Hist2480
Tracy Penny Light
Oct 16, 2017
Week 7 Reading Analysis
It’s common to watch something on TV, a movie, read something or listen to the radio and get influenced by it. It may make you think differently and even feel differently, influence what you want to do, etc. This is because it was what the viewers are thought is normal, they see it time after time, so if it repeats itself it must be true, right? Wrong people need to stop falling into this trap and realize what these images are making them do. That is why the reading for this week are written to make more people aware of what is happening in media.
The article that really hit close to home were the one that mainly focused on this problem in regards to Disney. I found this one most important because I grew up watching all the Disney movies and feel that they all probably have a big impact on my life. although I thought this impact was harmless until recently. I have a little sister who loves the Disney movies and I have now noticed different messages that I never notice when I was young. This article answered and confirmed a lot of the thoughts I’ve had about them. It was almost alarming to find out that yes Disney movies been quite controversial with the images that are given off. It was stated that most of those Disney princess that every little girl wants to be is created as a way to teach children at a young age that beauty is everything. As these princesses get all that they want and a happily ever after. Where if you’re seen as the ugly one, who’s not as pretty as the princess you will turn bad and have a sad horrible life. it’s completely wrong that people still let their children watch these fairytales are slowly becoming reality because it is what we are taught is normal. Although not one of these beautiful princess is real, they are all drawn perfect to make people wish they could look unrealistic.
The other article that was relatable was the one on the movie series Twilight, because I have watch it but never realized what the actual hidden meaning was. It was stated that this movie, much like the Disney movies is horrible because of the images given. There are many things that hint at horrible messages that they want people to believe, and if it wasn’t for those who over analyze things viewers would go on without realizing that this is what impacts the way they think. Whether it be the way you think about gender, or sexuality or even race. They are all created with negative impacts in them like how Twilight can be seen as a racist movie, or how it has hints to make people think the woman in the movie, much like in other movies, is seen as week and can’t do anything for herself. This is all wrong yet a lot of the viewers tend to look past all of this like it is ok, it’s just a movie right? Wrong something needs to change.
Although some may argue that there has been a slight change in movies. It was noted that Disney has tried to change. For instance, there are different raced princesses now and some princesses aren’t just a girl in a tower. They do have princess that are made to be seen as someone who is more manly or even more powerful that some princesses. But in these movies like Brave and Frozen these characters that are supposed to be empowering for women can be, but they are also not your everyday princess look. So could this not mean you can only act different if you look different? I still feel that something is not right in all Disney movies, as well as any movies targeted at young people who watch these movies. They may have changed but only because the time has changed, why can a movie be made with no conflict? Is there a change in the conflicts just because there is a feminism? Why does feminism need to continue to change, why can’t it just be one thing and not broken into many problems. I feel if all feminist of all types realized they all have a similarity and their differences really aren’t that bad wouldn’t this make it so there is more people on the same side? Why do people not feel this way, or do I just not understand it?
Biography
Fetters, A., “At It’s Core, the Twilight Saga is a Story About,” The Atlantic, November 15, 2012 https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/11/at-its-core-the-twilight-saga is-a-story- about/265328/
Gill, R., “Postfeminist Media Culture: Elements of a Sensibility,” European Journal of Cultural Studies: 10, 2 (2007): 147-166.
Stover, C., “Damsels and Heroines: The Conundrum of the Post-Feminist Disney Princess,” LUX: A Journal of Transdisciplinary Writing and Research from Claremont Graduate University, 2, 1 (2013): 1- 10.