Critical Discourse Analysis of the Evolution of Walt Disney Animations Focused on Females

Analysis of visual media using the critical discourse analysis approach is an effective method. With a new approach and using Fairclough's views in the tradition of critical discourse analysis, this qualitative study has dealt with the Evolution of Walt Disney animations’ focus on females. Accordingly, both linguistic and non-linguistic aspects of three Walt Disney animations, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Beauty and the Beast, and Frozen 2 -each of which respectively representing classic, renaissance and new era periods- have been analyzed. The selection criterion for these animations, apart from their “female” main character, is their temporal dimension. In Fairclough's three-dimensional analysis framework, the description section is based on Halliday's views, the text and visual signs interpretation section is based on Leuween’s views and philosophers such as Michel Foucault, and the explanation section -which analyzes discourse, power relations, social institutions, and hegemony- is based on the views of Foucault, Althusser, and Bourdieu. In addition, various types of signs have been analyzed by taking advantage of leuween’s, Pierce’s and Barthes’s views. Also, the trinity has not been separately analyzed, but in connection with each other and in the Hegelian tradition. Using these views, how women are represented in these animations has been shown and the purpose, power, and hegemony behind these animations are expressed. In addition to imposing a special lifestyle on the audience, the creators of the animations have achieved more sales and wealth by activating the female character.