The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Critical Media Literacy and Disney Female Characters

The purpose of this research project was to use a qualitative approach to explore Critical Media Literacy (CML) with young girls by collaboratively analyzing Disney animated films. My goal was to provide a safe and encouraging space for children to share their perspectives and opinions of Disney animated female characters featured in The Little Mermaid (Ashman, Musker, & Clements, 1989), Cinderella (Disney, Geronimi, Jackson, & Luske, 1950), and The Princess and the Frog (Del Vecho, Clements, & Musker, 2009). I used CML as my theoretical framework as it provided an inquisitive approach to watching films, which, in turn, encouraged the participants to use critical thinking pertaining to the images of female characters in Disney. I also incorporated feminist theory as the majority of discussion revolved around the physical appearance of female characters as well as the participants’ understandings of femininity. I conducted two focus groups with 4 young girls, aged 7 to 11, to gain insight into their understanding of Disney female characters. An inquisitive and collaborative approach to watching films revealed three themes: (a) powerful women in Disney are mean and ugly; (b) heterosexual relationships are paramount; and (c) Disney Princesses are always pretty and nice. I concluded by recommending the importance of CML and collaborative film-watching with young children as the simplicity of asking questions encourages young people to become aware of, challenge, and think critically about the media they are consuming.

Charts and graphs of cross sections from Brown’s ditch culvert to the main drain

Charts and graphs of cross sections from Brown’s ditch culvert to the main drain, cross sections from the feeder on the road allowance between lots 26 and 27 in the 5th concession of Humberstone, Cross sections of the main drain from Lyons Creek culvert to the road allowance between lots 7 and 8 in Wainfleet and cross selections of the old ditch on the west side of the road allowance between lots 17 and 18 in the 3rd concession in Wainfleet (8 pages, hand drawn), n.d.

County of Welland estimate (copy) of work done on the main drain of the marsh lands by Andrew Mains

County of Welland estimate (copy) of work done on the main drain of the marsh lands by Andrew Mains, signed by S.D. Woodruff. Estimate no.6, Jan. and Feb., 1856.

County of Welland estimate of work done on the main drain of the marsh lands by Alexander Cook

County of Welland estimate of work done on the main drain of the marsh lands by Alexander Cook, signed by S.D. Woodruff. Estimate no.7, Jan. and Feb. and Mar., 1856.

County of Welland estimate (copy) of work done on the main drain of the marsh lands by Andrew Mains

County of Welland estimate (copy) of work done on the main drain of the marsh lands by Andrew Mains, signed by S.D. Woodruff. Estimate no.7, Mar., 1856.

Estimate for Mr. A. Cook on main drain of marsh lands sent to S.D. Woodruff by Fred Holmes

Estimate for Mr. A. Cook on main drain of marsh lands sent to S.D. Woodruff by Fred Holmes, Mar. 28, 1856.

County of Welland estimate of work done on the main drain of the marsh lands by Alexander Cook

County of Welland estimate of work done on the main drain of the marsh lands by Alexander Cook, signed by S.D. Woodruff. Estimate no.8, April, 1856.

County of Welland estimate of work done on the main drain of the marsh lands by Alexander Cook

County of Welland estimate of work done on the main drain of the marsh lands by Alexander Cook, signed by S.D. Woodruff. Estimate no.9, May, 1856.