Gender representation in film is a reflection on gender roles and ideas in society, and with every change and constant in these socially constructed differences it is subsequently seen in film. By looking through the sociological perspective the contrasts in the films beauty and the beast (1959) and Maleficent (2014) can be understood by looking at events in society and the creators of Disney films in addition with applying symbolic interactionism and sociological concepts and theories from Raewynn Connell and Giroux.
Changes in gender portrayal highlights changing ideas of masculinity and femininity and can be understood through looking through an interactionist perspective at the connection between the history and biography (Mills C, cited …show more content…
Beauty and the beast (1959) shows a more traditional gender model while Maleficent (2014 shows a progressive gender model. Belle is depicted through a traditional framework, with traditional feminine qualities such as emotional, sensitive and domestic which …show more content…
Civil rights and feminism movements surrounding inequality and critical analysis from sociologists and industry experts (Eshholz, Bufkin, Long, 2000) has had a correlation with the changing representation of females and males in Disney films which is seen in Beauty and the beast (1959) and Maleficent (2014). Belle and Gaston are heavily stereotyped both exhibit hegemonic masculinity and femininity both being at the top of the gender hierarchy (Connell R, cited in Possamai, Henslin, 2014). Both characters are restricted by the assumed norms, roles and ideas associated with their attributes. Gaston’s structural mobility is limitless while Belles is limited which is reflected in the limitations of women in society in the time period (Dowd, 2012), with women unable to get an ivy league education, get a credit card and equal treatment in the workplace (Mclaughlin,2014). This one dimensional framework seen in Beauty and the beast evolved into having multi-faceted, complex characters (England, Descartes, Meek, 2011) seen in Maleficent (2014). This change is seen where Maleficent is an over powering character which is able to defeat a whole army of men in the beginning of the film, where she exhibits bravery, strength and courage to defend her way of life and rescue Aurora in the final act. Maleficent character is evidently a
Changes in gender portrayal highlights changing ideas of masculinity and femininity and can be understood through looking through an interactionist perspective at the connection between the history and biography (Mills C, cited …show more content…
Beauty and the beast (1959) shows a more traditional gender model while Maleficent (2014 shows a progressive gender model. Belle is depicted through a traditional framework, with traditional feminine qualities such as emotional, sensitive and domestic which …show more content…
Civil rights and feminism movements surrounding inequality and critical analysis from sociologists and industry experts (Eshholz, Bufkin, Long, 2000) has had a correlation with the changing representation of females and males in Disney films which is seen in Beauty and the beast (1959) and Maleficent (2014). Belle and Gaston are heavily stereotyped both exhibit hegemonic masculinity and femininity both being at the top of the gender hierarchy (Connell R, cited in Possamai, Henslin, 2014). Both characters are restricted by the assumed norms, roles and ideas associated with their attributes. Gaston’s structural mobility is limitless while Belles is limited which is reflected in the limitations of women in society in the time period (Dowd, 2012), with women unable to get an ivy league education, get a credit card and equal treatment in the workplace (Mclaughlin,2014). This one dimensional framework seen in Beauty and the beast evolved into having multi-faceted, complex characters (England, Descartes, Meek, 2011) seen in Maleficent (2014). This change is seen where Maleficent is an over powering character which is able to defeat a whole army of men in the beginning of the film, where she exhibits bravery, strength and courage to defend her way of life and rescue Aurora in the final act. Maleficent character is evidently a