Moana

Sarah, Annie, Saba, Gabe

a

Roles and Rules

In this movie we see that it is desirable for Moana to want to
write her own story. Her father wants to try and keep her safe
and thinks she should stay on the island. But when her island
is put in jeopardy she sets off alone to save her island. She is
breaking her family’s expectations and following what she feels
is right. Moana is a fierce independent woman and an example
of the cultural feminist perspective. She is showing the world
that she can be an independent strong woman who is capable
of writing her own story without the help of a man. Contrary to
many past Disney movies Moana is not a princess in need of
saving, she instead is a princess doing the saving.
b
Characters: Models and Anti Models
Moana
Moana breaks free from the Disney Princess
archetype. She is independent and determined.
Moana listens to her heart as the ocean calls
her to restore the heart of Te Fiti. Her
compassionate characteristics are admired,
desireable, and stand out as she takes care of
her animals, children in the tribe, and her
grandma. and they are admirable. Moana is a
natural born leader in her community, her
parents acknowledge that, but she goes above
and beyond, sailing across the ocean to save
her island. When she is faced with danger and
hardships, Moana proceeds with more
determination and bravery than Maui, the
demigod. These characteristics are portrayed as
desirable because it shows that women are not
always the “damsel in distress” yet they have
the power to single handedly accomplish
whatever they put their heart to. Moana is not
only a model to young girls to be brave,
compassionate, passionate, and relentless, but
all women as a strong individual.
Maui
Maui would be considered the anti-model in this
text because he displays characteristics that are
undesirable such as selfishness, arrogance, and
insecurity. Maui is a demigod who stole the heart of
Te Fiti to impress people, but instead was
resented. His first encounter with Moana, he begins
singing “You’re Welcome”, arrogantly assuming
that she is there the thank him. Throughout their
time together, Maui acts tough and brave, even
though he is immature and insecure about his
power. At first, Maui does not care that islands are
deteriorating because of him and selfishly stats he
won’t help restore the heart of Te Fiti. Throughout
the journey, Maui gives up easily while Moana
persists. A message is sent that Maui’s behavior is
undesirable because his arrogance and selfishness
gets him nowhere. His character contrasts with the
loving and determined characteristic of Moana
which is contagious and eventually influences him
to become humble.
c

Gender Roles
● Patriarchy
○ In a typical society, the male character would be the dominant one to follow, but in this
example, Moana is the main character leading the way. She is the influential character who
convinces Maui to return the stone, thus showing Moana as the empowered character, and
the male character, Maui, as disempowered.
● Masculine Hegemony
○ This is not an example of masculine hegemony because the female character, Moana,
holds the dominant position.
● Heteronormativity
○ The natural gender roles would be for Moana to be submissive and Maui to be demanding
and dominant. But, this is not an example of Heteronormativity because Moana accepts
typically male gender roles of being strong willed, influential, and commanding, while Maui
is compliant, obedient, and unassertive.
d
SUMMARIZE THE THREE SLIDES BEFORE AS
SHOWN IN 2d
1) Moana enacts the role of the independent strong woman who is
going out on her own to write her own future. Maui on the other hand
is enacting the role of being selfish and acting as an anti-model in
the story.
2) Maui and Moana interact as almost foils of each other. Moana is
determined to save her island no matter what the cost. Whereas at
the beginning Maui tries his best to keep her from returning the heart
of Te Fiti.
3) In the patriarchy it would usually be the male character that would be
the empowered character doing the saving. However the model in
the story, Moana, challenges the patriarchy because she is the
empowered independent woman doing the saving. She is breaking
out of gender boundaries and fighting for herself.
a

Potential Implications
While I do not think there are any negative impacts that come with its messages
about women and men in society, this movie subverts traditional roles of females
in lead roles. Not only is Moana a powerful and independent lead role, she carries
the weight of her village and the world on her shoulders. This movie makes young
females believe that they have the capacity to do big things and effect the world in
a positive light. In the film, Moana is the main subject capable of agency and
self-invested action. She takes it upon herself to act and does not rely on anyone
else to get the job done. By being powerful, strong, and impactful, Moana takes
the lead role in this text and goes against the typical power dynamic in society.
She reinforces the strong, female role in the power dynamic and continues to
prove to young girls that they can have an impact in society.
Bibliography
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/dance-storytelling-art-wayfinding-behind-scenes-disney-s-moana-n672141

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/07/25/sneak-peek-exclusive-moana-dwayne-johnson/87507818/

http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Moana_(character)