Disney characters : the reflect of women's place in the society Walt Disney, under his real name Walt Elias Disney was born in 1901 in Chicago. He founded in 1923 the famous Walt Disney Company with his brother Roy as the Disney Brothers Studios. After three years, the studios take the name Walt Disney Company. Their first animated film came out in 1937 "Snow White" inspired by a famous children's story by the Brothers Grimm. Thereafter follow many animated films like Cinderella, Mulan, or Rebel. One of the most important question in recent years is : What image Disney returns with respect to the role of women and the role that women play in society in the twenty-first century? In fact, Disney is primarily a media and integrate media stereotypes and habits of society to which they belong in their history or animated movie. Disney is the reflects of the habit of society to which they belong in their history or their short films. Thus heroines like Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora are submitted to wish than others, especially men, have chosen for her. They are docile women who spend their time dreaming. They are always save by men from a evil spell and are submit to the will of men. Instead, the heroines of the late twentieth century are beginning to take their lives and rebel against the male authority . In the twenty-first century heroines are increasingly rebelling and advocate of feminist principles : women are the equals of men. This analysis allows us to see a marked increase of women's place in society. The woman is no longer the instrument of men, but she dares to rebel and run her own life. The mentality, habits, and even laws have changed thanks to the image of the woman shows in Disney animated films. Disney is a holder of innovation. It allows children, essentially girls, to find them to their society and live in their time.

Pythagoras wrote in the sixth century before Christ: "There is a good principle which created order, light and man, and an evil principle which created chaos, darkness and woman." Then, the man is represented as intelligence, perfection, goodness while the woman personifies evil, danger, suffering. For centuries, women have suffered from this legacy. Since women received different education than men at home and at schools, men tend to have power over women, which gave rise

to the stereotype that women were submissive to men. In 1949, Simone de Beauvoir explains in her book "The Second Sex" that children's literature, the mythology, and stories, were the reflection of myths created by the pride and desires of men: it is through the eyes of men that the young girls explore the world and decrypt their destiny. Women therefore recognize these heroines who represent them and show them the attitudes they must adopt to be comfortable in the society in where they live. The place of women in society for a long time was summed up by the roles of mother and wife. They were totally dependent of society and were subject to a destiny they have not chosen. Nonetheless, the woman was always a source of inspiration for fashion designers, writers, or creators of animated films. Also, men have a real attraction to women, who are considered as muses: as Andy Warhol with Marilyn Monroe or Marc Jacob with Kate Moss. These women were always put in the background despite their involvement. However, profound changes are taking shape in the twentieth century, thanks to the help of the heroes highlighted by Disney. These heroines are the foundation of a changing society and of the power given to the woman. Disney princesses and heroines allowed the image of women to be reborn in showing the evolution of their position in the society to redefine women's role, importance, and contribution over the ages.

In the early 20th century woman is represented by Disney in the role of a naive woman who bends the rules imposed by society. Julie Dierickx published in 2007 a book entitled " The revival of Belgian news magazine women at the dawn of the third millennium, memory licensing information and communication", where she explains the role of women is no longer limited only to wife and mother, but rather they become equal to men. However, the press must send a picture of the woman always good wife but also a liberated woman , more independent and more convenient. According to the press at the time , the woman is supposed to stay at home to look after children, cleaning and cooking : they must be submissive to their husbands. Disney portrays these stereotypes in his first feature film " Snow-White " in 1937. Snow-White is indeed a girl who meets the criteria of beauty of the 30s. Description Snow White coincides with

the description of the women in the thirties: short black hair that match the desire of women to give up the fringe for a high forehead, although red and luscious lips, big expressive eyes front. Furthermore, she is graceful, innocent, romantic and very naive that personify the American stereotype of the perfect woman who is confined to a purely traditional role. Snow White as The Sleeping Beauty (1959) or Cinderella (1950) aspire only a dream : finding true love. All these heroines will be delivered from evil by their prince. This shows their dependence on men and the influence they exert on them, and thus reflects the mentality of the mid-twentieth century. The most striking example of this statement is that of Aurora. A wicked fairy casts a spell on the Princess that will be issued only if a Prince Charming gives her a kiss. We can thus say that if Prince Charming had never come, Aurora would never wake up. The woman is totally subject to the will of man. Indeed every princesses are always under the influence of a person or a curse : their stepmother representing the family unit, and the princes, their husbands. The man here, prince charming is created to guide them, make them live, admire, and protect them. Thus they pass from the control of their parent to their husbands never making any decisions that are unique to themselves. In addition, these heroines convey the image of a woman slave: Cinderella is constantly responsible for housework; Snow-White is hosted by the seven dwarfs in exchange for doing household chores. The role of women is confined to wife model must stay home to take care of children and do housework. Disney puts in scene housewives, but against all odds seems happy with their lot. They seem to derive pleasure from their work : Snow-White and Cinderella sing when they are cleaning the house. They do not seem unhappy. Indeed, Snow White is the stereotype of the submissive woman who likes to take care of her house: the first thing she does on arriving at the dwarf is to clean. In addition, the lyrics are explicit: "whistle working and brush will seem light." Their only means of escape persecution exerted by their stepmother is dreaming while working. In addition, each embodies the canons of beauty for years in which they were created. Snow White is the feminine ideal of the thirties, the Cinderella of the early 50s and the Aurora of the late fifties. They are all beautiful, fine, graceful and especially docile. Women of the thirties were not considered by

men as their equal and they had to be fragile and docile. The only way for women to become independent during these years was to be beautiful and famous. However, some events, such as the affirmation of the role of women in the workforce during the Second World War let that this attitude have gradually changed. The context of the post-war years allows women to assert themselves. This new image affects more independent heroines compared to pre-war heroines. In 1944 women get the right to vote which gives them a new power and a new advocate independence. While they are still some way subject to the power of men because certain social positions are reserved exclusively for men, but on the other hand, they can assert themselves with more rights. However, this is marked by slow progression ambient sexism. American women activists in the early 60s fight for women's rights and equality between sex; they are followed by the French and the British from the 70s. Disney operates as a radical movement in its way of representing women : they are not as naive and did not seem to flourish by performing household chores. Child women that were Snow White and Cinderella do not longer exist. They are replaced by heroines who shout loudly their conviction and are willing to fight for them. In 1970 we find in " Duchess " an irregular heroine in “The Aristocats” this is a single mother who is raising her three children and meets a new man " O'Malley ". You can see a woman freed from the influence of old conventions and sexuality. She is able to manage her life without the help of a man and marries him not by convenience but by love and especially since when she decided. Disney in 1977 released a new feature called " The Rescuers". We see two mice, one female and one male, who work together and are equal. Bianca shows a woman who is not longer fragile than she was and her willing to engage her in many adventures. Women have become free and resourceful : they are no longer afraid to do what they want. However, we must wait until 1989 to attend the Disney's heroines rebellion. Indeed, Ariel (The Little Mermaid) is the first who dares to rebel against her father and decides to completely manage her life. She transgress the rules to reach the Earth and her lover. This rebellion essentially involves disobedience towards the masculine image embodied by her father. In addition, the Little Mermaid wears very little clothing

on her unlike the heroines like Snow White and Cinderella which are too dressed and not let see a spot a piece of their skin. Ariel, wears a scantily clad: a simple bra that lets discover her stomach and her chest. This is a revolution for Disney that shows an image of the woman freer and selfconfident. She does not care what others may think about her. In 1995, “Pocahontas” have been created almost at the image of the “Little mermaid”. Women become emancipated, free, engaged, and get enraged. Pocahontas is the first non-white heroine of a Disney movie which is showing that the society becomes more tolerant; especially for non-white women. This is represented turning point for non-white women and their acceptation in the society. The film " Pocahontas " is a symbol for all feminists because she represents strength, determination and loyalty : her strength comes from her way of life that forces her to face the men who assume otherwise would do what they want of her ; her determination and her loyalty are demonstrated by her fights to save his tribe but also the man she loves . " Pocahontas " represents the women's of the twentieth century who dare to assert themselves . In addition, the roles are reversed : it is no longer the man who saved the woman, but the opposite. Mulan is a heroine of the same generation as Pocahontas. Mulan is carried by that obtained independence women in American society. Mulan is a contemporary character whose story is based on a true story. She is courageous , independent and less focused on finding a husband. However, some positions are still reserved for men, especially in the army, Mulan must make many sacrifices to enter in. In order to succeed in proving that being a woman is not a handicap, but also to save his family, she decided to become man and to enter in the Chinese army in place of her father sick. She cuts her hair and swapped her dresses against clothes soldiers. Her strength and determination are able to make her the best soldier until her commandant discover who she really is. Thus, Pocahontas and Mulan are the symbols of empowerment of women because it does not expect a man to come to their aid , on the contrary they are the ones who save their nation. However, this heroines are not again totally liberate from the men's influence and the feminist's fight carry on. Princesses of the twenty-first century are created to pass messages and try to break

prejudged it might still be. For nearly forty years the feminist movement is accepted and can make a difference. However, these heroines embody still own society of the twenty-first century feminine perfection : they are strong, smart, and totally freed from the power of men. In 2000 passed a law on parity in political parties in France which places women in positions they never planned to make. This parity laws and advanced high for women who can enter the same place as men without fear of being discriminated against because they are " the inferior sex ." They are thus able to realize their dream. Thus in "The Incredibles" (2004 ) women are equal to men : they are endowed with power as men and dare to adventure. The heroines of the 2000s are supported by a new independence and seems more determined than ever to meet their dream and let fate drive their actions. They are the antithesis of that Snow White could represent . Moreover, they seem to be a mirror of the company . And in 2010 released " The Princess and the Frog" which tells the story of Tiana an African American girl. This is the first time that Disney features a black heroine. Society changes and Disney must adapt. Indeed, Barack Obama was elected U.S. President in 2008. Tiana is a very simple woman who dreams quite ordinary, reflecting a more realistic version of the company, which is not embellished by a prince which come all saved. Instead, it is Tiana who help the prince of a bad escape. Tiana is a very accurate representation of the woman of the 2000s : she is ambitious, determined, courageous and hardworking. Tiana just want to open a restaurant and succeed in life as most women of our time. During the movie, she says several phrases which shows the wish to succeed alone " is not dreaming of the things that has made them. " This sentence can be a critique of the Disney heroines of the 30s who spent their time singing and simply waiting for their prince charming to pick them realize their dreams. In 2010 come out " Tangled ," which represents the come back of Disney. Indeed it is one of the only heroine who appears not makeup and stays natural . However,the representation of Rapunzel's character can have two images of women in the society. On one hand, the image returns by Rapunzel of the woman is negative because she is facing a problem that does not seem to solve alone and seek the help of a man. Except that for some years , Disney shows strong female characters who are able to fend for themselves. However on the other

hand, Rapunzel does not seem to need the brigand "Flinn Rider " to achieve her ends. In addition, she is the one who will save him at the end , so it does not seem under the authority of that man. Indeed Rapunzel is a very complex character ; it also shows the complexity of being a woman in our society. Women should look a certain way to be suitable in society but when they return home they can be themselves. The place of women in society acquired by the appearance they return. Thus we find a symbolic message in this film: Rapunzel in being blond women was submitted to the will of men and could only dream, as princess in the 30's, however when she cuts her hair and becomes brown she enters in the modernity. This image shows a sweat modern woman but also who knows how to fight for what she wants. On this model have been created Merida (" Rebel ") in 2012 who reversed all conveniences : it is a princess who refuses to submit her and does not aspire to the life of a princess who should be her. Merida's mother passes are time reprimand her because it does not match the standard of the Disney princesses " A princess is not laughs . She is not stuff herself, wake up early, is compassionate, patient, careful, clean. " And his mother tries to transform into a suitable woman, but instead Merida aspire to a "life of man." Merida is thus a feminist protagonist claiming equality between the sexes: it is not because she is a woman she can not go to war as men. Merida attack Disney's tradition in refusing marriage and especially the prince that goes with it. "Rebel " is a feminist animated film that pushes women to revolt : indeed win her own hand and by this gesture win her freedom. Rebel shows the struggle of women for gender equality is fully respected in our society.

Walt Disney has created an empire of cartoon giving lives in iconic fairy tale heroines. Through it, Disney has created the image of women in contemporary society. Snow White in 1938, was a gentle, obedient and submissive women to the will of men, while Rebel in 2012, became a strong woman, who assert her opinions and take control of her own destiny. These cartoons return an image of the woman which was prefabricated by the company; therefore they reveal the place that is given to them in society. Instead of Disney heroine is no longer relegated to what the man

wants to do but to the will of the heroine, she wants to accomplish. Relations between men and women and social behavior are an essential part of Disney productions which generate the feminist debate.

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