From Eric to Tarzan: An Ethical Analysis of Lead Male Characters in Disney Animation Films Produced During the Company’s Renaissance Era

Artman, N.
51st Annual PCA National Conference
June 2021, Boston, MA (Shifted Online: COVID)

With the proliferation of mobile devices and wireless Internet, mediated content continues to become a large part of every child’s emotional and social experiences. Throughout the course of their lives, children will observe many models of ethical behavior performed by family members, community members, and/or fictional characters. These models become teachers as children grow and learn how to live and act in society. With that, children are more likely to imitate those with whom they share identity characteristics, such as gender, age, or cultural ethnicity (Bandura, Social Learning Theory). Therefore, it is more likely that a child will imitate a model of the same gender (Perry, and Bussey). This identification occurs when a child observes an action, belief, or value from a model and adopts it as their own.

Noting that media texts can serve as one source of such modeling, this critical analysis questions the manner in which children’s media model ethical behavior to young audiences. Specifically, this presentation employs Vogler’s 12-step Hero’s Journey to identify the portrayal and development of ethical perspectives in lead male characters of Disney animation films during the company’s Renaissance Era (1989-1999). Examination of these portrayals occurs to uncover an understanding of the ethical modeling Disney conveys to young boys as they develop their own codes of ethics.