Women and Film

Why can't women be their own hero?


In the article "Disney and the Female Imagination", by Deborah Ross, the issue of gender inequality is related to certain Disney classics.


The mind of a child is naïve to the opinions of anyone or anything it may come in contact with.  Movies, a common form of entertainment, are shown to children just to entertain them.  Little do we know that these same movies might actually be lowering their drive to have uniqueness and individuality, especially in girls.


In 1951, Alice in Wonderland was released as a family adventure.  Though Alice was adventurous and confident, her whole story revolved around the one thought that she wanted to escape the boredom of reality.  At the end of the movie, Alice gives up hope of ever going back home.  She sits down and "waits to be rescued".  When she is finally home, she makes it clear to herself and her audience that "Writing a story... is much safer than living one."  This closes off a child's imagination in fear of doing the wrong thing.


Another popular Disney movie, The Little Mermaid, is also unfair to the powerful woman.  Ariel is so blown away by this one man and his life that she is willing to give up all she has to be part of it, literally- her voice, legs, and current life.  Once again we also see this idea that a woman is not particularly happy with her own life.  She envies the life of this man and tells herself that without it, she can no longer be happy.  Ross made a very interesting point regarding this movie.  She said that "Yes, she gets her legs, she makes her stand, she marches- but only down the aisle, to marry some guy named Eric"


Beauty and the Beast, released in 1991, tells of a beautiful woman who is longing for someone that understands her unique senses.  Although many could argue that she was unique in her ways and that I have no right to comment on any sexism, it is clear that she is despised in her town.  Everyone thinks of her as weird and strange but because of her beauty, they are more excepting of her.  Towards the end of the movie, a male character and a beast fight for the possession of Belle as a bride.  It comes shocking to me that a children's movie supports the idea that men are superior to women, so much that they can battle for possession.  Why can't the woman's own voice be heard in this situation?


Other Disney movies show women who fantasize about a different life, one that is nothing like their own.  Others show that dreams are dangerous especially any act on them, and have little relevance to everyday life.  I think we may sometimes forget the impact we have on the younger generations.  We mean no harm by showing them a simple movie but there are twists behind most.  Anyone and anything has complete "Invasion and control of children's imagination".  We have to make sure that these are not harmful in any way.