Moana Sarah, Annie, Saba, Gabe a Roles and Rules

In this movie we see that it is desirable for Moana to want to write her own story. Her father wants to try and keep her safe and thinks she should stay on the island. But when her island is put in jeopardy she sets off alone to save her island. She is breaking her family’s expectations and following what she feels is right. Moana is a fierce independent woman and an example of the cultural feminist perspective. She is showing the world that she can be an independent strong woman who is capable of writing her own story without the help of a man. Contrary to many past Disney movies Moana is not a princess in need of saving, she instead is a princess doing the saving. b Characters: Models and Anti Models Moana Maui

Moana breaks free from the Maui would be considered the anti-model in this archetype. She is independent and determined. text because he displays characteristics that are Moana listens to her heart as the ocean calls undesirable such as selfishness, arrogance, and her to restore the heart of Te Fiti. Her insecurity. Maui is a demigod who stole the heart of compassionate characteristics are admired, Te Fiti to impress people, but instead was desireable, and stand out as she takes care of resented. His first encounter with Moana, he begins her animals, children in the tribe, and her grandma. and they are admirable. Moana is a singing “You’re Welcome”, arrogantly assuming natural born leader in her community, her that she is there the thank him. Throughout their parents acknowledge that, but she goes above time together, Maui acts tough and brave, even and beyond, sailing across the ocean to save though he is immature and insecure about his her island. When she is faced with danger and power. At first, Maui does not care that islands are hardships, Moana proceeds with more deteriorating because of him and selfishly stats he determination and bravery than Maui, the won’t help restore the heart of Te Fiti. Throughout demigod. These characteristics are portrayed as the journey, Maui gives up easily while Moana desirable because it shows that women are not persists. A message is sent that Maui’s behavior is always the “damsel in distress” yet they have the power to single handedly accomplish undesirable because his arrogance and selfishness whatever they put their heart to. Moana is not gets him nowhere. His character contrasts with the only a model to young girls to be brave, loving and determined characteristic of Moana compassionate, passionate, and relentless, but which is contagious and eventually influences him all women as a strong individual. to become humble. c Gender Roles

● Patriarchy ○ In a typical society, the male character would be the dominant one to follow, but in this example, Moana is the main character leading the way. She is the influential character who convinces Maui to return the stone, thus showing Moana as the empowered character, and the male character, Maui, as disempowered. ● Masculine Hegemony ○ This is not an example of masculine hegemony because the female character, Moana, holds the dominant position. ● Heteronormativity ○ The natural gender roles would be for Moana to be submissive and Maui to be demanding and dominant. But, this is not an example of Heteronormativity because Moana accepts typically male gender roles of being strong willed, influential, and commanding, while Maui is compliant, obedient, and unassertive. d SUMMARIZE THE THREE SLIDES BEFORE AS SHOWN IN 2d 1) Moana enacts the role of the independent strong woman who is going out on her own to write her own future. Maui on the other hand is enacting the role of being selfish and acting as an anti-model in the story. 2) Maui and Moana interact as almost foils of each other. Moana is determined to save her island no matter what the cost. Whereas at the beginning Maui tries his best to keep her from returning the heart of Te Fiti. 3) In the patriarchy it would usually be the male character that would be the empowered character doing the saving. However the model in the story, Moana, challenges the patriarchy because she is the empowered independent woman doing the saving. She is breaking out of gender boundaries and fighting for herself. a Potential Implications

While I do not think there are any negative impacts that come with its messages about women and men in society, this movie subverts traditional roles of females in lead roles. Not only is Moana a powerful and independent lead role, she carries the weight of her village and the world on her shoulders. This movie makes young females believe that they have the capacity to do big things and effect the world in a positive light. In the film, Moana is the main subject capable of agency and self-invested action. She takes it upon herself to act and does not rely on anyone else to get the job done. By being powerful, strong, and impactful, Moana takes the lead role in this text and goes against the typical power dynamic in society. She reinforces the strong, female role in the power dynamic and continues to prove to young girls that they can have an impact in society. Bibliography https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/dance-storytelling-art-wayfinding-behind-scenes-disney-s-moana-n672141 https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/07/25/sneak-peek-exclusive-moana-dwayne-johnson/87507818/ http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Moana_(character)