disney films, their impact, and
the reason for their lasting presence over the years.
It is important to note any potential biases I may hold concerning my topic. I have loved
both Disney and The Lion King since I was young. In fact The Lion King is one of my favorite
movies to date. This may cause me to be more lenient in my response to the criticism of the
Disney Corporation.
Literature Review
Now the question is raised what makes a film timeless? What is it about a work that
allows it to remain popular for decades and how can one be sure that it will remain that way for
many more to come? Much of the film industry suggests there are key factors which contribute
to the staying power of a particular film. These factors include strong directors, audience
affection, and gripping stories, but many other things also influence making a movie (Weeks,
2014). In this case writing, animation, directing, production, casting, and music among others are
all important aspects that contributed The Lion Kings success and longevity. The Lion King had
two directors and 29 credited writers which could have been detrimental and caused the film to
move in a boring, less kid friendly direction, but that was a risk worth taking (Barfield, 2013).
The many different writer perspectives reflect a careful and thoughtful process for developing a
gripping story that audiences could connect with. As for having multiple directors there is
probable concern for why that could be problematic. Directors are at the helm of it all and the
good ones usually have a strong point of view, which is crucial to creating a work that will
endure (Weeks, 2014). Having two directors with strong opinions could cause conflict if they did

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not agree but it could also bring about thoughtful collaboration which is what must have took
place to bring about the work that exists today. Steven Spielberg (2012) says what makes a film
timeless is audience affection. Simply put, determining the success of a movie is dependent upon
a combination of ratings and box office numbers which are determined by audiences. A film has
the ability to make an impact; how great that impact is determines if it remains in one's
memories. If you absolutely love something, you'll want to have it forever. Youll also want
share it with others that you love. Its great to be able to share what you love with your children.
This movie has also become one of my childrens favorite movies and thats awesome says
Vincent (2016). The Lion Kings continuing impact on many people through its story and music
has allowed it to remain.
The popularity of The Lion King has also took center stage with the award winning
Broadway adaption, and like the film its popularity seems to be unwavering. Since opening in
1997 it has become one of the most successful. It even broke the record for top-earning title in
box-office history, surpassing the record previously held by The Phantom of the Opera. Julie
Taymor (2011) credits her success to the creativity of herself and her team. She explains that in
order to portray a story one must find the one thing that captures the essence of it all, and for The
Lion King it was the circle, referencing the life, which she incorporated in every detail possible
from props to costumes and set design.
With the success of everything inevitably comes criticism; the probing and picking apart
of a process. You would never think that there would be anything bad to say about a company
whose motto is where dreams come true but, over the years, criticism of the Disney

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corporations has grown. More reproach of Disney and its movies center around the portrayal
women and men in archetypical roles, which makes for a good story but teaches children that
that is the norm. Take Disneys princesses for example, they all fit the damsel in distress
archetype, and Disneys heroes are all good looking, fair skinned, and lean. The images we see
shape our opinions and views on society and its roles. As Disney has continued to evolve, there
is no doubt that their new movies aim to break stereotypes of the typical fairytale. Movies like
Brave teach girls that they dont need to wait for a Prince Charming to come and rescue them,
but instead they have the power and courage inside themselves to write their own destiny. The
Princess and the Frog depicts Disneys first African American princess, a strong and determined
young lady who is also beautiful and a figure of inspiration to many young Africa America girls.
This movie had the potential to definitely spark controversy and inspiration among many
people says Rankin (2016) who was encouraged by seeing an African American princess as a
lead heroine in Disney film, being a young African America girl herself. Movies such as these
are examples of how Disney can have a positive impact through its message.
Other critics attack Disneys use of realism and naturalism in their animation, arguing
that by doing so they abandoned animations essence by conforming to culture (Jenkins, 2013).
However, Jenkins (2013) argues that classic Disney movies create a unique form of time image
that allows audiences to feel something and connect it to the meaning of life by showing the
becoming life of the cartoon. Others critique Disney for its methods behind all the magic. They
attack Disney saying that it utilizes a capitalist approach to entertainment by appealing to people
with a utopian fantasy (Shortsleeve, 2004). Disney promotes this fantasy not only in movies,
where every ending is a good one and it all turns out great, but also in Disneys parks where they

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sell this fantasy in the form of a two-day park hopper. In regards to The Lion King it has been
argued that it too is all a part of the corporate circle of life (Lapin, 2011). The Lion King II was
relevant, The Lion King 1 was also relevant by putting a twist on the original and telling it
from a different perspective, but then Disney began to release the original Lion King in theaters
and in IMAX for people to relive the original release, Then the movie came out in 3-D. Lapin
(2011) argues that the 3-D release was nothing more than another opportunity to make money
and that it in fact takes away from the quality of the classic.
Entering the Conversation
Disney is representative of innocence, magic, imagination, and amusement for children
and adults alike. However, there are major corporate workings behind the scenes that many never
give much thought to. Its corporate holdings include television networks, Hollywood cinema,
radio stations, sports teams, publishing companies, amusement parks, and retail stores among
others (Tavin, 2003). All of these outlets enable Disney to have a great deal of power and
influence as it relates to the media and the images and ideas it promotes. Popular culture and the
media play a significant role in ones learning and perception of oneself and the world around
them, especially for children and young adults. As one of the largest media companies in the
world, whose full-length animated films have been a popular form of entertainment for more
than 60 years, there is no doubt that there messages and ideals have had an impression on the
ideals and views of people. Studies have been conducted in order to analyze popular animated
Disney films according to principles of society including gender and race. Children learn about
these societal constructions a number of different sources, but media holds substantial influence

Commented [4]: After reading your literature review, I

have a much better understanding of how your
research has helped you to form a few themes. Your
details are really concise, and are grouped together in
ways that clearly support the idea in each paragraph.
Your literature review provides a great set up for your
entering the conversation piece! Nicely done!
Commented [5]: Nice job on the 'Entering the
Conversation' section, however I believe it can be even
better. I was a little confused as to what new
information you were bringing to the table. I would
recommend adding a study or TED Talk for this
section. Adding some type of interactive feature will
allow the reader to really understand the information.

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and are powerful sources of learning (Towbin, 2004). Disney media, more specifically its
animated-feature films, is consistent with the portrayal of stereotypes and gender roles through
characters and animation. Many of these films have animated animal characters in which case
stereotypes about animal characters that then generalize to human characters can be examined.
The questions is raised as to why it has taken 60plus years for Disney to break away from the
portrayal of these stereotypes and introduce more diverse characters with less traditional roles?
Gender roles are learned at a young age through observation of people around an
individual and the different activities they partake in. For example people associate pink and blue
with baby gender and toys are given to children based on gender. Girls are given baby dolls,
Barbie play houses and cooking stets, while boys are given basketballs, trucks, and drum sets.
These roles are also learned through the media. More than 200 million people a year watch a
Disney film or home video (Towbin, 2004). Studies show that once children own videos, they
watch them repeatedly, with the same frequency as television. In fact preschool aged children
spend more time hatching videos than adolescents do (Tavin, 2003). Some of the stereotypical
messages that are portrayed in Disney films as it related to gender are that a womans appearance
is valued more than her intellect; women are helpless and in need of protection, as we see in
almost all of the Disney princess moves; women are domestic and likely to marry; overweight
women are ugly, unpleasant, and unmarried. Similar portrayals also apply to men. Men in these
movies primarily use physical means to express their emotions or show no emotions at all, they
are naturally strong and heroic, they have non-domestic jobs, and overweight men have negative
characteristics. Examples of these stereotypes are seen in almost every Disney princess movie in
which the female protagonist is a damsel in distress who is saved by the love of a handsome

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prince. Even in movies like Mulan and Beauty in the Beast where both Belle and Mulan initially
are independent and strong-willed towards the end of the movie they both have a dependence on
the male that they end up with or appear incomplete without their prince charming. Other
stereotypes that involve culture and ethnicity are portrayed through negative representations of
non-dominant cultures, exaggerated class stereotypes, and emphasizing that characters who share
similar values should stay or be together. In The Lion King, the hyenas are portrayed as lower
class, poor, and hungry. They complain that the lions have all of the power in their community
and this accounts for their evils actions throughout the movie making them the villains along
with Scar. The hyenas are also referred to as stupid. There is something to be said about how
animation indirectly peddles stereotypes. The voices of the hyenas sound African American even
though only one of them, Shenzi played by Whoopi Goldberg, was actually voiced by an African
American. They typically spoke in Ebonics throughout the movie which is a stereotypical
characteristic of speech associated black people. The hyenas had no power at all and simply did
what Scar demanded of them only to realize at the end that their leader was never truly looking
out for them. This creates a negative image and even though they are simply animated animals
the characteristics can develop a schema that young viewer subconsciously carry. But its not all
bad. In the movie there is also the message that different cultures can get along. For example,
Rafiki and Mufasa are different animals but good friends and Mufasa teaches Simba to respect
the ways of other animals as it all contribute to the circle of life. Timon, Pumba, and Simba are
another example of different species of animals living in harmony. Yet still, despite this positive
message, the hyenas were shown as less than and were not accepted. This presents the idea that
perhaps tolerance between some groups is acceptable, but not between all groups (Towbin,

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2004). As these Disney movie continue to be a popular part of childhood, stereotypes continue to
be portrayed. Non-dominant groups are portrayed negatively, marginalized, or not portrayed at
all. It took Disney more than 30 years to make a movie with a black Disney princess. Even with
the push toward rejection of traditional gender roles in society it took them until 2012 to make
Brave, the first Disney princess to be her own hero. Lastly In many films, both human and
animal female characters are portrayed as overly sexual and beautiful which can have a major
impact young girls self-concept.
Disney characters have commonly been cited as evidence of the stereotype known as
what is beautiful is good. Social psychological research documented the what-is-beautiful-isgood stereotype as the perception that physically attractive individuals possess more positive
qualities and experience more satisfying life outcomes than do unattractive individuals (Bazzini,
2010). A study conducted and documented within the Journal of Applied Social Psychology
examined the prevalence of the beautygoodness stereotype as depicted in the human characters
in animated Disney films. As predicted, results showed that central characters portrayed more
favorably with regard to goodness were generally rated as more physically attractive than were
secondary or peripheral characters across films. In addition, physical attractiveness of a character
predicted how positively the character was portrayed, above and beyond the characters role.
Questions that require further study relate to why it took so long for Disney to produce films that
break away from the stereotypical fairytale and other societal generalizations and why people
still showing unwavering support and love for something that pushes these things. A major part
of this answer is that its not all bad. Many Disney movies teach great lessons and values and are
simply enjoyable. Another reason why people remain hooked is that stereotypes have become so

Commented [6]: i do see your point in this section but

it and it is interesting following your ideas as they flow
through your words. i would suggest, as i did earlier,
that you break up this mass body of text so that the
reader can have an easier time absorbing your
thoughts and really receiving your overall point.

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mainstream. They are like a default setting that our mind reverts to unless we correct or stop it.
Maybe our own prejudices and bias have served as a buffer and have not allowed them too
clearly recognizes the stereotypical and inaccurate portrayal of cultures, races, genders, and
places
Conclusion
Throughout this paper I have researched the impact the Disney Corporation has on
individuals through film. I have examined how a film can remain largely popular and found that
it has more to do with audience affection than the process of making the movie. Ultimately the
success of a movie depends on the response from consumers that then opens the door for further
promotion of films and new paths of success. Criticism of the Disney process ranges from
feelings that Disney has lost its genuine intentions and that they do things for the sole purpose of
making money to investigating the consistent portrayal of stereotypes and gender roles through
characters and animation. Many feel that Disney has lost its genuine appeal, but it is a
corporation and without substantial revenue could not be able to accomplish and produce all the
things that it does. Furthermore, Disneys target audience is children, and for adults, the child
somewhere in them, and children do not think about the corporate world or the money. They
simply enjoy the moments and memories and they believe in the magic. In that right Disney has
done its job.
My focus centered on the stereotypes in Disney films and how that impacts individuals
view of society. Popular culture and the media play a significant role in one's learning and
perception of oneself and the world around them, especially for children and young adults.

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Studies were outlined and severed as evidence that stereotypes Disney film have an impact
people's schemas. Lastly I explored why it has taken Disney so long to begin to break away from
the stereotypical portrayals and embrace the direction that the general collective society is going
in. I found that it is largely due to individuals unwavering affection for these films. It is possible
that people figure the good outweighs the bad, or maybe individuals are unaware of the depth of
these portrayals.

Commented [7]: In your conclusion, you do a great job

of summarizing our paper as a whole. However, I
would be sure to include ways that other researchers
can add to what you have created with your paper.
Mentioning an overview regarding your entering the
conversation piece in your conclusion would also be a
good way to just touch on the content of what that
piece of your paper covers. I wouldn't go into much
detail, but touching on each piece of your paper in the
conclusion is a great way to give your readers a recap
of what you have covered.

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References
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Bazzini, D., Curtin, L., Joslin, S., Regan, S., & Martz, D. (2010, October). Do Animated Disney
Characters Portray and Promote the BeautyGoodness Stereotype? Journal of Applied
Social Psychology, 40(10), 2687-2709. doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2010.00676.x
Jenkins, E. (2013). Seeing Life in Disney's Mutual Affection-Images. Quarterly Review Of Film
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Lapin, A. (2011). 'The Lion King' In 3-D: All Part Of The Corporate Circle Of
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Rankin, A. (2016, September 19). Assignment One Interview [E-mail interview].
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Universal's Cinematic Spectacular [Interview]. In YouTube. Retrieved September 13,

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Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 15(4). doi:10.1300/J086v15n04_02
Vincent, D. (2016, September). Assignment One Interview [Personal interview].
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