Moana

July 6, 2020

As I viewed Dr. Bogad's Disney Slide Deck, about her experiences with Disney, I thought about my first visit to Disney.  In contrast, to Dr. Bogad's experiences, the first time I went to Disney was as an adult with my husband in December of 1999.

Going to Disney World as an adult is certainly a different experience than it is for a child; however, I could feel the presence of my inner child as I stepped foot into Magic Kingdom for the very first time.  Immediately, I thought....when I have children, they will not be deprived of this childhood experience like I was.  I definitely bought into Disney being the "Happiest Place on Earth."  

On December 10, 2000, I was blessed with a daughter.  With her birth, came my contribution to the $4 billion dollar industry.  Sure enough each and every one of her birthday parties from 1 to 6 years were princess themed.  Yes, you do see Cinderella in attendance at one of her birthdays. Not to mention...when her twin cousins came over, they dressed up in their princess attire and we decorated cupcakes.  Oh, and of course, she was a different princess every year for Halloween.  

I can honestly say that I was not analyzing text as I promoted my daughter to be a "princess." Sadly, I can not say that I learned by the time I had my second daughter.  Caitlyn had the same experiences as her sister Madison.   I associated the idea of the Disney Princess as cute and magical.  Please do not get the impression that I was setting my daughters up to be swept away by a handsome prince.  Or as Dorfmon states, giving them the "secret education," delivered by children's books and movies.   I certainly did not critique the text of the Disney Princess.  As they were dressing as princesses, they were playing soccer, basketball, softball and tennis.  It is with pleasure, I tell you that even though I was naive in my thinking about buying into the princess culture...my adult daughter, is not waiting for  prince charming to save the day.  She is a strong, independent woman, whom I admire.  

The Disney Princess reign ended around 2012 in my house, and switched to super heroes.  Therefore, I never saw the movie Moana when it was released in 2016.  It is interesting to critique a Disney Movie for the first time.  

Needless to say, as I read Christensen's, Unlearning the Myths that Bind Us, I was both horrified and enlightened.  Horrified to learn the damage I could have done to my daughters and enlightened to critiquing fairy tales.   In an attempt to revitalize how women are portrayed in Disney Movies, Moana embodies a different role as the female main character.  Her strength and determination to set sail on her own to save her people is inspiring.  Although she is met with opposition by the males in the movie, she proves them wrong.  However, Disney does not give up on the message that masculinity is valued in society.  The overpowering size of Chief Tui and Maui are emphasized to show male dominance.  In contrast, Tamatoa, the crab is being stereotyped as gay and adored with jewels.

Disney is not ready to relinquish the submissive role of women yet either.  Moana's mother is clearly subservient to her husband.  However, she shows some glimmer of hope as stands behind Moana to sail beyond the reef.  Grandmother is the wind beneath Moana's wings.  She is the voice of inspiration, encouragement and strength.  The issue is, she is perceived as the "crazy lady."  She is "crazy" because she thinks differently, she challenges men?

I found beauty in the ending, Te Fiti transformed into TeKa because of what men have taken from women.  Symbolically, Moana returned Te Fiti's heart by finding the strength to face the obstacles set forth by society.  As Te Fiti and Moana come face to face, we see the resemblance.  I interpret the ending as Moana finding herself in the end and all the beauty of life spreads.  The beauty of embracing who we are.