Date of Award
8-31-2026
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
History
First Advisor
Timothy Hacsi
Second Advisor
Frederick Dalzell
Abstract
The cultural and social history of America in the 90s is examined in this thesis by looking at the Disney Renaissance, a period of ten films made by the Walt Disney Animation Studios (WDAS). This thesis illustrates how the animators were able to seamlessly incorporate important societal trends of the 90s into their films, portraying a changing world within their films. As they were creating a new style of the animated movie musical, they were creating works that connected to the audiences watching in new ways, by putting up a reflection of society within their films. The way that the WDAS did this was through its use of feminism and the Third Wave Feminist movement to create new, strong, and independent female leads for their films. These female characters, such as, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Mulan, and more, exemplify a new generation of characterization that does not revolve around waiting on their prince to come to save the day. It create a group of characters that are never portrayed as a stereotypical damsel in distress. The WDAS also demonstrates this through its use of women and queer artists behind the scenes to help add more authenticity to their work. Another way this thesis’ argument is supported by analyzing how these stories began focusing on diversity and inclusion It opened new stories through focusing on disabilities or previously taboo ideas like the Middle East or the African American experience. Readers will be able to understand how the 90s were reflected within the Renaissance films and how this specific era of film gave Disney a cash cow to use repeatedly in different ways as another source of income for the company.
Recommended Citation
Bates, Deborah A., "Going The Distance: How The Disney Renaissance Illustrated The Social And Cultural Changes In America During The 1990s" (2026). Graduate Masters Theses. 982.
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/masters_theses/982
Included in
American Film Studies Commons, American Popular Culture Commons, Cultural History Commons, History of Gender Commons, Other Film and Media Studies Commons, Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies Commons, Social History Commons, Theatre History Commons, Visual Studies Commons, Women's History Commons
Comments
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