Helm, H ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1589-6642
2022,
'Maimed wings and broken hearts : physical disability, social exclusion, and maternal love in Disney’s Maleficent and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil'
, in:
Gender and female villains in 21st century fairy tale narratives : from evil queens to wicked witches
, Emerald Studies in Popular Culture and Gender
, Emerald, Bingley, pp. 177-190.
|
PDF
- Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial 4.0. Download (301kB) | Preview |
|
![]() |
Microsoft Word
- Accepted Version
Restricted to Repository staff only Download (53kB) |
Abstract
This chapter argues that Maleficent’s physical difference and social exclusion can be analysed as disabling rather than villainous trajectories in Maleficent (2014) and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019). I explore how Maleficent is (re)represented in the twenty-first century as a more sympathetic figure who contends with disability and social prejudice in her attempt to form meaningful connections with others. I analyse Maleficent’s ‘villainous’ traits using Feminist Disability Studies (Garland-Thomson, 1997, 2017; Wendell, 1989) to argue that her physical and cultural differences invite hostility from the human kingdom, especially in relation to her maternal connection with Aurora. While critics have examined themes of disability and motherhood in Maleficent (Connelly, 2016; Wehler, 2019), I argue that these narratives are continued and subverted further in the sequel Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019). In re-visioning Maleficent in this way, it becomes possible to challenge narratives of female villainy by paying attention to physical disability, social exclusion, and maternal love.
Item Type: | Book Section |
---|---|
Editors: | Le Clue, N and Vermaak-Griessel, J |
Schools: | Schools > School of Arts & Media |
Publisher: | Emerald |
Series Name: | Emerald Studies in Popular Culture and Gender |
ISBN: | 9781801175654 (hardback); 9781801175647 (ebook) |
Related URLs: | |
Depositing User: | H Helm |
Date Deposited: | 17 Feb 2022 11:44 |
Last Modified: | 17 Feb 2022 11:45 |
URI: | http://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/63205 |
Actions (login required)
![]() |
Edit record (repository staff only) |