A Critical Examination of the Representation of Female Characters in Hollywood Animation with Emphasis on the Islamic Perspective on Women (Case Study: Frozen)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Master's Student, Social Communications, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Social Communications, University of Religions and Denominations; Member of the Department of Propaganda and Communications, Al-Mustafa International Universiyt, Qom, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Research Institute of Islamic Sciences and Culture, Qom, Iran.

10.22034/scs.2025.70649.1382

Abstract

Given the profound influence of media on shaping social expectations and gender roles, the present study critically examines the representation of female characters in Hollywood animation, with particular emphasis on the Islamic perspective on women, focusing on the animated film Frozen. This is applied qualitative-analytical research conducted through a semiotic approach. Data collection methods included textual analysis, visual analysis, and comparative examination with other sources. Data analysis was carried out using qualitative content analysis, review, and coding techniques. The findings indicate that Frozen, through the use of key signs and symbols, portrays women’s empowerment and independence, offering a new image of their roles in contemporary society and culture. Elsa’s “ice castle” symbolizes both her capabilities and the heavy responsibilities she bears, reflecting women’s efforts to achieve independence and control over their own lives. The characters’ costumes, along with the choice of colors and patterns, contribute to a deeper understanding of their identities and social roles, revealing cultural and social influences on women. Key scenes in which the characters face serious challenges effectively convey cultural and social messages, emphasizing the importance of individual choices. Elsa’s transformation from isolation to self-acceptance and mastery of her powers delivers a strong message about embracing one’s true identity and breaking free from social constraints. The findings reveal that while both perspectives stress the importance of women’s independence and empowerment, divergences exist in certain aspects, such as clothing and social relationships, which warrant further investigation. Overall, Frozen, as a prominent example of female representation, offers fresh and positive portrayals of women, functioning not only as entertainment but also as a tool for reshaping attitudes and beliefs about women in modern society. By providing positive role models for younger generations, it promotes the values of equality and independence among women.

Keywords

References

قرآن کریم.
استریناتی، دومینیک (1380). نظریه‌های فرهنگ عامه. ترجمه ثریا پاک نظر. تهران: گام نو.
خامنه‌ای، سید علی (13/04/1386). بیانات در دیدار گروه کثیری از بانوان نخبه در آستانۀ سالروز میلاد حضرت زهرا(س). قابل دسترس در:    https://farsi.khamenei.ir/speech-content?id=3390
خامنه‌ای، سید علی (20/12/1375). بیانات در اجتماع بانوان خوزستان. قابل دسترس در:
https://farsi.khamenei.ir/speech-content?id=7284
خامنه‌ای، سید علی (30/07/1376). بیانات در همایش بانوان بزرگ در ورزشگاه آزادی به مناسبت جشن میلاد کوثر. قابل دسترس در:                               https://www.leader.ir/fa/speech/1501
سلطانی، سید حسن؛ کهوند، مریم؛ صادقیان، حمید (1400). تحول بازنمایی زن قهرمان: سینمای انیمیشن دیزنی از سفیدبرفی و هفت کوتوله تا زوتوپیا. هنرهای زیبا: هنرهای نمایشی و موسیقی، 26(4)، ص17-27.
عضدانلو، حمید (1396). آشنایی با مفاهیم اساسی جامعه‌شناسی. تهران: نشر نی.
فرهادپور، مراد (1375). درباره مضامین و ساختارهای دیالکتیک روشنگری. ارغنون، شماره 11-12،
ص257-290.
قندهاریون، َعذرا؛ رستمی، محبوبه (1396). بازنمایی کلیشه و ضد کلیشه زن کاوشی در دنیای تبلیغات تلویزیون ایران با رویکرد تحلیل گفتمان انتقادی فرکالف. راهبرد فرهنگ، 10(38)، ص85-206.
مهدی‌زاده، سید محمد (1389). نظریه‌های رسانه: اندیشه‌های رایج و دیدگاه‌های انتقادی. تهران: همشهری.
Bordo, S. (1993). Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture, and the Body. Berkeley: University of California Press
Connell, R.W. (2005). Masculinities. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Doe, M. (2014). Gender Roles in Modern Animation. Journal of Media Studies, 22(3),
p. 123-145.
Flick, U. (2014). An Introduction to Qualitative Research. Fifth Edition. Sage Publication.
Gabler, N. (2006). Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination. New York: Knopf.
Gauntlett, D. (2008). Media, Gender and Identity: Inside Contemporary Television. Routledge.
Goffman, E. (1979). Gender Advertisements. New York: Harper & Row.
Hall, S. (1997). The Work of Representation. In: Cultural Representation and Signifying Practice. Sage Publication.
Harris, S. (2010). Visual Communication and Children's Media. Visual Communication Quarterly, 17(2), p. 78–89.
Hinton, P.R. (2013). Stereotypes, cognition and culture. Psychology Press. Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society, 20(12), p. 380-389.
Johnson, D.F. (2017). Children's Media in the Digital Age. Journal of Children and Media, 11(3), p. 245–250.
 
Lee, J. & Chen, M. (2019). Animation as a Medium for Educational Communication. Educational Technology & Society, 22(2), p. 112–123.
Lind, R. (2008). Gendered Media: The Influence of Media on Views of Gender. In: Media, Gender and Identity (pp. 43-60). New York: Routledge.
Liu, Y. & Yang, M. (2021). The transformation of female images in Disney animated films from the 20th to the 21st century in the context of the American feminist movement. In: 2021 4th international conference on humanities education and social sciences (ICHESS 2021), 1034-1039). Atlantis Press.
Mulvey, L. (1975). Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema. Screen
Owrt, C., Smith, J. & Lee, M. (2015). Gender Representation in Disney Animated Films: A Content Analysis of Female Characters. Journal of Media and Culture, 18(3), p. 45–60.
Rice, R.E. (2015). Media and Communication Effects Theories. In: International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences. Elsevier.
Tuchman, G. (1978). The Symbolic Annihilation of Women in the Media. In: The Media Studies Reader (pp. 15-26). New York: Routledge.
Watson, J. & Hill, A. (2015). Dictionary of media and communication studies. Bloomsbury Publishing USA.
 

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics