Representation of feminist heroism in Moana (2016) in the context of fourth-wave feminism

Abstract

[eng] This paper examines the transgressive representation of femininity in Disney’s film Moana. Drawing on the concept of gender performativity coined by Judith Butler it will analyse the change in female representation that led to heroines like Moana. Key scenes of the film will be studied in connection to Moana’s active performance and strong personality to demonstrate that in the context of the fourth-wave feminism, and as a Disney heroine, Moana embodies the enduring feminist values of empowerment and agency constituting a continuity with the feminist agenda. The incorporation of female solidarity as a new component in Disney films will also be considered as the factor that inscribes Moana in the feminist, rather than in the post-feminist discourse. First, it will examine the evolution of female representation that paved the way for the emergence of female heroines in the Disney film industry. Then, it will address the concepts of empowerment and agency to analyse them in relation to the protagonist’s performance of femininity. Finally, it will conclude by drawing a parallel between online support communities, characteristics of fourth-wave feminism, and the role of Moana’s grandmother.