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- Title
RED-HAIRED HEROINES: A COMPARISON OF GENDER REPRESENTATION IN THE LITT LE MERMAID AND NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND.
- Authors
Young, Grace
- Abstract
This study presents a thematic microanalysis of the lead female characters of two children's animated films in terms of feminist anthropology: Nausicaa from Studio Ghibli's Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984) and Ariel from Walt Disney Animation Studio's The Little Mermaid (1989). I chose these characters because of parallels in their status, age, appearance, year of films' release, and popularity of the films and their animation studios. I include a discussion of whether these characters exemplify female empowerment in terms of power and agency. Because of its qualitative nature, I conduct this analysis from a cultural relativist standpoint, putting each film in context before delivering a conclusion. I examine the characters based on differing motivations and relationships with men, family, other women, etc., as well as differing gender ideals, expectations, and cultural values between Japan and the United States. I focus specifically on cultural values in the mid- to late-1980s when the films were released and how those same ideals and values still resonate today. I seek to illustrate the relationship between popular culture and enculturation and examine the ways images of women's embodiment and values provide an example for children. When each aspect of a character's identity is examined and compared in relation to culture, traits like selfishness versus selflessness are subjective, while levels of agency and power are much more important in deciding which character is a more beneficial role model to young viewers.
- Subjects
POPULARITY; CHILDREN'S films; MERMAIDS; CULTURAL values; WOMEN'S empowerment; POPULAR culture
- Publication
LOGOS: A Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2019, Vol 12, p137
- ISSN
2153-1560
- Publication type
Article