Polanco (2010) “He’s a human, you’re a mermaid”

An exploration of gender in Disney’s The Little Mermaid through an analysis of three of the film’s songs as narrative performances of gender. Mostly based in interpretation and criticism with little detailed linguistic analysis however, this thesis would be useful for a detailed grasp of the concept of gender performance in Disney’s animated films. Polanco, … Continue reading Polanco (2010) “He’s a human, you’re a mermaid”

Putnam (2012) Mean ladies

Covers the presentation of male and female Disney villains' gender performances as queer or transgressive. Physical attributes, clothing, and actions the villains are shown performing are considered using qualitative analysis, and the ways in which the villains subvert heteronormative gender expectations are highlighted. This book chapter will be useful if you are interested in how … Continue reading Putnam (2012) Mean ladies

Sandlin and Garlen (2016) Disney, culture, and curriculum

Looks at Disney’s role in teaching ideas on gender, race and class. Chapters which focus on gender (intersectionally), queerness and language include: 4,5,7, 11 & 14. This book would be useful for those interested in the impact of animation on formation of identity and gender roles, as well as the intersection of gender, race and … Continue reading Sandlin and Garlen (2016) Disney, culture, and curriculum

Scheffer-Wentz (2020) Let it Go: A Critical Comparative Analysis of the Modern-Day Female Protagonist Based on Disney’s Frozen and Frozen II

A qualitative comparative content analysis of gender roles in both Frozen I and II. The study of the two films in a broad content analysis of gender through 4 codes of emotion, traditional gender traits, role within the film, and the aesthetic perception of the characters. Language is used to pluck out the occurrences of … Continue reading Scheffer-Wentz (2020) Let it Go: A Critical Comparative Analysis of the Modern-Day Female Protagonist Based on Disney’s Frozen and Frozen II

Shehatta (2020) Breaking stereotypes

Covers the presentation of the protagonist, Princess Merida, in the Disney/Pixar film Brave. A multimodal approach was taken by the researcher, using both visual and linguistic analysis (looking at politeness strategies and face-threatening acts in particular). This article will be useful if you are interested in how femininity relates to politeness in animated films, particularly … Continue reading Shehatta (2020) Breaking stereotypes

Stecher (2023) Animating Gender: A Medium Drawn to Transness

Applies transgender theory to animation as a medium. Focuses mostly on character design, and the gendering of non-human characters but also contains a chapter on the impact of voice on gender representation which may be useful for those interested voice tone, pitch etc. in animated characters. Stecher, D. (2023). Animating Gender: A Medium Drawn to … Continue reading Stecher (2023) Animating Gender: A Medium Drawn to Transness

Sundqvist (2005) Gender specific language in animated movies

Studies 10 pragmatic features in the films Antz and Finding Nemo in relation to gender specific language - talkativeness, interruptions, tags and hedges, discourse and topics, gossip, voice, standard and non-standard language, profanity, politeness and verbal irony and figurative speech. This study would be useful for those interested in statistical analysis of gender representation and … Continue reading Sundqvist (2005) Gender specific language in animated movies

Teshigawara (2003) Voices in Japanese animation

Examines the phonetic properties of heroes and villains in anime. Investigates how identified auditory characteristics affect people’s perceptions of good and bad characters. Mostly quantitative analysis with a detailed discussion of results. Male and female heroes and villains are analysed separately and differences are presented between them. This thesis would be useful for those interested … Continue reading Teshigawara (2003) Voices in Japanese animation