Introduction

Disney has always been a fun part of my life.  Whether it was watching classic movies like The Aristocats or 101 Dalmations when I was younger or getting excited to go see more recent movies like Tangled, Frozen, or Moana when they came out, I’ve always enjoyed watching or singing along to Disney.  As I got older, I also started to like analyzing the movies for some of the deeper symbols or themes they present (like the way Elsa’s ice in changes shape and color with her emotions or use of the manta rays as a representation of Grandma Tala’s spirit in Moana). When the time came to pick a Writing 101 course, Decoding Disney seemed like an ideal choice.  It would appeal to my childhood love of all things Disney, as well as allowing me to explore these movies from a more mature and analytical perspective.

Disney has played a role in a lot of my favorite memories over the years, from my early memories of visiting Disneyland with my parents and sister (I still enjoy meeting characters and getting their autographs), to my final high school musical being a production of Tarzan (I was a gorilla), so it holds a special place in my heart.  I grew up watching Disney Channel shows like Kim Possible, Lilo and Stitch, and Phineas and Ferb.   I feel that a lot of who I am today has been shaped by my experiences with the world of Disney.  

This semester, I’m excited about the idea of exploring villainy in Disney, especially since there is such a variety in how villains are portrayed in Disney movies.  They range from over-the-top, theatrical characters, like Ursula in The Little Mermaid or Scar in The Lion King, to villains like Frozen’s Hans and Big Hero 6’s Professor Callahan, whom you don’t suspect to be villainous until the “big reveal” later in the movie.