Female Representation In Animation. By Madison & Robson.

We are exploring how female gender is represented in animation!

Stereotypical Female Leads The films that have female lead roles in them are targeted towards a younger female demographic. In several animation films the majority of female characters are created to societies standards of what women should look/be like: Small waist/Hourglass figure. & Beautiful Compassionate. Stereotypical Female Leads 

Disney Princess Representation. Looking at our research: In the early Disney princess films, there was a damsel-in-distress theme that occurred. They were predominately portrayed as weaker & more troublesome than the male characters. However comparing the Disney Princess movies prior to this day in age, the females are more independent & are less vulnerable. This manifests how gender roles have evolved. Disney Princess Representation.

Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs Released in 1937. Snow white is the protagonist in this film. It’s evident that the film is set in the late 1930s as Snow White is presented as a house-wife. This manifests how women were portrayed. In this time period the society was patriarchal. Snow White was crafted to be a prepossessing, pure & a sweet-natured character.

The Princess & The Frog Released in 2009 Tiana is the lead female character. Tiana is the first African-American woman in a Disney animation film. Tiana represents diversity & manifests how culture & race has been accepted by mankind since previous Disney Princess films. The Princess & The Frog She also represents a working class woman. As well as children this film can also aim towards working class audience. Her occupation is a waitress. She is an intelligent, resourceful & a highly gifted character. At the time this film was created, this contradicted the typical Disney Princess persona.

The Bechdel Test What is The Bechdal Test? The Bechdel Test was designed in 1985 by  Alison Bechdel. The test is used to call attention to gender inequality. The test criteria consists of:   Having at least two (or more) named female characters.   Who have on-screen dialogue.   About subjects other then a male.  The Bechdel Test

Lilo & Stitch Released in 2002 Lilo's representation & appearance contradicts the stereotypical female animated lead character as she is a child. Bechdel Test This film passes the Bechdel Test as Lilo & her sister (Nani) talk about a variety of topics, including family & Nani’s job search. Lilo also attempts to talk to other little girls about a doll she hand-made & her new 'dog’, however faces rejection. Lilo & Stitch

Monsters Inc. Released in 2001 Boo is a toddler. Her personality is curious, & naive. She has the ability to talk, however has ‘gibberish’ vocabulary, & little dialogue. She has the typical appearance of a female toddler (pigtails, pink clothing & adorable baby features). Bechdel Test Monsters Inc. only passes one of the criteria as there are multiple female characters. However these female characters only communicate with males.

Finding Dory Released in 2016 Dory is a fish. This makes her a unique character in comparison to the other female animated characters. Finding Dory The Bechdel Test Finding Dory passes the Bechdel Test as there are more than two named female characters which are Dory & her friend Destiny. They communicate with each other & their conversations are not about other male characters in the film.

Released in 2001 Princess Fiona originally fitted the criteria of a stereotypical female in animation when she was in human form with her elegance & hour glass figure. However when she converted into an ogre, she no longer possessed these characteristics as an ogre is an unappealing mythical creature. The Bechdel Test The film Shrek only fits one part of the criteria. This is due to the fact that there are more than one female character (Fiona & the Dragon). Fiona & the Dragon have to use non-verbal communication as the Dragon is incapable of talking. This means there is no actual dialogue between the two female characters. Shrek