I hear what you're saying, although when this film was made in 1937, cartoons were targeted toward adult audiences, so you'll forgive me if I view it through adult eyes.
The fact of the matter is there is a giant cultural concept that the single most important thing for a female is to be pretty. This is reinforced throughout the culture from cradle to grave. A particular insidious vehicle for this notion is the "Princess culture" which is omnipresent in young girl culture. All girls should be princesses and a princess is defined by being pretty and wearing dresses. Therefore a girl is defined by being pretty and wearing dresses. I can't keep that concept away from my daughter, but I can challenge it, and part of that means rejecting any media with an underlying theme of the virtue of feminine beauty.
From an animation standpoint, I love this film. From a feminist one, and from a parental one, I hate it. If it means something positive to you, then that is great. Thanks for commenting.
Comments 3
Reply
Reply
The fact of the matter is there is a giant cultural concept that the single most important thing for a female is to be pretty. This is reinforced throughout the culture from cradle to grave. A particular insidious vehicle for this notion is the "Princess culture" which is omnipresent in young girl culture. All girls should be princesses and a princess is defined by being pretty and wearing dresses. Therefore a girl is defined by being pretty and wearing dresses. I can't keep that concept away from my daughter, but I can challenge it, and part of that means rejecting any media with an underlying theme of the virtue of feminine beauty.
From an animation standpoint, I love this film. From a feminist one, and from a parental one, I hate it. If it means something positive to you, then that is great. Thanks for commenting.
Reply
Leave a comment