00051000946 the representation of love and marriage in some disney animated movies from the perspective of critical metaphor analysis 00051000946 the representation of love and marriage in some disney animated movies from the perspective of critical metaphor analysis
INTRODUCTION
Rationale of the study
Throughout history, language has played a vital role in human development, evolving in various forms to facilitate communication across different cultures, origins, and genders It is closely intertwined with key societal fields such as culture, politics, history, and the economy, which continuously inspire the expansion and diversification of language to meet human needs This evolution has led to a rich variety of expressions, including metaphors, which originally aimed to simplify communication but have grown into a powerful rhetorical device with significant influence According to Lakoff & Johnson (1980), metaphors range from simple words and images to complex concepts, permeating everyday life, literature, and performance, often used so naturally that people are unaware of their presence Embedded in both verbal and non-verbal communication, metaphors reflect cultural and community knowledge, with their concepts rooted in familiar ideas that are related to new notions, enabling easier comprehension.
In Metaphor We Live By (1980), Lakoff cited that people could understand conceptual metaphors without considering the context Their examples did not put in particular contexts
Charteris-Black (2004) disagreed with Lakoff, arguing that their examples lacked sufficient context and that without it, metaphorical expressions might not convey the intended meaning He emphasized that metaphors are powerful tools used to persuade and influence audiences, provided they are used appropriately within the correct context When properly applied, metaphors can effectively communicate underlying goals and ideas Charteris-Black believed that understanding metaphors requires a multifaceted approach and developed Critical Metaphor Analysis (CMA), a theory combining Lakoff and Johnson’s Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) with Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), to facilitate comprehensive interpretation of metaphors in discourse.
In 2004, a comprehensive corpus was developed, encompassing articles, reports, and research across various major fields This approach enabled precise data collection and categorization within each discipline By systematically analyzing the information, the researcher conducted an intensive qualification process, comparing data based on their alignment or differences within the same field.
Disney is widely recognized as a cultural icon in cinema, with its iconic animations leaving a lasting impact on generations worldwide through memorable stories, lyrics, and characters These films often reflect the audience's influence on their distribution and popularity From the 1950s to the 1990s, Disney animated movies primarily adapted well-known stories, making them easily relatable and quickly embraced by viewers, although this familiarity might sometimes obscure deeper messages intended by Disney This study aims to explore whether these love stories convey profound meanings or simply ignite the imagination of the audience, offering a fresh perspective on Disney's storytelling approach.
Aims of the study
This study investigates the hidden communicative purpose behind the portrayal of Love and Marriage in popular Disney animated movies through Critical Metaphor Analysis (CMA) It explores how Disney's depiction of Love and Marriage may influence audience perceptions by revealing underlying conceptual metaphors and key ideological messages By examining these metaphors, the research aims to uncover Disney's underlying ideology and the potential impact on viewers' thinking Ultimately, the study aims to shed light on how Disney's representations of Love and Marriage shape cultural and social perceptions.
Scope of the study
This study analyzes the key features of Disney animations, utilizing the CMA framework by Charteris-Black (2004) Five Disney animated movies were carefully selected as the corpus, providing insight into common themes and stylistic elements The research offers a comprehensive understanding of how Disney characters and narratives are constructed to engage audiences effectively These findings contribute to a deeper appreciation of Disney's storytelling techniques and their impact on viewers.
This original research was independently conducted by the author, with no other collaborators involved in data collection or analysis Over a two-year period, the thesis was supervised but has not been published or submitted elsewhere The study focuses on developing a unique framework based on Charteris-Black's (2004) Critical Metaphor Analysis theory to examine how Disney conveys its messages through conceptual metaphors in selected animated movies.
Significance of the study
This study provides valuable insights for future research on the CMA, particularly regarding Disney While Disney has been extensively analyzed by researchers to explore societal themes, applying the CMA perspective of Charteris-Black (2004) offers a novel approach Specifically, this approach deeply examines the themes of love and marriage—an area that has received limited attention in previous studies—thus enriching the understanding of Disney’s portrayal of social values.
Research question
The study is expected to light on these following questions:
Question 1: Which domains did Disney use to correspond to Love and Marriage? Question 2: According to the conceptual metaphors of Love and Marriage, which conceptual keys were determined?
Question 3: What was the hidden communicating purpose of Disney cited in their animated movies?
This study analyzes how Love and Marriage are represented through metaphorical expressions in five movies by collecting and classifying relevant language related to these themes These expressions are further examined to identify the underlying conceptual metaphors, which serve as key frameworks shaping the depiction of Love and Marriage These conceptual metaphors are crucial in understanding the development of Love and Marriage themes throughout the films Additionally, the research explores Disney’s underlying intentions in using these metaphorical keys, revealing how they communicate messages about Love and Marriage to the audience.
Methods of the study
According to Wei Li (2016), Charteris-Black employed a three-step metaphor analysis to explore how individuals leverage language power to influence awareness and ideology This analytical approach, described by Cameron & Low (1999, p.80), aligns with Fairclough’s three-stage framework, highlighting the importance of metaphor in shaping public perception and ideological discourse Using these methods enhances understanding of how language manipulation impacts social and political agendas.
This study employs a structured methodology based on three main steps: identification, interpretation, and explanation, commonly used in researching socio-cultural and political issues It applies Critical Metaphor Analysis (CMA) and Fairclough’s method to examine how Love and Marriage are represented in popular Disney animated movies The aim is to develop a critical metaphor framework by analyzing movie Corpora to uncover how filmmakers use language, particularly metaphors, as a means of influencing viewers The research identifies and categorizes metaphorical expressions related to Love and Marriage into various conceptual metaphors, providing insights into their broader representations Ultimately, the paper explains the reasons behind filmmakers’ choices of specific conceptual metaphors and keys, revealing how these elements shape viewers’ understanding of Love and Marriage in animated films.
This article explores five iconic Disney animated films—Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and another classic—that are beloved across all age groups These films are adapted from renowned folk tales and fairy tales from around the world, showcasing Disney's rich tradition of bringing timeless stories to life through animation Their widespread popularity and cultural significance highlight Disney’s enduring influence in global entertainment.
"Beauty and the Beast are iconic Disney animated classics originally released between the 1950s and 1990s, a period of significant growth in cinema history Renowned for their high reputation and enduring popularity, these films feature detailed storylines centered around love and marriage, closely following their original versions As a result, they serve as ideal sources for research, meeting the criteria required for in-depth studies of romantic themes in animation."
Structure of the thesis
The thesis included five chapters:
- Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter provided a general introduction to the thesis
- Chapter 2: Literature Review: This chapter presented the theoretical framework that was used to develop the framework of the thesis and analyze its data
- Chapter 3: Methodology: This section outlined the method used for collecting and analyzing the data from the corpus of five Disney animated movies to serve the thesis’s purpose
- Chapter 4: Data Analysis: This section gave the analyzing results of the data and its findings
- Chapter 5: Conclusion: This last chapter discussed the limitation of the study, offered the final conclusion and suggested further studies.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Metaphor
Historically, metaphors were viewed as a literary and rhetorical device primarily found in prose and poetry, believed to be used only by those with literary expertise and extensive knowledge Many considered metaphor a property of artistic language rather than everyday communication However, Taylor (2002) highlighted that numerous linguists previously thought metaphor did not exist in daily language, viewing it as an inappropriate or unconventional form of expression It wasn't until the 1980s that scholars like George Lakoff challenged this view, emphasizing the pervasive role of metaphor in everyday thought and language.
Mark Johnson's influential book "Metaphor We Live By" transformed our understanding of metaphors, emphasizing that they are fundamentally about concepts rather than just words He argued that metaphors serve a higher purpose beyond artistic expression, helping to interpret complex ideas and notions Lakoff and Johnson (1980) explained that metaphors diversify the literal meanings of words by adding additional implications, allowing metaphors to appear throughout language According to Lakoff, as highlighted by Taylor (2002), metaphors are naturally integrated into everyday life and are an unavoidable aspect of human thought and reasoning, underscoring their significance in cognitive processes.
Metaphor, deriving from the Greek word meaning "meaning by transfer," plays a vital role in language and cognition According to Taylor (2002), Lakoff and his followers identified three key aspects of metaphor, with the first emphasizing its function as a cognitive tool that facilitates understanding by transferring meaning from one domain to another.
Metaphors are ubiquitous in everyday communication, existing across various social and cultural contexts They serve not only as artistic literary devices that enhance expression but also as a common means of conveying thoughts and feelings in daily life Found in both formal and informal situations, as well as simple and complex interactions, metaphorical language has become increasingly popular, with many people instinctively using metaphors to articulate their emotions and ideas effectively.
Metaphor reveals a significant coherence and systematicity in language, highlighting its conventional nature (Taylor, 2002) According to Lakoff & Johnson (1980), everyday language reflects people's thinking, ideology, emotions, and attitudes, which are influenced by environmental factors like culture and surroundings Additionally, within communities or organizations, language develops in ways that align with their specific linguistic systems This systematicity helps ensure the coherence of metaphorical language within these groups, facilitating the interaction and expression of shared thoughts, attitudes, and opinions among members of the same society.
Taylor (2002) described metaphor as “a mode of thought concept,” serving as a cognitive tool that reveals underlying ideologies Metaphors reflect how humans use their perspectives to understand and interpret the world, and they are systematically embedded within individual cultures They establish coherence by ensuring a meaningful correspondence between two objects or concepts An effective way to recognize metaphors is through relating one meaning to another beyond the literal, often via a mapping process described by Lakoff (1980) He explained this as a relation between two domains: the source domain, which is familiar and well-known, and the target domain, which conveys the intended message The source domain's characteristics—similarities in appearance, thoughts, and attributes—are exploited to subtly communicate ideas and evoke new understanding in the receiver.
Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT)
According to Taylor (2002), metaphor in linguistics serves not only as a rhetorical device to enrich literary expression but also plays a crucial role in linguistic research across various branches In cognitive linguistics, metaphor is understood as a reflection of how individuals perceive and interpret the relationship between the mental and real worlds, highlighting its significance in understanding human cognition and language.
George Lakoff and David Johnson developed the Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) in their influential 1980 book, “Metaphor We Live By,” which explains how metaphor shapes our thought processes According to Taylor (2002), they argued that a conceptual metaphor comprises metaphorical expressions rooted in a single conceptual framework, making complex ideas more understandable These metaphorical linguistic expressions serve as the visible manifestation of underlying conceptual metaphors, bridging abstract ideas and language For instance, expressions like “argument is war” illustrate how metaphorical language reflects deeper cognitive structures, highlighting the integral role of metaphors in human thought and communication Optimized for SEO, understanding CMT helps in analyzing how metaphors influence language, cognition, and perception in various domains.
The progression of love relationships has often been compared to the course of a war, reflecting the deep connection between love and conflict The metaphor of "Love and War" highlights how emotional battles and strategic moves characterize romantic development Visual imagery associated with war—such as armor, battles, and victories—are frequently used to depict various stages of love, conveying the intensity and complexity of romantic emotions This conceptual metaphor underscores how love can involve struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs similar to a battleground, emphasizing the intertwined nature of passion and conflict in romantic relationships.
(1) That couple is having a big fight on the Internet
(2) She is provoking my patience
(3) We attacked each other’s feelings
In conceptual metaphor theory, concrete domains are used to understand and visualize more abstract ideas, enabling clearer comprehension For example, words like "big fight," "provoking," and "attacked" are employed to symbolize different stages of conflict, which can be applied metaphorically to the development of romantic relationships A "fight" in this context refers not to physical violence, but to verbal exchanges where partners use words and vulnerabilities as weapons "Provoking" describes actions that lead to irritation or disappointment, pushing relationships toward conflict or breakup by intentionally instigating anger "Attacking" involves causing harm—either physically or emotionally—to weaken the opponent’s resilience and increase negative emotions such as sadness or anger, ultimately aiming to diminish each other's mental strength.
Taylor (2002) describes the source domain as the conceptual space involving concrete objects and the target domain as the one involving abstract objects, with the mapping process linking the two in a one-way direction, typically from concrete to abstract He emphasizes that each conceptual metaphor consists of a systematic set of mappings, where elements from the source domain correspond to elements in the target domain, reflecting underlying mentalities and ideologies These metaphors and their expressions develop naturally from understanding and knowledge, making them seem intuitive to language users and listeners alike Santa Ana (2002) notes that cognitive scholars focus on the overall mapping between domains rather than specific examples, comparing these mappings to schemata, and primarily aim to investigate how concepts relate across domains rather than analyzing individual expressions in detail.
Many examples of Lakoff and the Lakovians overlook the importance of context, focusing instead on summarizing metaphor expressions to identify conceptual metaphors, often neglecting the situational background According to Charteris-Black (2004), analyzing the reasoning behind the use of metaphors by speakers and writers is crucial for understanding their true meaning Lakoff and Johnson (1980) emphasized that for a metaphor to be effective, its user must be confident that others share their ideology and can grasp the intended message without additional context The systematic nature of conceptual metaphors enables members of the same community to naturally use and understand these expressions, regardless of whether the metaphor is used intentionally or unintentionally, reinforcing group reasoning and shared understanding.
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA)
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) offers a distinct perspective on the use and role of metaphor, viewing discourse as a contextual sketch of language intertwined with socio-cultural elements that transmit meaning (Cook, 1989) CDA emphasizes the importance of context in metaphorical interpretation, recognizing that discourse often remains neutral and that conceptual metaphors can manifest across various groups and societies when they are coherent and appropriate (Wei Li, 2016) Unlike Lakoff's view, CDA focuses on using metaphors to reveal social, cultural, and historical backgrounds, aiming to uncover hidden ideologies linked to power and language It seeks to enhance awareness among language users about socio-political relations and how language can influence them, with speakers choosing metaphors that serve their communicative goals Moreover, metaphor is seen not merely as a communication tool but as a means of constructing and transforming social relations According to Charteris-Black (2004), CDA integrates various linguistics fields to provide a comprehensive understanding of metaphor, highlighting how language constructs knowledge, influences social structures, and enforces power through strategic framing and terminology.
Interpreting the metaphor "My husband is a sheep" depends on the context and the speaker's intention When used as a compliment, it might imply that her husband is gentle and obedient, such as in the statement, "He is adorable, always listening to me and never yelling." Conversely, in a negative context, it could suggest that he is weak or submissive, following others' instructions without making independent decisions The meaning of this metaphor shifts significantly based on tone and attitude, demonstrating how context influences language interpretation.
Critical Metaphor Analysis (CMA)
According to Charteris-Black (2004), both Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) have successfully identified different aspects of metaphor; CMT focuses on the existence of metaphor beyond specific situations or contexts, while CDA examines the meaning of metaphor within its contextual framework.
CMT focuses on mapping relationships between two domains to reflect people's ideas, but it faces challenges when interpreting these mappings without considering context, as each source domain corresponds to only limited target domains (Taylor, 2002) Despite this limitation, people can still grasp the meaning of conceptual metaphors even in specific contexts Conversely, CDA emphasizes that metaphors reveal the underlying thoughts of speakers or writers, with context playing a crucial role in conveying different communicative intentions (Hart, 2008) CMT emphasizes awareness and knowledge derived from cognition, explaining how individuals perceive and interpret the world, while CDA examines social and political discourses, viewing metaphor as a tool for influencing and controlling public opinion Although their perspectives differ, the contrasting insights of CMT and CDA are complementary and offer a more comprehensive understanding of metaphor's role in language and society.
Charteris-Black (2004) introduced Critical Metaphor Analysis (CMA), a novel approach that expands the traditional exploration of metaphors by examining their deeper functions across culture, society, economy, and politics CMA integrates the conceptual metaphor theory (CMT) of George Lakoff and Mark Johnson with Van Dijk’s (1993) Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), uniting these frameworks to provide a comprehensive understanding of metaphorical language By applying linguistic dimensions such as semantics, pragmatics, and corpus linguistics, CMA offers a multidimensional analysis that uncovers the true intentions of language users in various communicative contexts.
According to Silaski and Durovic (2019), CMA views metaphor as a tool to reveal the underlying intentions of language users, emphasizing that metaphors serve to express conveyed intentions in communication (Charteris-Black, 2004) They argue that language expressions, including metaphors, often aim to influence or connect with others, showcasing both pragmatic and ideological features This perspective aligns with Van Dijk’s view on the dual nature of metaphors in conveying intentions and underlying ideologies, highlighting their importance in effective communication and social discourse.
Metaphor, as discussed by Van Dijk, Silaski, N., & T Durovic (2019), plays a crucial role in understanding social and political issues through discourse analysis, revealing the underlying ideology in various communication forms They emphasize that the combination of frameworks highlights how metaphors influence and explain social and national identities, supporting discourse analysis in examining socio-cultural and political themes across different media such as articles, movies, banners, advertisements, and music According to cognitive linguistics, metaphors are characterized by their ability to shape and reflect social realities, making them essential tools for analyzing media content and communication strategies.
Combining Discourse Analysis (DA) and Critical Metaphor Theory (CMT) offers a more effective approach to researching metaphors, highlighting their integral relationship According to Charteris-Black (2004), individuals often use conceptual metaphors naturally in everyday speech without explicit intention, deeply rooted in their cultural and community contexts These metaphors are understood and employed intuitively, reflecting the speaker's ideological background and subconscious influence from their lived environment When such familiar metaphors are used in specific contexts, they can convey additional meanings, providing listeners or readers with hints to interpret the speaker's true intentions Whether intentional or unintentional, the placement of metaphors within a discourse often aims to influence the audience and achieve certain communicative objectives.
According to Thompson (2016), viewers are more likely to accept metaphors that reflect their own ideological beliefs Consequently, political articles, news, advertisements, and movies often carefully select conceptual metaphors and expressions to ensure the audience recognizes the intended concept, with audience ideology playing a crucial role in persuading them to adopt a particular viewpoint (O’Rourke, 2018) When using metaphors to depict Love and Marriage, it is essential to identify and develop appropriate concepts that effectively communicate the intended message, as these can influence the audience’s perceptions and values Cultural background, character development, storytelling, dialogue, and character interactions serve as vital data sources for analyzing how Disney, for example, conveys its portrayal of Love and Marriage through these elements, revealing the deeper intentions behind its representations.
According to Charteris-Black, Levinson (1983, p.36) noted that in metaphor interpretation, researchers typically begin with the literal meaning, as it often provides a foundation for understanding in specific contexts This approach emphasizes the importance of starting from the straightforward interpretation before exploring more figurative or abstract implications, making it a common strategy in linguistic analysis Understanding the initial literal sense is crucial for accurate metaphor analysis, aligning with key principles of effective language interpretation and enhancing comprehension in linguistic research.
In analyzing metaphorical expressions, it is essential to recognize that they inherently convey full meanings without requiring additional explanation, as seen when content A's conclusion naturally infers the true meaning of expression B Both literal and metaphorical meanings are preserved across contexts, but pragmatic interpretation, which considers contextual details, provides deeper understanding of the metaphor's intended message Semantics focuses on the inherent meaning of words, while pragmatics examines how context influences interpretation; for example, Wei Li’s metaphor “My husband is a sheep” can semantically describe personality traits, but pragmatically, its meaning varies based on the speaker’s attitude—either positive, highlighting gentleness, or negative, implying indecisiveness When analyzing metaphors related to love and marriage, understanding the speaker's intent, attitude, and context is crucial to uncover the metaphor’s purpose According to Charteris-Black (2004), this involves considering pragmatic, linguistic, semantic, and cognitive aspects: linguistic choices reflect word selection, cognitive motives reveal why certain words are used, semantics deals with word meaning, and pragmatics pertains to how words are used in different situations.
Semantic tension in CMA arises when there is a clash between the literal and metaphorical meanings of an expression, which can lead to misunderstandings between speakers and listeners This tension occurs when language users apply expressions or metaphors without considering their ambiguous interpretations, causing the audience to potentially misinterpret the intended message For example, if the literal meaning is A and the metaphorical meaning is B, a speaker might intend to use the expression to convey B, but the listener may interpret it simply as meaning A, resulting in a disconnect that hampers effective communication According to Charteris-Black (2004), this semantic ambiguity can also intensify conflicts by allowing words to be interpreted outside their conventional context, influenced by the speaker’s intention and the specific context Therefore, understanding whether expressions are used metaphorically or literally is crucial during data collection, as the figurative meaning relies heavily on the user's intention, which shapes how language functions within particular contexts.
Charteris-Black (2004) emphasizes that the persuasive power of metaphor is rooted in its capacity to influence audiences through meaningful language choices As language users develop critical awareness, they learn to select words that are appropriate to specific contexts, thereby effectively persuading receivers and shaping their perceptions In film scenes, characters’ use of metaphors or metaphorical expressions often serve to subtly convey underlying messages about love and marriage, aiming to persuade viewers to accept these representations The interplay between context and conceptual metaphor enhances the emotional and cognitive impact on viewers, increasing their awareness and engagement Ultimately, understanding how metaphors function within specific contexts can reveal their role in shaping audience perceptions and promoting persuasive communication, aligning with the theories of Lakoff & Johnson.
According to Lakoff & Johnson (1980), metaphorical expressions primarily embody the concept of conceptual metaphors but do not represent the entire concept itself When analyzing these expressions, they are categorized into different themes such as Love and Marriage, reflecting their social and cultural dimensions in Disney’s animated movies, where these concepts are depicted positively and negatively They emphasized that conceptual metaphors are flexible and can take various forms; however, not all related expressions are appropriate, and language users must carefully select those that fit within the metaphorical range This approach aids in identifying the ideological frameworks that shape belief systems Furthermore, metaphorical expressions in movies serve as a foundation for developing the conceptual metaphor system of Love and Marriage, facilitating coherent storytelling and authentic character development.
To thoroughly understand and analyze metaphor, Black employed a method based on Fairclough (1995a) and Cameron & Low (1999a), which involves three key stages: identification, explanation, and interpretation This approach aims to uncover the main concepts within a specific context by examining language, semantics, pragmatics, cognition, and discourse, revealing the hidden communicative intentions of language users Applying this method to analyze representations of love and marriage in popular Disney animated movies from a CDA perspective, the combination of Fairclough’s framework and Charteris-Black’s methodology proved effective for data collection and analysis, ultimately achieving the study’s primary objectives.
Cameron & Low (1999a) outlined a three-step method for analyzing metaphors: first, collecting examples of metaphorical language related to the topic; second, generalizing these examples to the underlying conceptual metaphors; and third, using the analysis to uncover patterns of ideology or thought that influence beliefs and behaviors Additionally, Fairclough (1995a) emphasized that metaphor analysis involves identifying, interpreting, and explaining metaphors within the framework of functional linguistics and Halliday’s (1985) critical discourse analysis Specifically, metaphorical identification involves locating metaphors in the text, interpretation determines the relationships they establish, and explanation explores how these metaphors connect with other expressions to create coherence within specific contexts.
Love and Marriage in Disney animated movies
Love and marriage are enduring topics that evoke ongoing debates and deeply influence people's mental and emotional lives These themes are reflected across literature and culture through diverse symbols, images, and representations, including novels, poems, songs, and idioms Vivid metaphorical expressions, such as red roses symbolizing love, enrich our understanding and portrayal of these profound human experiences.
Red roses are commonly used in both prose and poetry to symbolize love and passion However, in a different context, they represent women's qualities—beautiful yet untouchable The meanings associated with love and marriage symbols can vary depending on the circumstances, reflecting different cultural and emotional nuances.
Love is an emotion that creates romantic connections between two people, and marriage is often seen as the ultimate goal of love, making these concepts closely linked According to Aqrabawi (2023), many classical Disney animated films portray a beautiful wedding as the pinnacle of love, with love stories beginning quickly and challenges resolved through true love Tonn (2008) highlights the unrealistic portrayal of love in Disney movies, where love can develop within seconds Historically, early 1900s movies featured simple storylines where men were heroes rescuing women from difficult circumstances, leading to immediate love, marriage, and a 'happily ever after' ending—suggesting that love and marriage serve as guiding ideals for women’s happiness.
The movies portrayed inspiring positive values of love and marriage, highlighting strong female characters who defy passive stereotypes and play active roles in their relationships.
Disney movies have significantly influenced viewers, especially children, by promoting unrealistic values through their storytelling According to Aqrabawi (2023), the portrayal of love and marriage in Disney films impacts both characters and audiences, shaping perceptions of relationships Müller (2010) highlighted how love and marriage are expressed through metaphorical language in movies, aligning with character development to meet filmmakers' expectations The diversity in representing love and marriage makes metaphor a compelling rhetorical device in Disney films Famous adaptations of well-known tales have contributed to Disney's immense commercial success, grossing millions to billions of dollars Despite being produced years ago, Disney movies continue to influence social networks, as their storylines remain relevant, reflecting real-life situations This enduring relevance makes these films an ideal corpus for analyzing Disney's subtle communication strategies to their audience.
METHODOLOGY
Data Corpus
This study analyzes the representation of Love and Marriage in select Disney animated films from a cognitive metaphor analysis perspective Five diverse movies were chosen to create a comprehensive corpus, each featuring distinct storylines, characters, backgrounds, and contexts, allowing for varied insights into how Love and Marriage are depicted These films are culturally significant and widely recognized across generations, enhancing their impact on audiences ranging from children to adults, making them ideal for studying viewer engagement and interpretation Disney’s skillful use of conceptual metaphors and expressive language plays a crucial role in shaping viewers’ perceptions of Love and Marriage, aligning with the research framework focused on understanding how these films influence societal views on these themes The selected movies serve as key data sources for analyzing the portrayal of romantic themes in Disney animations through cognitive metaphor analysis.
This movie explores the journey of two young individuals discovering their true selves and overcoming challenges to be together, emphasizing the importance of honesty and personal freedom Aladdin and Jasmine come from vastly different social classes—a poor boy and a princess—highlighting themes of social barriers and self-identity With the help of Genie in the magic lamp, Aladdin transforms into a prince to pursue Jasmine, showcasing the power of courage and hope The story also features Jafar, a shaman and the prime minister, who seizes control using the magic lamp, representing greed and corruption Through Aladdin’s cleverness and bravery, he defeats Jafar, rescues everyone, and ultimately sets Genie free, symbolizing the value of loyalty and friendship The film concludes with Aladdin and Jasmine exploring the world together, embodying love, freedom, and self-discovery.
This inspiring film tells the story of a brave and resilient young girl who maintains her kindness and gratitude despite facing mistreatment from her cruel stepmother and stepsisters Demonstrating strength and optimism, she refuses to give up on her pursuit of happiness, showcasing her ability to enjoy life regardless of hardships The movie highlights themes of perseverance, kindness, and inner strength, making it a captivating tale for audiences seeking motivation and empowerment.
The Little Mermaid is a curious princess fascinated by the human world, eager for new adventures and learning experiences She demonstrated bravery by saving Prince Eric from drowning and made a daring deal to exchange her voice for a chance to stay on land for three days Her determination was tested when the sea witch Ursula almost ruined her plan, but Eric’s bravery ultimately defeated Ursula and broke her magic In the end, Ariel transformed into a human and married Prince Eric, fulfilling her dream of exploring the human world.
Disney’s "Sleeping Beauty" is one of its oldest animated films, adapted from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s musical ballet and the fairy tales by Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm The story follows Princess Aurora, cursed by the evil fairy Maleficent to fall into a deep sleep, which can only be broken by a true love’s kiss; she is hidden in the forest by kind fairies to protect her On her sixteenth birthday, Aurora meets Prince Philip, sparking a romantic connection, but her guardians warn her to avoid the forest to keep her safe Prince Philip returns to find Aurora, but Maleficent captures him, prompting the fairies to rescue him with enchanted weapons Ultimately, Philip defeats Maleficent and awakens Aurora with a true love’s kiss, leading to a joyous celebration of their union.
The story centers on Belle, an intelligent girl who dreams of forging her own path beyond her small town, refusing to conform to traditional expectations of marriage and domestic life When her father Maurice is lost at a fair and finds refuge in a mysterious castle, he is imprisoned by the castle’s owner, the Beast, prompting Belle to volunteer as the Beast’s prisoner to save her father Their initial relationship is strained but gradually develops into understanding and friendship Despite her happiness at living with the Beast, Belle remains worried about her father’s safety, which leads to her eventual return home Villainous Gaston plots to force Belle into marriage and falsely labels Maurice as insane, prompting Belle to reveal the truth about the Beast to the villagers Gaston later assaults the castle, seeking to kill the Beast, but the Beast sacrifices himself to protect Belle, leading to a fierce confrontation In the climax, Gaston stabs the Beast but dies after falling from a balcony, while the Beast is gravely injured With her love for the Beast revealed just before the last petal falls, Belle’s love ultimately saves him, breaking the curse and transforming the Beast back into a prince.
A miracle happened The Beast’s injury disappeared and he turned back to human In the end, Belle and the Prince married and lived happily.
Data Collection Method
This study employed Charteris-Black’s analytical method, beginning with metaphorical identification from a corpus consisting of five influential Disney animated movies These films were selected for their cultural impact and popularity, with data collected in both verbal and non-verbal forms due to their predominantly visual nature Verbal data included scripts, song lyrics, and character dialogues, while non-verbal data comprised character actions, facial expressions, gestures, color schemes, and scene tones Metaphorical expressions were extracted through two approaches: analyzing the scripts and lyrics, and paraphrasing non-verbal cues For example, the scene where Prince Philip kisses Princess Aurora exemplifies the metaphor “True love could break the curse,” illustrating how physical actions and visual elements symbolize powerful forces capable of altering conditions, such as breaking a curse through love.
This study extended Charteris-Black's (2004) approach by incorporating a preliminary step to include all elements of the movies, not just metaphorical expressions related to Love and Marriage, ensuring comprehensive data collection Carefully analyzing five animated films through repeated viewings and consulting Disney Princess scripts ensured accuracy and captured even non-verbal cues like facial expressions and actions that contribute to meaning All details were systematically numbered to facilitate data organization and comparison Candidate metaphors—comprising script dialogue, song lyrics, and non-verbal expressions—were identified as potential metaphorical elements reflecting Love and Marriage, from which relevant words and phrases were selected for analysis Each film contributed its own subset of data, including verbal and non-verbal cues, with non-verbal expressions documented as words for analytical purposes—even though they were not formally classified as textual data These non-verbal cues, despite not appearing in tables, played a crucial role in understanding metaphorical representations, guiding the differentiation of metaphors associated with Love and Marriage in the overall analysis.
According to the method of Lakoff and Johnson (1980), Charteris-Black
To identify metaphorical expressions, researchers follow a multi-step process including comparing literal and figurative meanings, examining conceptual mappings to determine related domains, paraphrasing expressions to check for communication gaps, and ultimately identifying the underlying conceptual metaphors The words and phrases in each movie’s corpus reflect different concepts tailored to their unique stories, with the frequency of these concepts revealing both general and specific domains related to Love and Marriage Analyzing these domains across five animated movies helps uncover core representations of Love and Marriage, with key concepts indicating the underlying communicative intent, as noted by Charteris-Black (2004), who emphasized that identifying key concepts, though not always necessary, enhances understanding of hidden meanings The more key concepts discovered, the clearer the concealed communicative purpose becomes, especially when similarities across the movies’ domains are considered When the domains align, it facilitates the identification of key concepts, ultimately revealing the true significance of how Love and Marriage are represented in these animated films.
DATA ANALYSIS
Results of Data Gathering
This study adopts Charteris-Black’s (2004) approach to analyzing data from the perspective of conceptual metaphor analysis (CMA) It involves summarizing words and phrases with potential metaphorical meanings based on their context Each film is analyzed through two tables that present data from scripts, lyrics, and other expressions, including actions, reactions, and colors These tables display the frequency of expressions, their parts of speech, and their repetition counts The data helps identify relevant conceptual domains, which, although not exclusively related to Love and Marriage, may contribute to understanding their development in the five movies studied.
This analysis examines five animated movies through tables highlighting candidate metaphorical expressions, their parts of speech, and frequency, to determine if their meanings are literal or metaphorical The metaphorical interpretations depend on context and non-linguistic cues, helping to reveal the underlying conceptual metaphors within each film While many expressions relate to Love and Marriage, others pertain to different metaphors that also contribute to understanding the thematic core of these movies.
Table 1 Frequency and POS of words in Aladdin corpus
Table 2 Frequency of phrases in Aladdin corpus
In Disney's Aladdin, the frequent use of words like prince, princess, and street rat highlights the significance of social class and how individuals are judged based on their societal status While these words are literal within the story, they also serve as metaphors for social hierarchy and perceptions in ancient society Expressions such as bright new star, filthy brat, like a prince, and swaggering peacock further emphasize class distinctions; for instance, "brat" suggests a despised position, whereas "bright new star" signifies upward social mobility Jasmine's comparison of a suitor to a peacock reflects social aspiration, indicating that appearance and attitude can suggest compatibility with royalty These language choices underscore the story's exploration of social status and the importance of perception within hierarchical structures.
The saying, "Whoever has the gold makes the rules," highlights the influence of wealth and status in shaping social hierarchies Historically, possessing wealthy property was considered the key to improving one’s social standing and altering one’s life prospects These ideas reflect underlying class distinctions and suggest that financial power plays a crucial role in determining social and romantic opportunities In the context of love, class inequality remains prevalent, often influenced by economic status and social class, emphasizing how wealth reinforces social divisions.
The phrase diamond in the rough was used to describe the personality of Aladdin
Diamond, a highly valuable and precious gemstone, symbolized Aladdin, who was initially perceived as a street rat Although he never called himself that, the guard of the magic cave labeled him the suitable person to access the magic lamp This phrase served as a metaphor for a valuable yet undefined individual, reflecting Aladdin's journey of maturity Ultimately, his success led to him marrying a princess, symbolizing the reward for his personal growth and transformation.
Jasmine felt trapped in her privileged yet restrictive life, despite being a princess, which prevented her from finding true love and personal freedom The imagery of the carpet ride symbolized her excitement for escape and adventure beyond her confined world The phrases "when you last let your heart decide" and "let me open your eyes" highlight the importance of listening to one’s inner feelings and being open to new perspectives While the heart represents emotional guidance, the eyes symbolize awareness of the outside world, both crucial for Jasmine’s journey toward freedom and self-discovery.
In the context of the movies, the words "prize" and "won" symbolize achieving a significant goal—namely, gaining the love of the Princess and marrying her These terms highlight the notion of victory and reward in pursuit of romantic fulfillment.
Shooting star, chase, fly away, horizon, a whole new world appeared in the song
Aladdin and Jasmine’s magical carpet ride marked a transformative journey, allowing them to explore new sights and deepen their connection This extraordinary experience was more than just a romantic outing; it provided Jasmine with an opportunity to express herself freely, supported by Aladdin’s companionship Such moments symbolize themes of adventure, discovery, and personal salvation, emphasizing the significance of shared journeys in building trust and understanding This enchanting ride highlights the transformative power of exploration and emotional connection in inspiring growth and self-expression.
Table 3 Frequency and POS of words in Little Mermaid corpus
Table 4 Frequency of phrases in Little Mermaid corpus
6 Head out of the clouds 1
In the Little Mermaid, the words world, go up, and surface were repeated by Ariel
Ariel's world was the human world, beyond the barrier of the surface, which she longed to explore to learn about land and people Her desire to break this boundary reflects her willingness to sacrifice, exemplified when she trades her voice for a chance at love and human experience The phrase “hit me like lightning” describes a sudden, intense feeling similar to love at first sight, evoking the shock of an electric current Additionally, “flesh and blood” metaphorically emphasizes the importance of genuine human connection, as Grimm advised Prince Eric to seek true love with a real person rather than an illusion.
Table 5 Frequency and POS of words in Sleeping Beauty corpus
Table 6 Frequency of phrases in Sleeping Beauty corpus
4 Wear in grace and beauty 1
"Sleeping Beauty is a classic love story featuring a heroic prince, a beautiful princess, and a menacing dragon, symbolizing good versus evil The narrative emphasizes timeless values of love and marriage, portraying the princess's beauty with imagery like sunshine gold and vibrant roses While the story hints at a quest for true love, much of Aurora's character is highlighted through her beauty rather than her agency Ultimately, the journey to true love relies heavily on Prince Philip, underscoring themes of heroism and devotion in romantic tales."
Salvation, because Aurora did not play such important role as Philip All she could do was waiting for the true love kiss of her lover
When Aurora looked at the birds in the forest, she hoped to have a beautiful love
In the song I Wonder, the words heart, song, and phrases keep singing, go winging were mentioned in the lyrics “If my heart keep singing/ Will my heart go winging/
Aurora's lyrics, "To someone, who’ll find me / And bring back a love song to me," express a longing for love and hope for reciprocation, highlighting the themes of patience and anticipation in romance This conveys her desire for someone to respond to her affection and rekindle her hope for love The song suggests a passive approach to love, emphasizing waiting and believing that love will find her, rather than actively seeking it herself These sentiments resonate with listeners who believe in the power of patience and the possibility of love arriving unexpectedly.
The true love kiss in the movie associated with love conquers all A true love kiss was seen as a strong weapon that could defeated all the challenges on a love journey
It was the symbol of the unbreakable true love, which was the salvation of everything
Table 7 Frequency and POS of words in Cinderella corpus
Table 8 Frequency of phrases in Cinderella corpus
Cinderella's story emphasizes the importance of faith and perseverance, showcasing how her unwavering belief in love and her dream marriage with the charming prince led to her happily ever after Her kind-hearted nature and strong values attracted magical help from her fairy godmother, symbolizing the power of goodness and faith Although the prince's role is minimal in the story, the narrative highlights how Cinderella's genuine personality and the support of those around her played a crucial role in her transformation and ultimate happiness This timeless tale underscores that staying true to oneself and maintaining faith can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
Cinderella's beauty was vividly described through phrases like "sunset in a frame," "dressed in rags," and "air of queenly grace," highlighting her remarkable elegance despite her ragged clothes Her true grace went beyond her appearance, reflecting a beautiful personality that made her deserving of a dream marriage with the royal family This portrayal emphasized that her nobility and kindness were the real rewards, showcasing that her inner qualities shone brighter than her outward look.
Table 9 Frequency and POS of words in Beauty and The Beast corpus
Table 10 Frequency of phrases in Beauty and The Beast corpus
2 Never part of any crowd 1
3 Head’s up on the cloud 1
5 More than this provincial life 4
8 Start getting ideas and thinking 1
11 Tale as old as time 2
12 Song as old as rhyme 1
The movie "Beauty and the Beast" emphasizes the importance of personality over appearance, illustrating that true love is rooted in understanding and respect Belle and the Beast's journey to know each other symbolizes a timeless tale about inner beauty and redemption, as reflected in lyrics like "tale as old as time" and "song as old as rhyme." The story uses metaphors of salvation, highlighting Belle’s pivotal role in breaking the spell to restore the Beast’s humanity While both "beast" and "monster" denote creatures perceived as ugly and rude, their meanings differ within the narrative: the Beast, despite his temper, does no harm, whereas "monster" implies cruelty and evil Belle’s comparison of Gaston to a monster underscores his superficial charm hiding inner cruelty, contrasting with the Beast’s outer ugliness but inner goodness, thereby explaining why the Beast deserves Belle’s love and the spell-breaking could lead to true salvation.
Findings
Based on five movies, key conceptual metaphors have been identified, highlighting how these metaphors extend beyond language to include non-linguistic elements such as facial expressions and characters' actions These visual and behavioral cues deepen the understanding of the metaphors' meanings, illustrating their role in conveying complex ideas through both spoken words and non-verbal communication Recognizing these connections enhances comprehension of how metaphorical themes are expressed across multiple modalities in cinematic storytelling.
Love and marriage are often conceptualized as a journey, with the domain of journey representing the path of relationships In movies, characters embark on personal journeys to find love, happiness, or fulfillment, illustrating that love and marriage are transformative processes This metaphor emphasizes that love is a journey filled with challenges, growth, and discovery, reflecting the dynamic nature of relationships and their progression over time.
(1) Aladdin came from a fake prince to a real prince (Aladdin)
Aladdin was not actually a prince; he was a humble boy living in the market Despite his socioeconomic status, his strong personality demonstrated that he had the qualities of a true prince Overcoming numerous challenges, Aladdin embarked on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, transforming from a boy into a mature man His development allowed him to stand confidently alongside his beloved princess as a worthy partner, embodying the qualities of a true leader and hero.
Aladdin asks Jasmine, "Now, when did you last let your heart decide," highlighting the theme of emotional freedom Although Jasmine is a beloved princess, she struggles with feeling constrained and lacking the right to choose whom she loves and marries Her journey with Aladdin on the magic carpet symbolizes her opening up to new experiences and embracing self-expression and personal choice.
(3) Ariel was “ready so stand” (The Little Mermaid)
Ariel, a curious mermaid, longed to experience the human world despite her father's strict ban on approaching people Driven by her desire to stand on land and feel what it’s like to walk on feet, she was determined to fight for her right to pursue her dreams and explore new horizons.
(4) Belle sang “There must be something more than this provincial life” (Beauty and the Beast)
Belle, living in a small, monotonous town where daily life revolved around routine activities, found solace in exploring the world through her books Her desire to break free from the mundane and discover the outside world grew stronger each day, fueling her dreams of adventure and new experiences beyond her quiet hometown.
(5) The song lyric Beauty and the Beast (Beauty and the Beast)
The song highlights the evolving relationship between Belle and the Beast, using timeless phrases like "as the sun will rise" and "a tale as old as time" to symbolize their enduring bond These lyrics emphasize the themes of change and hope, illustrating that their connection is as certain and inevitable as the sunrise in the east The song captures the deep feelings they share, portraying their relationship as a reliable and natural event that unfolds consistently, much like a daily occurrence This powerful imagery reinforces the timeless nature of their love story, making it resonate with audiences seeking themes of transformation and enduring commitment.
(6) The answer of Aurora when Philip asked her about the next date (Sleeping Beauty)
She initially decided not to meet Philip again, reflecting her changed feelings and hesitations about their relationship However, she ultimately chose to inform him of the date and her location, signaling a shift towards reconnecting This decision marked her active effort to rekindle her love and open a new chapter in their relationship.
A journey is filled with both opportunities and challenges, making it a complex and meaningful experience It goes beyond simply moving from one point to another; it involves self-discovery and defining one’s identity The journey of love and marriage adds vibrant colors to life, including the passion of red, romance of pink, hope of blue, and eternal yellow, while also bringing moments of confusion represented by grey and hopelessness symbolized by black These varied hues reflect the different nuances of life and the diverse experiences gained along the way.
(7) The decision of Prince Eric when he threw away his flute (The Little Mermaid)
Eric spent three months searching for a mysterious girl with an incredible voice, but ultimately fell in love with Ariel upon meeting her Just before they nearly kissed, Eric realized his true feelings, symbolized by the flute, which represented his inner conflict He decided to discard the flute, signifying his choice to pursue a genuine relationship with Ariel rather than chasing a shadowy figure.
LOVE AND MARRIAGE IS EQUITY
(1) Aladdin was Jasmine’s prince and Jasmine was Aladdin’s princess (Aladdin)
Jasmine loved Aladdin for who he was, regardless of their social differences She valued a partner who respected her as an individual, not just because she was a princess Aladdin's gentle treatment of Jasmine reflected his appreciation for her inner beauty, not her status Their relationship was built on mutual understanding and acceptance of each other's true personalities.
(2) Ursula sang “On a lady who’s withdrawn – It’s she who holds her tongue who gets her man” (The Little Mermaid)
Ursula attempts to silence Ariel so she cannot reveal her true identity to Prince Eric The sea-witch claims that a man will love a woman who always remains silent, emphasizing her manipulative advice This deceitful advice highlights Ursula’s cunning strategy to deceive Ariel and manipulate her chances at love and marriage.
(3) The Beast loved Belle so he let her go, Belle was no longer his prisoner (Beauty and the Beast)
The Beast loved Belle but kept her as a prisoner in the castle, despite not mistreating her He realized that although Belle liked him, she did not feel free or truly comfortable in their relationship In a heartbreaking decision, the Beast freed Belle and himself, choosing to release her and his own doubts, even though it broke his heart.
Equity in love and marriage involves mutual understanding and support to help each partner grow and balance each other, fostering a perfect match It emphasizes respecting each other's abilities, personalities, and rights to voice opinions and contribute, rather than dividing roles based on gender This approach promotes equality and appreciation within the relationship, strengthening the bond between partners.
LOVE AND MARRIAGE IS A MIRROR
(1) The color of people indicates their personality (Sleeping Beauty)
Maleficent's dark and gloomy appearance reflects her jealous and cunning personality, which lacks empathy and warmth Her disbelief and misunderstanding of love lead to loneliness and a sense of unfulfillment, making her a complex character driven by negative emotions.
(2) Eric could see the bright in Ariel’s eyes (The Little Mermaid)
What made Eric impressed with Ariel was her eyes Ariel could not talk, but Eric could feel what she felt and know what she wanted to do
(3) The result was the reflection of the process (All films)
