Internet Research

http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=122745
Female Disney heroines are traditionally placed in one of three positions: that of an idealised teenage heroine, wicked middle-aged beauty or nurturing post-menopausal woman. These are the main stereotypes. Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel and Belle are examples of teenage heroines. Cruella Deville (101 Dalmatians), Ursula (The little Mermaid) and the wicked Queen (Snow White and the seven dwarfs) are classical examples of middle-aged villains. They have been called Disney's femme fatales (powerful woman defined by their sexuality). Disney's older women are always godmothers, fairies and servants. Their appearance is also common in the fairy tale genre. Because they are post-menopausal, they are not threatened as middle-aged heroines. There are many heroines with a cliché profile. Ariel, the heroine of the Little Mermaid, has a similar character profile (common housewife) except that she is shown wearing a bikini made out of shells (she is shown to be more attractive). However, her role is still male dominated. She will do anything to make the prince fall in love with her; even give up her voice. In the end, she does get her voice back and she also marries the prince (all Disney movies have happy endings). But just for romance, she loses everything else including her underwater home, her father and all her friends. In my opinion, all Disney heroines are in a shell and it takes a handsome young man to free them from the shell and give them a new life.

Sarah Underwood says in her article 'Changing the Way We Feel About Women' that "it is the way women are treated that affects children and adults globally. Women are not only mistreated in the workplace, but on the silver screen as well." I totally agree with Sarah Underwood and I strongly feel that if women are not "mistreated" on silver screen, then they might prove to be stronger role models for young women today.

Susan Riley has written an article in a Canadian magazine 'Media Awareness' telling us that there are few animated women in the Disney 'mould'. She says, "Even though the latest Disney films have toned down the sexism somewhat, they continue to exhibit insulting stereotypes."

Frederica Matthews-Green argues in her article 'The Women of Disney' that if a heroine has big eyes and hair she has to be Jasmine. If she has an attitude, she has to be Ariel. If she has a 'coupla extra pounds' she has to be Snow White and if she has mice she has to be Cinderella. If she has books she has to be Belle. I think that Frederica has brilliantly "sorted" Disney's heroines into classes according to their similarities.