Race, Gender, Class In The Hunger Games And Frozen
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Race, gender and class shape the experience of all people. This fact has been widely documented in research and, to some extent, is commonly understood. New studies interpret race, gender, class as interlocking categories of experience that affect all aspects of life.
(Anderson, Collins, 1997:8) For a long time, society on and off screen, have been automatically constructed to what are considered 'norms'. Recent films of note to challenge this expectation, and will be discussed in further detail, are The Hunger Games (2012) and Frozen (2013). The film industry and Hollywood, are aften scrutinised and pin pointed with their methods of hiring actors or actresses, due to the lack of representation of colour and ethnic minority. Race, class…show more content… This however is an issue with many films, not just The Hunger Games (2012). Other films include Gone With The Wind (1939) and The Help (2011). In specific, the only part Thresh has of any substance, is when he saves Katniss from Clove (district two, also white) only because she helped Rue, 'highlighting her kindness to people of color' (Dubrofsky, Ryalls, 2014:402). Rues role is to ultimately sacrifice herself to let Katniss win. This elaborates her maternal traits as she was clearly upset by her death and showed respect by laying flowers around her and singing as Rue passed away. It is at this moment the audience are aware that Katniss embodies absolutely no racist qualities. It does however, enable the white girl become closer to…show more content… For instance, Cinderella (1950) needs to be saved by Prince Charming from her evil step mothers, and Sleeping Beauty (1959) needs to be saved by loves true kiss, whom only appears in seventeen minutes of her own titled film. Anna (Frozen (2013)), sets out on a dangerous journey to find her sister after disappearing. Although part of her journey is alone, most of it is supported by male cast member, Kristoff, indicating she is much more vulnerable and feminine in accordance to her sister. From a feminist point of view, Elsa and her battle to come to terms with her powers signifies she was bought up to be aware of what her strengths and weaknesses are, becoming relatable to members of the audience which may be battling similar issues. Whether or not children of non whiteness feel they can relate to her, is a different matter. Being a woman of strength, she (Elsa) challenges the 'good girl complex', singing 'that perfect girl is gone' in 'Let it Go', referring to having freedom of the pressures of her old life. Elsa is so desperate to hold onto this independence, she even attempts to kill her own sister with a large snow monster. This is initially upsetting, but it signifies a change in Disney writing by allowing her to be able to stand alone without any support, namely from