Description: An interdisciplinary roster of contributors analyze intersections of Disney studies and animal studies to illuminate recurring themes and social issues, such as animal rights advocacy, that transcend Disney culture.
Brief description: Kathy Merlock Jackson is Professor of Media and Communication at Virginia Wesleyan University, USA.
Review Quotes:
"Jackson, Stolley, and West have given us a solid collection of interdisciplinary essays that insightfully connect Disney Studies and Animal Studies. The essays shed light not only on Walt's legacy of caring for animals, but also how that legacy continues to shape Walt Disney Studios to this day. Including discussions of popular films, theme park attractions, and imaginary creatures, this diverse, well-written, and engaging collection should attract anyone with an interest in Disney Studies, Animal Studies, and Film Studies." --Carl Sederholm, Professor of Interdisciplinary Humanities, Brigham Young University, USA, and Editor of The Journal of American Culture
"The Portrayal of Animals in Disney Culture poignantly highlights the interdisciplinary nature of Disney Studies by framing the exploration of Disney through a discipline often not associated with media studies at large: human-animal studies. Animals abound in Disney, yet analysis of them does not always draw on the rich scholarship of human-animal studies, making this book an important bridge between the two disciplines by more complexly understanding humans (creators and characters) as just one part in a larger circle of life. Moreover, the wide spectrum of approaches this book takes - from historical biographical study of Walt's relationship to animals to analysis of animals in specific (animated, live-action, and theme park) texts to exploring representations of specific animals across Disney's oeuvre - invites scholars of various disciplines and theoretical approaches to reexamine what and how we think about animals, particularly in relation to Disney but also in broader American society. This comprehensive collection both furthers the here-to-fore isolated scholarship on animals in Disney while also providing a central hub for any scholar wanting to research this topic." --Rebecca Rowe, Assistant Professor, East Texas A&M University, USA, and Founding Editor of International Journal of Disney Studies. "I began reading The Portrayal of Animals in Disney expecting a cultural analysis of familiar films and characters, instead I found myself rethinking stories that have been with me since childhood. This book gently but powerfully reveals how Disney's animals have shaped the way generations of viewers learn empathy, hierarchy, innocence, and even whose lives matter. What makes this volume especially compelling is the care with which the editors have curated its chapters and contributors, each perspective distinct, yet thoughtfully building on the others in deep and often surprising ways. By the final pages, I was engaging Disney differently, listening more closely to what these stories ask us to feel, excuse, and value. This is a thoughtful, engaging, and quietly transformative book, one that stays with you long after you close it." --Cameron Whitley, Associate Professor of Sociology, Western Washington University, USA