Gender Sensitive Messages Delivered in the Disney Movie Frozen
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GENDER SENSITIVE MESSAGES DELIVERED IN THE DISNEY MOVIE FROZEN Retno Muljani, Mega Wulandari, dan Deasy Ekawati English Language Education Study Program, Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] ABSTRACT In the era of information technology, electronic media are broadcasted throughout the world by far- reaching multinational companies. In that way, various forms of entertainment have become inseparable from children’s daily lives. Due to their extensive presence, media may have considerable influence over children’s development and behaviour. Naturally, media are expected to provide not only creative entertainments but also positive didactic messages for child viewers, including those under five (5) years old. Early age education practitioners can make use of the movies to introduce the child viewers to certain values such as relevant gender sensitive messages. Frozen (2013) is a movie which depicts female independent characters that do not pursue romance as their only life goal; instead, they prefer to stay together and keep their mutual love as sisters after a long journey full of adventures.In this preliminary study, the visual and narrative elements of the movie are studied in order to analyze the gender sensitive messages wrapped in entertaining styles. To some extent, themessages can also enhancefive different developmental domains of childrennamely social, physical, intellectual, creativity, and emotion development (in short, S.P.I.C.E.).Thus, watching the movie can bring benefits to child and adult viewers from the viewpoints of entertainment, education, and child development. Keywords: child development; gender-sensitive messages; Frozen movi 1. INTRODUCTION captured hearts and minds of child viewers and adults, brought effects on industries such In this era of information technology, as music and tourism, and, to some extent, electronic media are broadcasted throughout aroused the opinion that the movie has “a pro- the world by far-reaching multinational homosexual agenda” (http://www.rollingstone. companies. In that way, various forms of com/music/features/the-year-in-frozen-20141231). entertainment have become inseparable from However, this paper will focus on the movie children’s daily lives. Due to their extensive as an example of Disney’s post second-wave presence, media may have considerable feminism movie where female characters influence over children’s development and appear significantly more independent behavior. Naturally, media are expected to without the obligation to pursue romance as provide not only creative entertainments but their only life goals. The visual and narrative also positive didactic messages for child elements of the movie are studied in order to viewers. analyze the gender sensitive messages This preliminary study is intended as a wrapped in entertaining styles which can be kind of mini research which analyzes the an educational media to introduce gender- Disney movie, namely, Frozen (2013). The sensitive messages to child viewers during movie has “shaken” the world since it has their developmental stages. 16 Retno Muljani, Mega Wulandari, dan Deasy Ekawati – Gender Sensitive Messages .... 17 2. OVERVIEW OF THE MOVIE by the following writers. Schager (2014, para. 4) praisesFrozen for portraying ‘women Frozen (2013) is a Disney movie with a forging their own identities…whose goals storyline that revolves around its lead female have nothing to do with men or achieving characters, Elsa and Anna, who are sisters and some standard-issue happily ever after…’ In princesses from the kingdom of Arendelle. the movie,Rosten (2013, para. 2) also discovers Frozen details the adventure and transformation complete reversal and subversion of Disney they must undergo following a serious mishap Princess conventions’ where the sisters are during Elsa’s coronation day which threatens ‘not saved by any men’. Arendelle’s future. They encounter male In order to convey gender-sensitive characters who appear as potential heroes, but and positive self-esteem messages, the in the end, the sisters prove that they can rely movieemploys visual and narrative elements on themselves in rescuing each other and their to reinforce those didactic ideas. Watching kingdom. It seems thatFrozen(2013) offers an positive didactic ideas is especially crucial for alternative and more gender-sensitive plot young viewers, because as stated by Morawitz where female characters are supposed to find & Mastro (132, 138), in observational learning freedom in their journey to self-discovery, and ‘the more an individual likes the media the kind of true love that prevails above all is models, the more likely he/she is to adopt the a love between sisters instead of a romantic modeledbehavior’, and through this young love between opposite sexes. acquire appropriate gender roles, self- evaluative standards viewers can and beliefs. Frozen’s plot features two lead female 3. GENDER SENSITIVE MESSAGES characters who are not damsels-in-distress in IN FROZEN (2013) need of male rescuers. Rosten (2013 para. 2) supports this statement and emphasizes that 3.1 Disney’s Stereotypical Gender ‘…The story from start to finish is the tale of Portrayal and Frozen (2013) two sisters’. The sisters have clashing as Disney’s Attempt to Introduce personalities: the divine-like Elsa possesses a Gender-Sensitive Plot tremendous supernatural power, and the worldly, freedom-loving Anna has none but Stover (2013) states that Disney and its is always in touch with reality. They are princess characters are often criticized for complete opposites of each other but almost promoting unrealistic body types and narrow inseparable and always ready to protect each ideals of marriage. Matyas also notes (11, 28) other without needing any male character’s that Disney has been accused of creating only help. In this way, without having to introduce one-dimensional and stereotypical heroines so a hero between them, they already fit the often that passivity and dependence become classic Disney couple description where ‘one notable characteristics of Disney princesses. side of the couple is identified with reality, This biased portrayal is a source of ‘significant the other with the imaginary, divine, or fire from feminists’ (Brydon, 2008, p.134), unreal…’ (Altman, 2013, p.154). Frozen’s because as Hecht (2) explains, representations gender-sensitive plot and its didactic ideas of of female characters in the media play a role female independence and positive self-esteem in influencing viewers’ attitudes and beliefs are detailed in the following part. about appropriate gender roles. As a result, repeated exposure to these negative gender 3.2 How Frozen (2013) Delivers representations may foster children’s and Reinforces Didactic Messages unhealthy view on women’s societal roles. Frozen can be seen as Disney’s response Some of Frozen’s didactic messages are to the criticism mentioned previously as stated 1) one should never be afraid to embrace who 18 Jurnal Ilmiah Kebudayaan SINTESIS, Volume 12, Nomor 1, Maret 2018, hlm. 16-26 they truly are, 2) do not judge people by their eventually to accompany her singing and appearances, and 3) true love may appear creates a magical castle which protects her. from an unexpected source. These messages Elsa’s escape and eventual discovery of are in line with the message carried by freedom symbolizes a heroine’s path of self- Disney’s postmodern princesses: their character discovery and learning to embrace her unique strength lies mainly in wit and passionate personality (Matyas 23). ideals instead of beauty (Stover, 2013) as their The scene where Elsa breathes life to romance becomes more realistic and love is Olaf - the snowman- signifies that her power no longer their only goal (Hecht 56-57). These can actually bring life. In this particular scene, messages conform to Disney’s aim to introduce she symbolizes some kind of earth-goddess a more gender-sensitive film featuring whose touch creates life. By presenting Elsa’s independent female characters on their road touch of life accompanied by her powerful to self-discovery without any need for a Prince song, Disney recognizes the role of women Charming rescuer. characters in folk musical as ‘the source of The first didactic message, that one life—the land, the mother,…who helps it grow should never be afraid to embrace who they and brings the new fruit forth’ (Altman, 1989, truly are, is delivered in Elsa’s character p.317). The presentation of positive messages development through the story, especially reinforced by lyrics in a song is an example when she breaks into singing the film’s main of atmosphere narrative which conforms to theme, ‘Let It Go’. At the beginning of Frozen, Disney’s understanding of the influence of Elsa and Anna are visually portrayed as music over impressionable young audience fulfillments of the classic Disney princess who ‘will remember the messages in a mold where princesses and heroines are powerful and lasting way’ (Hill, 2007). youthful, pretty, white and bourgeois (Brydon, Eventually, Arendelle recovers from its 2008) and living in exotic and unrecognizable winter after Elsa ceases her winter curse once lands (Hill, 2007). Before, during, and shortly she realizes that no matter what, Anna always after coronation as the new Queen of genuinely loves her. Here, the visualization Arendelle, Elsa is visualized in clothing and and narrative setting show Arendelle hairstyle which represent her isolation. She returning to its former glory once Elsa gains looks uncomfortable in a tight-fitting dress self-acceptance and recognition of Anna’s constraining her movements and long sleeves unconditional love. Ellington (33) affirms this and gloves that all seem to be designed to message as a manifestation of Disney’s lesson oppress her power. Her hair is arranged in a that women should pursue what they desire perfect braid which symbolizes a situation because ‘the best way to live life is to follow where everything is measured for precision. one’s heart’, and this conforms to the didactic Elsa’s visual portrayal matches Do Rozario’s message of embracing who you truly are.