Outline

Written Task 2: Language and Gender

Prescribed question: Which social groups are marginalized, excluded or silenced within the
text?

Title of text for analysis: The Emperors New Groove

Part of the course to which the task refers: Part 1: Language & Culture

My critical response will:

- Explain why gender roles are created in Disney movies by looking at the audience and
the purpose of the text
- Explain what kind of effect the gender roles / gender inequality portrayed in Disney
films have on its audience
- Explain how gender inequality is portrayed in the Emperors New Groove through
the use of colour, body language, and tone
Written Task 2: Language and Gender
Oliver van Hellenberg Hubar
Men should be masculine and have leading roles whilst women should be submissive and stay
in the kitchen. This is a concept that has been internalized in our society through different
influences, among which Disney films. Children, however, Disneys main audience, are not
that critical; they watch the movies because they find them entertaining. The obviousness of
gender roles and inequality is camouflaged by blunt remarks and funny animations, but the
message still comes across and affects the childs attitude in life. In the Disney film the
Emperors New Groove this is also the case. The Emperors New Groove is a movie about
an emperor on his journey to remaster his throne, after being turned into a llama by his ex-
administrator. Every child will find this a funny story and wont pay attention to the gender
roles. However, in one particular scene, the gender inequality between men and women is
portrayed through colour, body language, and tone.

In the scene, emperor Kuzco is called in by one of his servants as he must choose his bride.
The seven prettiest women in town were called in and are standing on the podium in a row.
As Kuzco walks past all seven of them, he exclaims Yikes! multiple times and mentions
how none of them are pretty and thus not a good fit as his wife. All of the ladies look gloomy
as if they had needed Kuzcos approval in order for them to be pretty. Kuzcos last words are:
Is this really the best you could do? emphasizing his might and condescending attitude
towards the brides.

The gender inequality between women and men can be traced back to the use of colour in the
scene. Emperor Kuzco, the main character, is a man with a lot of power and influence; he
looks down upon everyone else. His might is rather apparent in his style of clothing. Kuzco is
wearing a bright red gown with gold details, blue earrings, and golden jewelry. The colour red
is known to attract and steal the attention. The colour red also symbolizes strength,
masculinity, and leadership, three properties Kuzco strives for. His bright colours contrast
with the rest of the characters. All seven potential brides are essentially wearing the exact
same outfits; white dresses with gold details. The only differences between the characters are
the slight alterations in accessories and hairstyles. The fact that women all share the same and
unexciting, white colour emphasizes their lack of influence in the process of the marriage or
their lack of influence overall. Even though the ladies form a greater group, they are still
overpowered by one man in red. They are not portrayed as individuals with different opinions,
but as voiceless cattle ready to be inspected. The contrast in colour between the brides and
Kuzco emphasizes the inequality between men and women; men are powerful and can act
condescending towards women, whilst women are objectified and silenced.

The body language in the bride scene of the Emperors New Groove perfectly portrays the
inequality and differences between males and females. After kicking in the door, Emperor
Kuzco walks towards the first of seven ladies. As soon as he stands in front of her, he crosses
his arms partially and points at her. Pointing your finger at someone symbolizes aggression
and threat; it can be very confrontational and dictatorial. Going through his options, as if he is
shopping for a new bag, Kuzco maintains his judgmental body language, pointing at each
potential bride. This emphasizes Kuzcos supremacy, confidence and condescending attitude
towards women.
The women, on the other hand, each share the same, submissive body language. At first, all of
them look straight in front of them nervously, holding their own hands in front of them.
Generally, this arm gesture symbolizes insecurity and a lack of self-confidence. After being
pointed at by the emperor, their body language changes. After being denied and called ugly,
the brides now grip their own upper own upper arm whilst looking down at the ground.
Gripping ones own upper arm symbolizes insecurity; its an attempt to reassure unhappy or
unsafe feelings. Looking down at the ground implies vulnerability, shame and a feeling of
failure. The body language in this scene shows us that Kuzco, representing the male gender,
has a leading role and can judge upon others, in this case, females. In contrary to men, women
are characterized by their timidity and insecurities, as if they are worth less than men.

Lastly, the overall tone in the scene stresses the inequality between men and women. As
mentioned before, Emperor Kuzco walks past each candidate to see whether they meet the
requirements of being his wife. However, before doing so, he says: Trot out the ladies. Lets
take a look, see. This phrase has a rather negative connotation, as it sounds like the ladies are
objects on display. As he walks past each of them, he makes a few negative remarks about
their appearances; Hate your hair, Not likely, Yikes, and Let me guess, you have a great
personality?. These phrases share the same tone, as if the women are not worth Kuzcos time,
based on their appearance. The last phrase, however, has a sarcastic ring to it. Kuzco is
implying all women try to distinguish themselves from others by mentioning their great
personalities. The final phrase, Is this really the best you could do?, emphasizes the fact that
the women are not worth Kuzcos time, as he is superior to them. The tone in this scene
portrays how women are inferior to men and how women are judged upon.

To conclude, the Disney film the Emperors New Groove entertains its audience, children.
The creators achieved this by creating rather nave, fixed gender roles and gender inequality
through the use of colour, body language, and tone. Children will unknowingly be
indoctrinated to believe in the concept of gender roles, which will affect them the rest of their
life. Disney movies dont have happy endings after all.

Word count: 1000

Sources:

Body Language: Arm Gestures. Retrieved April 06, 2017, from

https://lonerwolf.com/body-language-arms/
Body language. (n.d.). Retrieved April 06, 2017, from
http://www.businessballs.com/body-language.htm
Bride Scene from The Emperor's New Groove. (2016, October 19). Retrieved April
06, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wglVhIP4rWk
The Emperor's New Groove [Motion picture on VHS]. (2001). United States : Walt
Disney
Red Color Meaning The Color Red. (2013, November 26). Retrieved April 06, 2017,
from http://www.color-meanings.com/red-color-meaning-the-color-red/