Little Mothers and Big Mothers: Gender Representations in Animation Films

ARIYOSHI Suemitsu

doi:10.34370/jjas.17.2_23

<p>Early Disney heroines such as Snow White fit neatly within a patriarchal view of society in which women are confined to passive roles centered around the stereotypes of the good wife or wise mother whose skills are mainly centered around housework. These heroines seldom take the initiative to change their fates and instead are often portrayed as beautiful heroines meekly awaiting rescue by princes. On the other hand, today's Japanese animated films such as those produced by Studio Ghibli are notable for their active female roles. Yet this does not necessarily imply simply that modern Japanese screenwriters are affirming the independence of women. Upon closer examination, it is clear that especially in the films directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the female characters fit into one of two types: first, active young girls, and second, earth-goddess like "Big Mother" characters. The large gap between these two extremes is interesting in the way in which it seems to express the peculiarities of the screenwriter's views on gender roles.Here, I will examine the portrayal of gender roles in Disney films and compare them primarily with films directed by Hayao Miyazaki to arrive at an analysis of the state of gender representations in today's animated films.</p>

Little Mothers and Big Mothers: Gender Representations in Animation Films

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