disney women in film - questionnaire

[mediastudentA2]

I am doing my Media A2 exam: Women in film. Looking primarily at Disney's representation of lead female roles.
the films i have decided to look closely at are
Snow White (1937)
Little Mermaid (1989)
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Mulan (1998)

So far i have read people's opinions on websites, in magazine articles (Kathy Maoi) and several books by Amy Davis, Marina Walker and Douglas Brode but now i need some primary research completed to ensure i get a good grade following all the hard work ive put in hehe

I have a questionnaire i would appreciate you filling out guys any trouble answering any questions, dont hesitate to mail me and ask or post your queries. remember there ar no 'right answers'. i am lookin for your opinions and how you answer the questions. i don't think you would HAVE to have seen the forementioned films to answer the questions but if you know the context in which they are being asked, and know a brief background of the movie it may help - but please state whether you have seen the film or not when answering as it will help me in evaluating my data.

now... here are the questions

Do you like Disney films?
YES / NO



What is it you like about them? ___________________


Out of the following four films which is your favourite and why? (choose one ONLY)
'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves' (1937)
'The Little Mermaid' (1989)
'Beauty and the Beast' (1991)
'Mulan' (1998)

__________________________



What would you describe as a 'typical' characteristic of Disney heroines? (Choose one ONLY)
Strong
Beautiful
Intelligent
Sheltered
Inferior



Of the answer you chose, can you think of an example of a film in which the female roles express this characteristic? ________________


How do YOU feel female characters in Disney animation should be presented? __________



Consider Snow White's actions after leaving the castle. She found a cottage and cleaned it top to bottom. How do her actions make you feel about female leads in Disney animation? ______________________




Consider this quote from 'Mulan': "She brings home a sword. If you ask me, she should've brought home a man" Do you feel this is a positive representation of women in Disney animation? Explain your answer. ____________________



Consider 'The Little Mermaid'. Do you think Ariel was right to give up her voice for love? Explain your answer. _________________



Some critics have likened Belle from Beauty and the Beast to a "battered wife" due to her "abusive" partner? Do you feel this is an accurate interpretation? YES/ NO



In your opinion, what is the message behind the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast and why do you think this is?_____________________



In the film, Beauty and the Beast, Gastons reaction to Belle reading was "It's not right women reading. Soon they start thinking, getting ideas…" While Gaston was created to represent a shallow-minded society how do you feel
this comment reflects Disney animation as a whole? ____________________


Do you believe Belle's stigma of intelligence and love of literature was included as to reflect society's views at the time or more so Disney's views and opinions?________________________



In you opinion, how mysoginistic do you believe Disney are? _________________________



Have their representation of women changed over time? Explain your answer. ________________________




Thank you sooooo much for your help and taking the time to complete this. it
will really help me in my research. if you have any other comments personal views that ahve not been addressed in my questionnaire/criticisms of my questionnaire/praise of my questions/anything at all please feel free to include them. again, thank you

danni x

[captainron19]

Do you like Disney films?
YES / NO

YES




What is it you like about them? ___________________

Tough question but to me they were all inspired by a great man (Walt) and they continue to use imagination as their main ingredient.




Out of the following four films which is your favourite and why? (choose one ONLY)
'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves' (1937)
'The Little Mermaid' (1989)
'Beauty and the Beast' (1991)
'Mulan' (1998)

__________________________



Mulan (love the music)



What would you describe as a 'typical' characteristic of Disney heroines? (Choose one ONLY)
Strong
Beautiful
Intelligent
Sheltered
Inferior


Beautiful



Of the answer you chose, can you think of an example of a film in which the female roles express this characteristic? ________________

Beauty & the Beast



How do YOU feel female characters in Disney animation should be presented? __________


Natural (not fake) and wholesome and pure (mostly because many young girls like my daughter like to image themselves through Disney Princesses and mimic them in a way)



Consider Snow White's actions after leaving the castle. She found a cottage and cleaned it top to bottom. How do her actions make you feel about female leads in Disney animation? ______________________


Why because she cleaned the house? I do not think they are given a role in that sense after all look at Mulan (She Saved China in a Country that would not expect a woman to take such a part)




Consider this quote from 'Mulan': "She brings home a sword. If you ask me, she should've brought home a man" Do you feel this is a positive representation of women in Disney animation? Explain your answer. ____________________


I dont see a problem with it



Consider 'The Little Mermaid'. Do you think Ariel was right to give up her voice for love? Explain your answer. _________________


Her choice ... Love is a powerful emotion



Some critics have likened Belle from Beauty and the Beast to a "battered wife" due to her "abusive" partner? Do you feel this is an accurate interpretation? YES/ NO


NO WAY this is a classic film based on a classic storyline - if anything I applaud her for taming the Beast it showed her strength



In your opinion, what is the message behind the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast and why do you think this is?_____________________


Well it wasnt originally a "Disney Idea" but I would say the hidden idea in the story is that good can be found in anyone.



In the film, Beauty and the Beast, Gastons reaction to Belle reading was "It's not right women reading. Soon they start thinking, getting ideas…" While Gaston was created to represent a shallow-minded society how do you feel
this comment reflects Disney animation as a whole? ____________________


I do not think it represents Disney. Back in a day that is how it use to be so Disney is only presenting History and actually showing how far we have come as a society.



Do you believe Belle's stigma of intelligence and love of literature was included as to reflect society's views at the time or more so Disney's views and opinions?________________________


At the time in the past and way gone



In you opinion, how mysoginistic do you believe Disney are?

The term Misogyny deals with a hatred of women and I do not believe the Disney Corporation has ever had any similiarity or use of that term. The term is actually used by some as a fear of women (a phobia) but again I do not see that used in Disney Films AT ALL



Have their representation of women changed over time? Explain your answer. ________________________


No I bellieve Disney has always had a positive while at the same time "true to life" reflection of women in their films.


Hope this helps

[mediastudentA2]

thank you so much :) i've posted the same questionnaire on four forums to get a varied response from people lol but you are the first to reply so bless you sir :) x

[Trixie]

Do you like Disney films? YES



What is it you like about them? I love their genre of story telling (inspired by Walt).


Out of the following four films which is your favourite and why? (choose one ONLY)
'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves' (1937)
'The Little Mermaid' (1989)
'Beauty and the Beast' (1991)
'Mulan' (1998)

The Little mermaid



What would you describe as a 'typical' characteristic of Disney heroines? (Choose one ONLY)
Strong


Of the answer you chose, can you think of an example of a film in which the female roles express this characteristic? Mulan, she overcame societal view of women to save all of China.


How do YOU feel female characters in Disney animation should be presented? Mixture of femininity and empowerment.



Consider Snow White's actions after leaving the castle. She found a cottage and cleaned it top to bottom. How do her actions make you feel about female leads in Disney animation? Honestly, I don't seen any negative or positive connotations.



Consider this quote from 'Mulan': "She brings home a sword. If you ask me, she should've brought home a man" Do you feel this is a positive representation of women in Disney animation? Explain your answer. I think it does.The comment is meant to express the grandmothers opinion and the opinion of the society Mulan was apart of. A big part of the movie is that Mulan comes from a time where women had there place and they stayed there and how this character trancended that. The grandmother's comment I think fits that story line.


Consider 'The Little Mermaid'. Do you think Ariel was right to give up her voice for love? Explain your answer. In Ariel's mind it was only a temporary situation and she could make eric love her without it. So yes with those odds she was right. If you are referring to "voice" as her ability to have and state her opinion then I think you may be looking into it a bit much. I think when we give alterative motives to such simply stories we tend to loose the real meaning.



Some critics have likened Belle from Beauty and the Beast to a "battered wife" due to her "abusive" partner? Do you feel this is an accurate interpretation? NO



In your opinion, what is the message behind the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast and why do you think this is? There is good in everyone. That even after years and years of being mean and selfish someone can become good and loving and a decent person. The beast was raised as a prince to be selfish when he was turned into a beast his vanity created anger, the villagers feared him so he became reclusive and mean but when belle came along she was able to break through his anger and find the kindness in him.



In the film, Beauty and the Beast, Gastons reaction to Belle reading was "It's not right women reading. Soon they start thinking, getting ideas…" While Gaston was created to represent a shallow-minded society how do you feel
this comment reflects Disney animation as a whole? Similiar to Mulan I think it was trying to set the stage of where we as women have come from.


Do you believe Belle's stigma of intelligence and love of literature was included as to reflect society's views at the time or more so Disney's views and opinions? They realized through there earlier movies that children tended to idolize this female characters. I think belle's character was not only to reflect society at the time but also to get children excited about reading and not to hide their intelligence. As much as we would love to think are society has transcended the female stereotype, we have not and a character like Belle I think sets a good example. So in that way i think they reflect both.



In you opinion, how mysoginistic do you believe Disney are? No more than the general society.



Have their representation of women changed over time? Explain your answer. I think over time they have shown more empowered women. They don't need the prince to save them as much as the prince needs to be saved.

[Bagheera Fan]

I am doing my Media A2 exam: Women in film. Looking primarily at Disney's representation of lead female roles.
the films i have decided to look closely at are
Snow White (1937)
Little Mermaid (1989)
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Mulan (1998)

So far i have read people's opinions on websites, in magazine articles (Kathy Maoi) and several books by Amy Davis, Marina Walker and Douglas Brode but now i need some primary research completed to ensure i get a good grade following all the hard work ive put in hehe

I have a questionnaire i would appreciate you filling out guys any trouble answering any questions, dont hesitate to mail me and ask or post your queries. remember there ar no 'right answers'. i am lookin for your opinions and how you answer the questions. i don't think you would HAVE to have seen the forementioned films to answer the questions but if you know the context in which they are being asked, and know a brief background of the movie it may help - but please state whether you have seen the film or not when answering as it will help me in evaluating my data.

now... here are the questions

Do you like Disney films?
YES / NO
Yes.


What is it you like about them?
They are amazing children's movies. What's not to like?


Out of the following four films which is your favourite and why? (choose one ONLY)
'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves' (1937)
'The Little Mermaid' (1989)
'Beauty and the Beast' (1991)
'Mulan' (1998)
Mulan, because of Mushu and because of the music. (:


What would you describe as a 'typical' characteristic of Disney heroines? (Choose one ONLY)
Strong
Beautiful
Intelligent
Sheltered
Inferior
Beautiful, but only because it's obvious from just looking at the characters. I think kind would be just as typical as beautiful.


Of the answer you chose, can you think of an example of a film in which the female roles express this characteristic?
The main female characters are always beautiful.


How do YOU feel female characters in Disney animation should be presented?
I think they are presented just fine now.


Consider Snow White's actions after leaving the castle. She found a cottage and cleaned it top to bottom. How do her actions make you feel about female leads in Disney animation?
I feel that female leads in Disney animation wouldn't want to be a burden and want to work for a living. Snow White cleaned and cooked in return for everything the dwarves gave her. Besides, I would imagine Disney didn't want to stray too far from the Brothers' Grimm original Snow White anyway.


Consider this quote from 'Mulan': "She brings home a sword. If you ask me, she should've brought home a man" Do you feel this is a positive representation of women in Disney animation? Explain your answer.
I don't think this was meant to be a representation of women. It was simply the character giving her opinion.


Consider 'The Little Mermaid'. Do you think Ariel was right to give up her voice for love? Explain your answer.
Yes. She had the choice between taking the chance to have everything and risking everything, or staying in the ocean and always dreaming about what might have been. I believe she knew she couldn't live like that.


Some critics have likened Belle from Beauty and the Beast to a "battered wife" due to her "abusive" partner? Do you feel this is an accurate interpretation? YES/ NO
No.


In your opinion, what is the message behind the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast and why do you think this is?
I think they are trying to say that love isn't skin-deep.


In the film, Beauty and the Beast, Gastons reaction to Belle reading was "It's not right women reading. Soon they start thinking, getting ideas…" While Gaston was created to represent a shallow-minded society how do you feel
this comment reflects Disney animation as a whole?
I don't think it does reflect Disney as a whole.


Do you believe Belle's stigma of intelligence and love of literature was included as to reflect society's views at the time or more so Disney's views and opinions?
Disney's. I don't think they would try to assume society's general opinion.


In you opinion, how mysoginistic do you believe Disney are?
I don't think Disney is at all prejudiced against women.


Have their representation of women changed over time? Explain your answer.
Not particularly. Beautiful and kind through and through.

[PrincessDiana]

Do you like Disney films?
YES!!!

What is it you like about them?
Aside from the beautiful art, is the entertaining story line with meaningful themes and subtle humor.

My favorite film out of the four is probably Mulan.

Typical characteristic, as sad as it is to say, it's "beautiful"

Snow White is the 'fairest' in the land, which gets her into loads of trouble.
Sleeping Beauty was given the gift of 'beauty'
Belle means 'beauty' in French
Need I say more?

How do YOU feel female characters in Disney animation should be presented?
I don't think there's any problem with how they've been presented so far. They are all beautiful but there is a good variety of personalities so I don't think there's a problem.

It shows she's good at housework. But it figures, she was forced to be a maid. (by a WOMAN I might add before feminists get riled up) And considering the time the movie was made, it's not a CRIME.

She's an old lady, it's an expected statement. Now if taken seriously, there may be a problem. But if taken as a simple joke, like I do, there's no harm.

I think it was good. She had always relied on her voice, so challenging her to get what she wants without her number one weapon was interesting. Now whether it was the right choice, I don't know. She should've never dealt with Ursula in the first place, but without that, there would've never been Ariel and Eric and Triton may have never made up with his daughter, so I thought it was ok.

When he's abusive, she leaves. Says "I'm not going to take this s**t any more!" (not directly, but it's the same idea) But when he saves her from wolves, she feels responsible to at least make sure he becomes healthy again, so returns. And doesn't leave because she knows that her chances of making it are slim anyway. And she only accepts him once he becomes more compassionate. So I don't think that comparison is justified.

That looks aren't everything and people CAN change.

It shows that Disney thinks that only shallow-minded people would think that women have no right to read.

I think both. It ostracized her from society since intelligent women were rare, allowing her to empathize with beast a little bit more. And I'm sure disney believed that intelligent women were a good thing.

I don't know where anyone would get that idea. Women may have been represented as below men in some of the older times, but if you look at the era they were living in, it was quite a compliment, the way they were treated. But when time wore on, you can see that female characters started to grow stronger. So I think that female characters grew with females in the real world.

I guess I kinda answered that question already.

[Robin Hood]

Do you like Disney films?

Yes, I do.


What is it you like about them?

The animations, the story and the plot itself.


Out of the following four films which is your favourite and why?

I like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs better and it's mainly beacuse the story is based on the old Germany that was ruled by princes and princesses. The castle of that movie is located actually in Bavaria and it remainds me a lot of my home town nearby München.

All the folk tales of the Grimm Brothers are just great.


What would you describe as a 'typical' characteristic of Disney heroines?

Beautiful


Of the answer you chose, can you think of an example of a film in which the female roles express this characteristic?

Sleeping Beauty!


How do you feel female characters in Disney animation should be presented?

Just as they have been presented.


Consider Snow White's actions after leaving the castle. She found a cottage and cleaned it top to bottom. How do her actions make you feel about female leads in Disney animation?

Yes, I do.