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Gender Roles In Disney's Rapunzel

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The story of Rapunzel and Mother Gothel has been told many times since its publication in 1812, and has been utilized by numerous writers of various genres to reflect the changing culture and values of the corresponding audiences. From the original publication by the Grimm Brothers, to the graphic novel entitled Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale, Rapunzel’s story has certainly proven to be malleable in nature, and provide for the opportunity to analyze the differences between these texts. This adaptability is, arguably, especially present in the animated film, Tangled (Disney’s version of the story). In comparison to the original Grimm publication, the variances in details about key characters and their backstories, along with the way that animation portrays these characters in all point to a very clear message about gender roles in …show more content…
Rapunzel, the most important female character, is animated to be petite and beautiful. She has an impossibly small waist, large eyes, perfect skin, and small hands and feet. All of these qualities are typically considered feminine, and, further, the ideal appearance for a woman. Rapunzel’s personality is brave, altruistic, and capable. The male characters, however, exhibit a wide range of personality types and of attractiveness. Flynn is obviously animated to be attractive, but there are other characters who are not, such as the eccentric characters from The Snuggly Duckling. Some of them are old, some are overweight, and some have physical deformities. This correlation communicates a subtle message that beautiful and feminine women are also, in essence, good (and vice versa). However, men can have positive character qualities regardless of their

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