Introduction
Contemporary cinema encompasses a wide range of issues, discussing the themes pertinent to society. Such topics as gender roles, stereotypes, and the promotion of inequality are often represented in the movies, attempting to shed light on the negative consequences of these practices. In the current age, the stereotypization of female protagonists frequently occurs in cartoon productions, leading to the propagation of views that promote hypermasculinity (García de Toro 17). The animated movie Moana, released in 2016, is one of the examples where the female hero encounters classically misogynistic obstacles that she is forced to overcome to achieve personal independence (Streiff and Dundes). From the feminist theory perspective, this work constitutes a post-feminist outlook on Moana’s story, portraying the young woman’s empowerment but simultaneously adopting a biased approach to the representation of gender qualities.
Literature Review: A Scholarly Perspective on Moana
The Representation of the Pasifika: Cultural Concerns
The movie Moana, being solely focused on the Pacific Islanders’ traditions and customs, has been examined by various studies on the subject of cultural representation. Depicting the story of Moana from Montunui, a young native Polyniseain girl, the animation work explores the primary traits of the Polynesian culture and attempts to provide an insight into the given community’s life (Leslie 19). However, regardless of Disney’s attempts to appropriately depict the unique traditions of the Pacifika, Moana encountered an ambiguous reception from scholars. While some authors discussed the film’s positive aspects, claiming that it perfectly demonstrates the distinct characteristics of the region, others have raised concerns regarding the cultural appropriation and stereotypization traits evident in Moana (Sternberg 3). In this regard, the academic thoughts on the animated movie remain divided, lacking a unified perspective.
After the work’s release, a significant number of Polynesian and Pacific Islander researchers discussed Moana‘s approach to the representation of indigenous cultures. Although Disney has incredible experience with depicting aboriginal communities, having produced such culturally-based animation movies as Mulan and Pocahontas, the studio was repeatedly accused of misappropriating the nation’s heritage and promoting cultural bias (Sternberg 2). However, several studies that offer a deep evaluation of Moana propose that the present work is drastically distinct from its predecessors and carefully handles possible concerns. For instance, Sternberg and Tamaira and Fonoti report that Moana‘s development process was based on insights from Polynesian history, indigenous culture, and individuals belonging to this ethnic group (5; 298). As a result, the events occurring in Moana are primarily accurate from the cultural perspective, and the characters convey the distinctiveness of the nation’s heritage.
Nevertheless, a much larger body of research shows that Disney’s efforts were insufficient to overcome the pressure of monetization and conformity to American norms. The most crucial issues regarding cultural appropriation were voiced by native Polynesian authors and scholars, who argue that the story accommodates the dated Victorian biases about the appearance of the Polynesian geography and individuals (Hyland 12). As such, Hyland describes the numerous similarities between the typical depictions of Polynesians and Pacific Islanders that arose during the colonization era (12). Due to the wrongful impressions of Western colonizers, the region was perceived as a “paradise” or “heaven”, including the famous ideas about “white beaches” and “colorful scenery” (Hyland 12). Moana appears to follow this pattern, creating an image of an idyllic landscape coupled with a simple, collectivist lifestyle. Other native writers also support this position, critiquing the studio’s decision to promote the existing misconceptions regarding the region’s features and the historical life of its inhabitants (Anjirbag; Pérez-Simón 73). Therefore, even though Disney acquired the support of indigenous communities in the creation of Moana, the major stereotypes were still incorporated into this work, resulting in a wrongful illustration of the Polynesian culture.
The depiction of Maui, a crucial figure in Polynesian mythology, was the subject of the most heated debates surrounding Moana. Maui is reported to be a beloved character from the fictitious history of Polynesia, a demi-god whose intelligence and charm are well-known throughout the Pacifika (Hyland 15). Nonetheless, Disney represents Maui using the most common stereotypes about Polynesian men’s appearance, substituting a teenager for a large-bodied grown man (Streiff and Dundes). This change was heavily critiqued by scholars, who stated that the hero’s misrepresentation as a comedic character perpetuates negative attitudes towards the Polynesian culture and reshapes the indigenous spiritual lore according to American expectations (Tamaira and Fonoti 304). Thus, rather than embracing authentic ideas and myths of the Pacifika, the studio continues the tendencies set during colonization, altering the cultural reality to fit Western impressions.
The Feminist Critique
An abundance of scientific studies addressed the structure of Moana and the feminist themes emerging from the storyline. While the primary focus of the animated movie appears to be the battle for independence and the essence of life, a thorough examination of the plot reveals that overgeneralization and gender inequality frequently occur (Tamaira et al.). The majority of the research conducting an analysis of Moana notes the distinct gender stereotypes present in the protagonist’s setting and behavior, as well as in the appearance and actions of her counterpart, Maui.
Patriarchy and Paternal Control
The most evident symbols of patriarchy in Moana are the traditions and rules instilled by Chief Tui, the young girl’s father. In the initial scenes, Moana is overwhelmed by her father’s influence and is forced to follow his orders regardless of their faulty reasoning (Hollowell 2). As such, limited by masculine influence, the protagonist is compelled to follow the traditional, misogynist norms, complying with the customs established by Chief Tui. Such an overprotective pattern has been recognized as an Electoral theme by Streiff and Dundes, who claim that controlling father figures represent the young girls’ dilemma between being perfect daughters and following personal interests. Common in Disney’s works, patriarchial systems maintained by paternal characters and their link to the female characters’ disobedience address the uniqueness of the father-daughter connection and the inevitability of the daughters’ independence (Hollowell 5). From the feminist perspective, such a portrayal serves to prolong the stereotypes connected to the gender relationships within the family.
Hypermasculinity Features
Another problem voiced by feminist critics is related to the hypermasculinity traits evident in the representation of Maui. In addition to the aforementioned changes, speculated to be endorsed by the film’s profitability concerns, the demi-god’s character is highly masculine, with the majority of his characteristics emphasizing stereotypically masculine traits (Streiff and Dundes). The large body size, significant physique, and shapeshifting powers have been outlined as the primary aspects that demonstrate male superiority and are juxtaposed with Moana’s lack of experience, doubtfulness, and dependency (Streiff and Dundes). Hollowell argues that such a presentation of the main characters and the necessity to overcome male influence integrated into the story is a highly post-feminist approach to storytelling, evident in other Disney works (5). Although this method might be useful for demonstrating the female battle for empowerment, it also suggests that there is no need to promote feminist practices as females are capable of resolving any emerging complications themselves (Hollowell 4). Therefore, Moana continues Disney’s tendency towards creating post-feminist movies rather than promoting a profeminist strategy that recognizes the ethicality of equal opportunities for women.
Ideas Supporting Profeminist Representation
It is essential to note that only a small scope of feminist studies support the animation feature. For instance, Martín reports that Moana excellently represents the battle for female empowerment, establishing a strong example for ethnic minority women worldwide (1). In contrast with previously discussed research, the authors adopt the fourth-way feminist approach to signify that Moana exemplifies such values as an agency, independence, and female solidarity, suggesting that the movie can be defined as a profeminist (Martín 2). Indeed, the majority of the studies in the feminist theory support the idea that the named aspects of feminism are perfectly ingrained into the story and the characters’ behavior. However, the overall underlying message of the film is evaluated negatively (García de Toro 31). The most frequently occurring position holds that Moana perpetuates gender stereotypes through father-daughter relationships, male-hero hypermasculinity, and the importance of family for the heroine (Streiff and Dundes). From this perspective, Moana illustrates that women’s struggle for equality will always be framed in terms of gender, sexism, and biological function.
Even though Disney attempted to incorporate the insights from indigenous communities and organizations, scholars harshly critique the results of the studio’s endeavors and maintain a predominantly negative perspective towards the film. Native Polynesian and Pacific Island authors have expressed multiple concerns regarding the depiction of their population and mythology, explaining how these elements are grossly misrepresented (Hyland 12; Tamaira and Fonoti 301; Sternberg 19). However, an inconsistency becomes evident in the feminist evaluations of the animated picture. While it is noted that Moana depicts feminist values and aims to overcome the influence of misogyny, an overwhelming number of gender stereotypes are also claimed to be present. Therefore, it becomes necessary to establish whether the movie can be considered a powerful profeminist message or whether it promotes wrongful attitudes towards males and females.
Theories and Method
Considering that the available articles mostly rely on the feminist perspective, analyzing the film’s narrative but omitting its presentation form, the current paper proposes a combination of feminist and formalist theories. Feminism and formalism will be applied to understand the environment depicted in Moana and the movie’s message regarding gender roles. By utilizing both of these frameworks, it is possible to create a comprehensive examination of Moana’s core features, explaining how the formalist elements strengthen the movie’s message.
The Feminist Approach
The feminist approach is highly pertinent for this examination, as it concerns the relationships between the characters and the surrounding environment. Focused on the public representations of women, gender, and frequent stereotypization of female figures in the media, the feminist theory allows the unraveling of the female hero’s position on the screen (Hollowell 2). After that, the strategy also reveals the connections between women’s representations and considers how they are impacted by the public expectations of the female gender.
As a framework rooted in sociological analysis and psychological perceptions of gender, feminism is especially beneficial for evaluating a movie’s storyline and overall message. Although motion pictures might address numerous subjects, with genres varying from dramas to comedies, the relationships between the characters remain a vital concern for the film’s examination (Anjirbag). As such, the dynamics between the main heroes and the stereotypes enacted by them reflect not only the social standing of the individuals but also demonstrate acceptable and non-acceptable patterns of behavior for the audience (Streiff and Dundes). In this regard, animation sequences designated for younger watchers are regarded as powerful sources of influence that might establish behavioral patterns and attitudes that the person will rely on in the future (Streiff and Dundes). Following this idea, it is crucial to understand whether the plot of Moana supports ethicality towards gender and promotes acceptance or perpetuates harmful stereotypes towards different sexes. As a highly-grossing animation feature, Moana might have affected multiple audiences throughout the world (Anjirbag). Thus, evaluating the film using the feminist approach will shed light on its suitability for potential consumers in terms of gender representation.
The Formalist Theory
The second framework chosen for the current paper, the formalist theory, is especially advantageous for understanding how the film’s structural elements contribute to the message behind the work. Defined as a strategy that “looks specifically at matters of structure and style”, formalism arose as a method of exploring the core aspects of a given work (Ola-Koyi 67). For example, presentation, storytelling, writing, and literary devices are used to investigate how the primary theme of the publication is supported by its formal attributes (Ola-Koyi 67). Frequently utilized in addition to other approaches to the analysis of art, the discussed framework typically ignores the contextual factors and aims to define only the materials available in work (Ola-Koyi 67). From this perspective, formalism can aid researchers in clarifying how a publication’s claims are supported by its structure.
In film theory, the formalist method is essential for examining the film’s components. Film critics often rely on this strategy to observe a motion picture’s system as a whole and create a comprehensive review of the whole work (Ola-Koyi 68). For instance, the critical evaluation, implemented as a thorough instrument for movie analysis, allows scholars to gain an informed insight into the motion picture’s structural integrity and define the central purpose behind the creation (Ola-Koyi 68). As each part of the film’s system is intended to depict specific scenarios or discuss particular issues, by describing the movie’s forms, the critic can clarify the author’s main idea. Furthermore, this approach allows for suggesting what impression the work might have on the viewer, assessing the movie’s impact on the audience’s understanding of the central message (Ola-Koyi 69). Considering that contemporary motion pictures can greatly influence vast populations, outlining the essence of the work is vital for ascertaining its impact on society.
Textual Analysis
Textual analysis will be employed in the present paper to establish the main message of Moana and its connection to feminist values through film structure. The proposed approach is well-recognized for its versatility in the evaluation of media works, literary pieces, and other forms of expression that bear a linguistic aspect (Giovanni and Gambier 95). As a methodology for analyzing motion pictures, textual analysis is especially prominent due to its ability to examine the work’s cinematographical, audial, productional, and editing elements connected to the overall social and cultural contexts. As such, cinematographical aspects include lighting, color, and camera movement; audial features relate to the sound design; production is interpreted through mise-en-scene, and editing is considered in terms of shots, frames, and transitions (Giovanni and Gambier 95). During the analysis, the researcher utilizes contextual elements to create links between the narrative and the work’s structure, specifying how the film elements highlight the context in question. In this regard, textual analysis is highly valuable for understanding the motion picture’s underlying social and cultural meanings.
Other elements integral to the textual analysis are the tones of the work and its significance for the potential audience. Of special concern is the tone of the motion picture and the strength of the integrated idea, as well as how well these traits are supported by structural characteristics. When the tone and the central notion are strengthened by the film’s form, becoming an entertaining experience for the audience, the core concepts become more impressive, resulting in a higher acceptance of the introduced views (Giovanni and Gambier 95). Overall, the textual analysis provides a framework for interpreting the work as a composition of the primary film elements, combining the evaluation of the motion picture’s distinct features to create a comprehensive understanding of its message.
Examining Moana through Textual Analysis
Understanding the Story and Character Development
The most significant component of a film is its story, which incorporates the majority of the contextual elements needed for a clear understanding of the depicted events. Moana’s plot revolves around a young Polynesian girl, Moana, a daughter of a Chief from the village of Montunui (Leslie 19). Over the course of the initial sequences, which provide an insight into the protagonist’s childhood and adolescence, it becomes clear that Moana is drastically different from her peers and family, and has developed a unique bond with the ocean. As described later, the main character is protected by the ocean and seeks to protect it, which leads to her initiative to leave her village for exploration (Leslie 19). Although Moana’s father protests the journey, the young girl embarks on a path to restore the heart of Te Fiti, a goddess of fertility (Leslie 19). With the support of Maui, a powerful demi-god seeking to restore his magical fish hook, Moana survives a series of challenges, eventually returning Te Fiti’s heart and establishing an ecological balance throughout the Pacifika.
The analysis of the plot reveals that the work primarily tackles the themes of overcoming external influence and managing others’ expectations. The events of the movie consistently force Moana to establish her independence and prove that her abilities do not conform to other individuals’ impressions (Streiff and Dundes). Chief Tui’s protest against his daughter’s travel and the assuredness that she will become the next Chief, Maui’s dismissal of Moana’s capabilities, and the Tamatoa’s dissatisfaction with her appearance are prime examples of negative attitudes (Streiff and Dundes). However, as the story continues, Moana attains self-confidence and becomes the hero of Montunui, which signifies character development.
From the perspective of the formalist approach, Moana’s change into a Polynesian savior is manifested in the visual changes in her appearance and surroundings. After her return to Montunui, Moana reunites with her family, making peace with her father, and sets her people on the course of sailing and ocean exploration. While in the beginning sequences, the protagonist is dressed in traditional Polynesian clothing, which demonstrates her connection with the customs supported by her father and the older generations, in the later sequences, her garments are more distinct (Sternberg 16). Brighter colors and combinations of materials are visible, and the clothes of the villagers correspond with the young woman’s costume. In these scenes, the surrounding environment is highly positive, with the population presented as happy and an inspiring song featured to manifest the uplifting atmosphere. Following this evidence, it can be presumed that Moana’s challenges and her transformation are positive events that led to Chief Tui’s realization that novel ideas can result in beneficial changes.
However, a drastically different outlook becomes evident when the feminist approach is applied. The origins of Moana’s norm-contradicting behavior lie in the overprotecting practices implemented by her father, who seeks to guard her against external influence. As the main character opposes his views and seeks to fulfill her interests, rejecting the chief’s position designated to her, she protests her paternal overbearing nature and attempts to find independence (Hollowell 6). Such a representation of events is a traditional Disney approach to the gender conflicts in the family, which promotes the stereotypization of the father-daughter relationships and presents the male relatives as the main antagonists (Hollowell 6). Furthermore, in this scenario, females manifest dependent qualities, which suggests submission and compliance, while males represent power and authority.
Chief Tui, like the majority of the figures opposing Disney’s heroine’s freedom, is authoritative as a father and as a community ruler. Similar to the stories of Pocahontas and Little Mermaid, where female characters are overpowered by the traditional values held by their fathers, Moana’s father exerts control using paternal influence and chiefdom power (Anjirbag). It is also essential to acknowledge that each of the plots includes an ending that re-establishes the paternal connection and reinstates the daughter as an approved family member. Therefore, Moana’s storyline corresponds with Disney’s tendency to present the main conflict as a daughter’s opposition to the father’s oppression.
Color and Lighting: Building a Paradise
As a film set in the Pacific, Moana sought to represent the colorful scenery associated with the Polynesian way of life. As such, the colors of the villagers’ clothing until Moana’s return are fully traditional, consistent with Polynesian customs. More bland white and beige colors are present, and the overall garments are more simple (Sternberg 16). Nevertheless, in the closing sequence, as Moana leads the villagers onto a new journey, more bright red and pink colors are incorporated into the clothing. A larger number of accessories can also be observed, with costumes containing colorful seashells, flowers, and other items that signaled the shift from a conservative way of life towards an explorative and open-to-experience pathway. Although the initial sequences also include picturesque colors and bright lightning, their meaning becomes clearer in the closing events, as the clothing is perceived as highly distinct and impressive.
The Meaning of Sound and Lyrics
Similar to other Disney animation movies, Moana incorporates various songs that convey the most crucial elements of the plot and reveal additional information about the characters or the setting. Considering that music significantly impacts the audience’s impressions of the motion picture and creates a unique atmosphere that supports the core message, it is essential to consider the score composed for the discussed film (Anjirbag). In line with the overall theme that is centered on the Polynesian culture and customs, songs performed by the characters are mostly traditional, with sequences unique for Polynesian musical performers integrated into the works’ structures (Tamaira and Fonoti 305). For instance, the opening song of the animated movie is sung in one of the Polynesian languages and is a traditional prayer to the creative force in the native mythology, Tulou Tagaloa (Hyland 1). Although the audience might not be able to recognize the genre and the song’s intended meaning, its connection with Polynesian culture is highly obvious and offers an excellent transition into the indigenous world.
Nonetheless, even though the score is engulfed with insights from Polynesian music, the lyrics still represent the worldview of the American creators who worked on Moana. While the unique Polynesian musical elements are evident in the characters’ songs, the overall patterns are highly resemblant to other songs from Disney’s works, continuing the legacy of normative sounds for the general audience (Anjirbag). In this regard, the resulting work combines traditional musical elements and western additions, leading to a confusing mashup of drastically different cultures. As noted before, the opening song is derived from the traditional prayer to a Polynesian deity; the works closing song also contains authentic Polynesian music and integrates references to Polynesian history (Anjirbag). This evidence suggests that the village and its people are represented from a cultural standpoint in terms of music, supported by the auditory experience that creates an impression of the culture as a whole.
In contrast, “You are welcome” performed by Maui and “How far I will go” by Moana include only a small number of authentic characteristics. These compositions are similar to “A girl worth fighting for” and “Honor to us all”, presented in Mulan, which include mostly Western instruments (Anjirbag). Although inspired by Chinese musical tendencies, these songs do not serve as an instrument of revealing the cultural trades but confirm the expectations of western audiences.
Disney often utilizes songs as a method of defining the character’s characteristics. For instance, in Moana, “You are welcome” positions Maui as a rather comedic character and supports Disney’s interpretation which is barely connected to the actual mythology (García de Toro 23). Furthermore, this piece establishes Maui’s nature as a person who is proud of his physical strength and attractiveness, the core features of over-exaggerated masculinity. After that, “How far I will go” is one of Moana’s defining moments, revealing her insecurity regarding her life purpose and the father-daughter connection (García de Toro 23). This complication is not addressed in the final song, as Moana’s achievement is united with her people’s new goal of exploration. Such information also corroborates that Maui’s masculinity is underlined as one of his core features and is contrasted with Moana’s dependency on her paternal figure (García de Toro 31). Therefore, even though the studio attempted to gain insights from the Polynesian cosmology and native communities, the influence of the western post-feminist tradition is still highly evident in the characters’ musical scores.
Final Message: Westernization and Patriarchy
Overall, the textual analysis clarifies that Moana promotes gender biases, projecting a stereotypical representation of women, men, and father-daughter relationships. Although positive aspects exemplify the importance of empowerment, independence, and non-conformity, the final message conveyed through the structure remains rather negative. In Moana, the conflict between the father and the daughter becomes the basis of a young girl’s journey and the longing to become accepted by the paternal figure. Furthermore, Moana’s dependency and indecisiveness are juxtaposed with Maui’s hypermasculinity, creating a post-feminist environment where women if forced to overcome the obstacles created by men. This trend supports the Western expectations of gender relationships and is evident in other Disney works (Anjirbag). The ethnic motives that disappear in the characters’ songs and are replaced by Westernised trends symbolize that the Polynesian culture is reshaped into concepts that can be easily understood by a Western audience. Taking this evidence into account, it is clear that Moana is predominantly influenced by Western ideas and patriarchial concepts.
Conclusion
To conclude, the textual analysis method was implemented in this paper to understand the core notions behind Moana from the perspective of Formalist and Feminist theories. It has been argued that the discussed work contains elements of female empowerment and feminist values, supporting gender equality. Furthermore, authentic aspects of the Polynesian culture are ingrained into this motion picture, celebrating this indigenous community and revealing its unique characteristics. Such structural traits of Moana as cinematography, sound, production, and editing are mostly corresponding with the Polynesian features, establishing an impression of a distinct culture. Nevertheless, improper representation of female and male characters is still evident in the works of Disney Corporation. Gender stereotypes and character representations that align with the Western expectations are highly prevalent, suggesting that Disney’s post-feminist tendency is continued in Moana.
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