From Snow White to Anna: A Critical Analysis of the Disney Princess in relations to Gender Identity, and Racial and Ethnic Identity
Author
Kristjánsdottir, Eydís Herborg
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2018
Submitted on
2018-05-29
Pages
74
Abstract
This thesis examines how gender, racial, and ethnic identity have contributed to the evolution of the Disney Princess archetype across twelve films from Snow White (1937) to Frozen (2013). Drawing on Judith Butler’s gender theory, Critical Race Theory, and Kimberlé Crenshaw’s concept of intersectionality, it offers a critical reading of how femininity and identity are represented and normalized by the Walt Disney Company. The study situates princess narratives within broader media and historical contexts and considers Disney’s cultural and commercial influence. The analysis argues that while the princesses’ gender identity has evolved toward greater agency, the films consistently center and promote whiteness. Moreover, racial and ethnic identity are frequently flattened into an idealized, assimilated version aligned with mainstream American norms, limiting their impact on the evolution of the princess archetype.
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan kønsidentitet samt racemæssig og etnisk identitet har bidraget til udviklingen af Disney-prinsessearchetypen på tværs af tolv film fra Snehvide (1937) til Frost (2013). Med udgangspunkt i Judith Butlers kønsteori, Critical Race Theory og Kimberlé Crenshaws intersektionalitetsbegreb foretages en kritisk læsning af, hvordan femininitet og identitet fremstilles og normaliseres af The Walt Disney Company. Studiet sætter prinsessenarrativerne i mediale og historiske kontekster og inddrager Disneys kulturelle og kommercielle indflydelse. Analysen argumenterer for, at prinsessernes kønsidentitet har udviklet sig over tid mod større handlekraft, mens filmene konsekvent centrerer og promoverer hvidhed. Desuden fremstilles racemæssig og etnisk identitet ofte som en idealiseret, assimileret udgave i tråd med mainstream amerikanske normer, hvilket begrænser deres indflydelse på udviklingen af prinsessearchetypen.
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Keywords