Media Representation

I chose the Disney film “Tangled” as my summer text to study. Made in 2010 and directed by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard. The film itself is an interpretation of the fairy tale “Rupunzel” by the Brothers Grim.

Media Representations
Who is being represented?

• In what way?
• By whom?
• Why is the subject being represented in this way?
• Is the representation fair and accurate?
• What opportunities exist for self-representation by the subject?

In the film there are 3 main characters Rupunzel, Flynn Ryder, Mother Gothel.  Not only are the usual males and females there are also very important roles played by animals, Maximus the horse and Pascal the chameleon.

Females

The film consists of two important female roles. The protagonist, Rupunzel and the villain, Mother Gothel. This connotes that the female gender is the dominate gender in the film.  However females are represented in two completed different ways. They act as opposites.

Rupunzel

Rupunzel is the protagonist in the film and follows the typical stereotypical damsel in distress. Locked in a tower waiting to be able to leave it and feeling trapped which is a stereotype of fairy tale princess’s. Rupunzel also follows the convention of a typical house wife as she cooks and cleans while being locked up. She does all house choruses. Rupunzel is shown feeble at the beginning in front of Gothel.  She hesitates to ask if she can leave the tower and when she does, Rupunzel she needs encouragement from her friend Pascal the chameleon. Whenever Rupunzel is shown next to Gothel she is shown in high angle shot which connotes Gothel is more powerful and important to Rupunzel.
However Rupunzel then breaks the stereotype as she stands up to Flynn Rider, a male, and also throughout the film she is shown to be brave and strong. An example of this is when the go to the bar “Snugly Duckling” Rupunzel stands up for Flynn and potentially saves him instead of him saving her. She also is able to break through and connect with the thugs in the bar. Also in the film at the end Rupunzel sticks up for herself and confronts Gothel once she discovers the truth, this also connotes her strength and bravery.
Another stereotype that Rupunzel follows to a certain extant is the typical blonde. She has a very few “Blonde moments”. For example, when she hits herself on the head with the frying pan. However this is broken most of the time and she is connoted to be quite clever and witty.

Gothel

Gothel is the stereotypical evil villain. She kidnaps Rupunzel when she was a child and uses her for her own benefit. She represents the female gender as evil and manipulative. An example of this would be when she uses two of the thief’s too her advantage to get Rupunzel back. Gothel is the fem fatal, she is constantly shown in a low angle shot and through her song “Mother Knows Best” her body language is always straight and up right. This connotes she is powerful and has control. Women are also represented to be caring through Gothel as she cares about Rupunzel throughout the film even though it is for her own benefit connoting women to be selfish.

Males

Flynn Ryder

Even though the protagonist is a female, there are more males in the film.  The main male protagonist is Flynn Ryder. Through him males a presented as good looking sneaky characters. For example, when accidentally stumbles on Rupunzel’s tower, he is running and hiding from guards as he steals the lost princess’s crown. He is shown in a negative light and as typical “bad boy”. This can be accepted however because in a particle society the male gender is a dominate one. He also shows males to be good looking charmers. For example when first meets Rupunzel he tries to charm his way out of the situation and he threatens to use his looks as a weapon, connoting males naivety and arrogance.

Animals: Pascal and Maximus  

The animals in the film are represented as faithful and funny. They are used to connote that they are the humans best friends and are there for them in a time of need. For example Pascal the chameleon is constantly by Rupunzel’s side and this connotes he is always there and faithful. It also connotes that he cares for her as when she is happy he is too and when she is upset he turns blue and connotes he is upset to. The other animal Maximus the horse is shown in a different light. He is shown to be faithful to his master the chief at first and is always after Flynn, because it is the right thing to do considering Flynn is a thief. However in the end he is represented to be brave and loyal as he helps Flynn save Rupunzel. Both animals are represented in a positive light and are there for the comical element.