Social Order and Authority in Disney and Pixar Films (Studies in Disney and Culture)

Social Order and Authority in Disney and Pixar Films contributes to an essential, ongoing conversation about how power dynamics are questioned, reinforced, and disrupted in the stories Disney tells. Whether these films challenge or perpetuate traditional structures (or do both), their considerable influence warrants careful examination. This collection addresses the vast reach of the Disneyverse, contextualizing its films within larger conversations about power relations. The depictions of surveillance, racial segregation, othering, and ableism represent real issues that impact people and their lived experiences. Unfortunately, storytellers often oversimplify or mischaracterize complex matters on screen. To counter this, contributors investigate these unspoken and sometimes unintended meanings. By applying the lenses of various theoretical approaches, including ecofeminism, critiques of exceptionalism, and gender, queer, and disability studies, authors uncover underlying ideologies. These discussions help readers understand how Disney’s output both reflects and impacts contemporary cultural conditions. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION PART 1 MAINTAINING SOCIAL ORDERS 1 “WE DON’T LIKE WHAT WE DON’T UNDERSTAND” 2 ANIMATED FANTASY AND ISOLATION 3 THE MAGIC ISLAND OF SEABROOK HIGH PART II REGULATED WORLDS OF (RESISTING) CHILDREN 4 DO YOU WANT TO BUILD A CHILDHOOD TRAUMA? 5 “BECAUSE MY WORLD WOULD BE A WONDERLAND” 6 IT ISN’T JUST HIS NOSE THAT GROWS PART III CHALLENGING SOCIAL CONSTRUCTS 7 WHO CAN BE SUPER? 8 RISK AND REFLEXIVITY IN PIXAR’S THE INCREDIBLES 9 OUT THERE 10 PIXAR’S COCO INDEX ABOUT THE EDITORS "Social Order and Authority in Disney and Pixar Films initiates an essential conversation about how power dynamics are questioned, reinforced, and disrupted in the Disneyverse. Using various theoretical lenses, authors critique underlying ideologies and help readers understand how Disney's output both reflects and impacts our contemporary moment"-- Provided by publisher