This assignment focuses on two topics; race and gender. You are only expected to choose one
The Task – Gender and race representations in children’s films
Choose one of the films listed below :
– Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938)
– Pinocchio (1940), Dumbo (1941)
– Bambi (1942)
– Cinderella (1950)
– Alice in Wonderland (1951)
– Peter Pan (1953)
– Lady and the Tramp (1955)
– Sleeping Beauty (1959)
– One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
– The Sword in the Stone (1963)
– The Jungle Book (1967)
– The Aristocats (1970)
– Robin Hood (1973)
– The Rescuers (1977)
– The Fox and the Hound (1981)
– The Black Cauldron (1985)
– The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
– Oliver and Company (1988)
– The Little Mermaid (1989)
– The Rescuers Down Under (1990)
– Beauty and the Beast (1991)
– Aladdin (1992)
– The Lion King (1994)
– Pocahontas (1995)
– The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
– Hercules (1997)
– Mulan (1998)
– Tarzan (1999)
– The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
Guidelines:
Gender
– Make an effort to view a film with both male and female characters.
– Categorize each of the characters listed by gender (if identifiable), and by whether it is a major or minor role.
– Describe each of the characters, especially those in major roles, according to some selection of the following traits:
• stereotypical masculine traits
• stereotypical feminine traits
– Are the portrayals of female characters more stereotypical than the depictions of male characters?
– What conclusions can you make about the way gender is represented in this film? Be prepared to cite specific examples to support your conclusions. (most marks associated with this question)
Race
– Make an effort to view a film with racially diverse characters.
– Categorize each of the characters listed by race/ethnicity (if identifiable) and by whether it is a major or minor role.
– What is the racial/ethnic identity of the major unsympathetic character/s?
– What characteristics seem to be associated with each identifiable racial/ethnic characterization?
– If the race/ethnicity of any characters are not easily identifiable, do you think they are nonetheless portrayed in the mold of white Americans— e.g., no identifiable accent / standard American accent, middle-class American values, etc.?
– What conclusions can you make about the way race is represented in this film? Be prepared to cite specific examples to support your conclusions. (most marks associated with this question)
