I also came across a study entitled "Death in Disney Films: Implications for Children's Understanding of Death" By Meredith Cox, Erin Garrett and James A. Graham from The College of New Jersey which was conducted in 2004/2005.
Ten full length animated Disney movies were chosen to look at in the study. They are spread out over the past 60 years of Disney releases. Three were from pre 1970 and seven were after, this is due to the fact that less movies had a major theme of death pre 1970 and also movies since 1970 were released with more regularity due to the change in technology.
The chosen films were;
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (1937)
- Bambi (1942)
- Sleeping Beauty (1959)
- The Little Mermaid (1989)
- Beauty and the Beast (1991)
- The Lion King (1994)
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
- Hercules (1997)
- Mulan (1998)
- Tarzan (1999)
Character Status: Whether the character who died was a protagonist or an antagonist.
Depiction of Death: Whether the character is shown dying an "explicit death" where the audience definitely sees the character's dead body and therefore knows they are definitely dead or something like when a character is put into a state of death like sleep as a result of a spell.
Death Status: Refers to whether the death is a final and permanent death or a reversible death where the character returns from the state of death either back to their original form or returning as a spirit or altered form.
Causality: This refers to what caused the death, whether it was an accidental death or happened because of the intent of another character to kill. This also referred to whether the character's death was justified, if the character was evil or committed actions which warranted retribution.
Results:
The following section is quoted directly from the study:
"Our study examined the portrayal of death and grieving in Disney films geared
toward children, and focused on five factors.
Character Status
A total of 23 death scenes occurred in the 10 Disney films analyzed. Protagonists and antagonists were portrayed nearly equally in those scenes. Out of the 23 characters who died, 52% were protagonists (n = 12) and 48% (n = 11) were antagonists (see Table 1).
Character Status
A total of 23 death scenes occurred in the 10 Disney films analyzed. Protagonists and antagonists were portrayed nearly equally in those scenes. Out of the 23 characters who died, 52% were protagonists (n = 12) and 48% (n = 11) were antagonists (see Table 1).
Depiction of Death
Implicit death accounted for 43% of total deaths (n = 10) and explicit death (n = 11) accounted for 48%. We found that 64% of explicit deaths occurred among protagonists (n = 7) while only 36% of explicit deaths were the deaths of antagonists (n = 4). In contrast, implicit deaths occurred more among antagonists: 70% of antagonists died in implicit death scenes (n = 7), whereas only 30% of protagonists did (n = 3). Sleep death was not nearly as common as “real” death portrayals, occurring in 9% of death instances (n = 2). Both sleep deaths occurred among protagonists (see Table 1).
Death Status
A large majority of deaths (74%) were portrayed as permanent, final, and irreversible (n = 17). Out of the permanent deaths, 59% were those of antagonists (n = 10) and 41% were protagonists (n = 7). Reversible death occurred in 26% of death scenes (n = 6). Of the six reversible deaths, 67% (n = 4) of characters returned in their same form and 33% (n = 2) reappeared in altered forms. All of the reversible deaths were among protagonists (see Table 2).
Emotional Reaction
In terms of reactions to a character’s death, the most prevalent type of emotion displayed by characters was negative emotion, which occurred in 48% of death scenes (n = 11). Negative emotions included typical grieving responses such as fear, crying, and expressing anger or frustration over a loss. Out of the negative emotional responses, 91% (n = 10) were for the deaths of protagonists, whereas only 9% (n = 1) resulted from the death of an antagonist. Positive emotion, indicated by happiness, relief, or celebration of a loss, occurred in only 13% of deaths (n = 3). Positive emotion resulted solely from the deaths of antagonists.
Interestingly, neutral or lacking emotion occurred in 39% of death scenes (n = 9), which is nearly as frequently as grieving/negative emotion did. The majority of instances of lacking emotion (78%) were associated with the deaths of antagonists (n = 7), whereas only 22% of protagonist deaths resulted in neutral or lacking emotion (n = 2) (see Table 3).
Causality
Purposeful deaths occurred most frequently, i.e., 70% (n = 16) of all deaths. Out of these purposeful deaths, 38% (n = 6) were justified and 62% (n = 10) were unjustified. Accidental deaths made up 30% of total deaths (n = 7). Out of accidental deaths, 71% (n = 5) were justified and 29% (n = 2) were seen as unjustified. When justification was considered, regardless of motivation or cause of death, it was found that the respective prevalence of justified and unjustified deaths were nearly equal: justified deaths accounted for 48% of all deaths (n = 11) and unjustified deaths accounted for 52% of deaths (n = 12).
When both aspects of the causality category were considered together (purposeful/accident and justified/unjustified), the following was found: all purposeful, justified deaths resulted in the death of an antagonist (n = 6), and all purposeful, unjustified deaths were those of the protagonists (n = 10). All of the accidental, justified deaths were to antagonists (n = 5) and the accidental, unjustified deaths were to all protagonists (n = 2) (see Table 4).
accidental, justified deaths were to antagonists (n = 5) and the accidental,
unjustified deaths were to all protagonists (n = 2) (see Table 4).
The purpose of our content analysis was to examine the depiction of death in Disney movies. Based on the content analysis of 23 death scenes in 10 Disney films, several trends were observed. Each of the five aspects of death portrayals is discussed separately.
Character Status
The deaths shown in the films were comprised of almost equal numbers of protagonists and of antagonists. This demonstrates a fair distribution of the portrayal of “good” and “bad” characters, showing that both character types are susceptible to death. Many children viewing these scenes receive the message that even good characters that we care about may also die (Brent et al., 1996; Willis, 2002).
Depiction of Death
The depictions of explicit and implicit deaths were fairly equal. Explicit deaths were seen more in scenes where protagonists died. This can be viewed as a positive point because these scenes demonstrate real, explicit deaths of characters to whom the viewer has developed an attachment. However, this can be potentially traumatic for some children because they actually must witness a death. An example is seen in The Lion King, where a child must watch as Mufasa is thrown to his death.
The purpose of our content analysis was to examine the depiction of death in Disney movies. Based on the content analysis of 23 death scenes in 10 Disney films, several trends were observed. Each of the five aspects of death portrayals is discussed separately.
Character Status
The deaths shown in the films were comprised of almost equal numbers of protagonists and of antagonists. This demonstrates a fair distribution of the portrayal of “good” and “bad” characters, showing that both character types are susceptible to death. Many children viewing these scenes receive the message that even good characters that we care about may also die (Brent et al., 1996; Willis, 2002).
Depiction of Death
The depictions of explicit and implicit deaths were fairly equal. Explicit deaths were seen more in scenes where protagonists died. This can be viewed as a positive point because these scenes demonstrate real, explicit deaths of characters to whom the viewer has developed an attachment. However, this can be potentially traumatic for some children because they actually must witness a death. An example is seen in The Lion King, where a child must watch as Mufasa is thrown to his death.
The fact that implicit deaths occurred mostly among antagonists may send
the message that their deaths are inconsequential in comparison to those of the
protagonists. This can perhaps be seen as negative due to the fact that
the antagonists’ deaths are often merely implied (rather than being explicitly
described).
Though sleep deaths only occurred twice out of 23 total deaths, it is important to discuss the implications of this type of portrayal. The sleep deaths occurred in two older films: Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, which is likely due to the fact that before the 1970s presenting death to audiences in animated films was not considered as big of an issue as it is today. Instead, the issue was dealt with through the use of the sleep deaths, in which spells meant to incur death were magically altered to produce only sleep in characters, rather than death. The fact that sleep deaths did not occur in Disney films released post-1970s may be an indication that children’s exposure to death has increased and is now a somewhat less taboo issue in our society.
Death Status
The majority of deaths shown in the selected Disney films were permanent. This is a positive message because it enforces the idea that death is a permanent phenomenon, a concept that many young children do not fully grasp (Baker et al., 1992; Brent et al., 1996; Grollman, 1990; Willis, 2002). Seeing this in Disney films might help some children develop this understanding sooner. However, if they are left unaided in understanding these scenes, they may be upset at the permanence of death. Therefore, because many young children lack the cognitive abilities and experiences required to comprehend the concept of death fully, it is important for parents or teachers to guide them through the processes of learning about death.
Of the deaths that occurred, only six were shown as reversible. All of these reversible deaths occurred among protagonists, showing that antagonists or “bad guys” do not get a second chance at life, at least in some Disney films. Protagonists, on the other hand, fare much better. Half of the protagonists that had died in all 10 films “came back” in some way. An example of a scene that represents this concept is one in which Mufasa returns to communicate with Simba in The Lion King. This shows many children that loved ones can always be a part of them, even after death. However, young children may confuse this idea with the notion that the deceased may actually return (Worden & Silverman, 1996).
Emotional Reaction
In terms of emotion shown over death, almost all of the negative emotion was shown as a result of protagonist’s deaths. This may provide some children who lack experience with death with a model of grieving (Baker et al., 1992). Presumably, when children see characters grieve and show sadness or frustration over the deaths of loved ones, they may learn that these are acceptable and normal behaviors.
Though sleep deaths only occurred twice out of 23 total deaths, it is important to discuss the implications of this type of portrayal. The sleep deaths occurred in two older films: Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, which is likely due to the fact that before the 1970s presenting death to audiences in animated films was not considered as big of an issue as it is today. Instead, the issue was dealt with through the use of the sleep deaths, in which spells meant to incur death were magically altered to produce only sleep in characters, rather than death. The fact that sleep deaths did not occur in Disney films released post-1970s may be an indication that children’s exposure to death has increased and is now a somewhat less taboo issue in our society.
Death Status
The majority of deaths shown in the selected Disney films were permanent. This is a positive message because it enforces the idea that death is a permanent phenomenon, a concept that many young children do not fully grasp (Baker et al., 1992; Brent et al., 1996; Grollman, 1990; Willis, 2002). Seeing this in Disney films might help some children develop this understanding sooner. However, if they are left unaided in understanding these scenes, they may be upset at the permanence of death. Therefore, because many young children lack the cognitive abilities and experiences required to comprehend the concept of death fully, it is important for parents or teachers to guide them through the processes of learning about death.
Of the deaths that occurred, only six were shown as reversible. All of these reversible deaths occurred among protagonists, showing that antagonists or “bad guys” do not get a second chance at life, at least in some Disney films. Protagonists, on the other hand, fare much better. Half of the protagonists that had died in all 10 films “came back” in some way. An example of a scene that represents this concept is one in which Mufasa returns to communicate with Simba in The Lion King. This shows many children that loved ones can always be a part of them, even after death. However, young children may confuse this idea with the notion that the deceased may actually return (Worden & Silverman, 1996).
Emotional Reaction
In terms of emotion shown over death, almost all of the negative emotion was shown as a result of protagonist’s deaths. This may provide some children who lack experience with death with a model of grieving (Baker et al., 1992). Presumably, when children see characters grieve and show sadness or frustration over the deaths of loved ones, they may learn that these are acceptable and normal behaviors.
Positive emotional reactions to death occurred solely for antagonists. However,
this was not common; the deaths of only three “bad guys” resulted in positive
emotion such as visible happiness and relief over their deaths. Most of the
deaths that lacked any real emotional reactions were those of antagonists. This
shows that the death of a character that is disliked may not warrant clapping
and cheering but that it is not worth recognizing it at all. In addition, when one of
these deaths is acknowledged, it is done in a positive and celebratory manner.
Causality
It was found that all of the justified deaths within the 10 Disney films were those of antagonists. This further demonstrates the trend in Disney films to vilify the antagonists to a point where they are seen as deserving their death. Along the same lines, all unjustified deaths were those of protagonists, showing that good characters never deserve to die.
The deaths of antagonists often result from accidents. However, we are made aware by the films that the antagonists deserve to die because they have done negative things, usually to a protagonist. The fact that they die accidentally allows them to “get what they deserve” while still allowing the protagonists to look good. In other words, protagonists are too good to kill others; thus, the antagonists must die accidentally. For example, in Beauty in the Beast, Gaston (the antagonist) stabs the Beast (the protagonist). The Beast, writhing in pain, “accidentally” causes Gaston to lose his balance on the castle tower, which results in Gaston falling to his implied death. When protagonists died, antagonists most often purposely killed them. This further demonstrates the evil of the antagonists."
Conclusions:
I think it's very interesting that the instances of death of a character were spread fairly evenly between antagonists and protagonists. I think it's important that when portraying death to children that you show that not only the evil people die, and that it's not okay that they died because they "got what they deserved". I think there is a tendency in movies aimed at children to have the kind of feeling that an evil person got what they deserved in dying. You can see from the results of the study that this is mostly the case;
"Out of the negative emotional responses, 91% (n = 10) were for the deaths of protagonists, whereas
only 9% (n = 1) resulted from the death of an antagonist. Positive emotion, indicated by happiness, relief, or celebration of a loss, occurred in only 13% of deaths (n = 3). Positive emotion resulted solely from the deaths of antagonists."
In terms of emotional reaction to the death of a character most of the time sadness and grief is only shown when protagonists die. And a positive reaction of happiness only happened when the antagonist died.
The results in terms of depiction of death are also interesting as they show an fairly even spread between explicit and implied death but most of the time explicit death happened to a protagonist. This can be seen as a positive thing as it shows to children the reaction of other characters in relation to the death and it shows the death as permanent in a very honest way. I think this would help children to understand what happens to someone when they die. A lot of child psychology text I have read states that children, particularly younger children, have a lot of difficulty understanding death so I think showing death is an important tool in helping them understand or at least helping to promote dialogue between children and parents.
In two of the older movies picked (Snow White and the Seven Dwarves 1937 and Sleeping Beauty 1959) the opposite is presented. Death is portrayed by a sort of sleep like state. This is probably because at the time presenting death to children in animated movies was not seen as much of an important issue as it is now. I think there is a danger of confusing children about the finality of death when likening it to sleep. It has also been proven to cause some children to be afraid of sleeping as they think they might not wake up.
I think overall the portrayal of death in Disney films is positive in helping children come to terms with the concept and I think they definitely help the child open up a dialogue with a parent or other adult about how they are feeling after a loss or just simply helping a child's emotional development. Studies have shown that parents have trouble finding the right way to talk about loss with their children so I think that by watching a film or reading a book together would help enable them to share experiences and talk about the situation.
This research has proven to me that my studio project is definitely going in the right direction. Narrative that deals with the emotions faced when grieving can help children come to terms with their loss and enables a dialogue between children and adults.
Causality
It was found that all of the justified deaths within the 10 Disney films were those of antagonists. This further demonstrates the trend in Disney films to vilify the antagonists to a point where they are seen as deserving their death. Along the same lines, all unjustified deaths were those of protagonists, showing that good characters never deserve to die.
The deaths of antagonists often result from accidents. However, we are made aware by the films that the antagonists deserve to die because they have done negative things, usually to a protagonist. The fact that they die accidentally allows them to “get what they deserve” while still allowing the protagonists to look good. In other words, protagonists are too good to kill others; thus, the antagonists must die accidentally. For example, in Beauty in the Beast, Gaston (the antagonist) stabs the Beast (the protagonist). The Beast, writhing in pain, “accidentally” causes Gaston to lose his balance on the castle tower, which results in Gaston falling to his implied death. When protagonists died, antagonists most often purposely killed them. This further demonstrates the evil of the antagonists."
Conclusions:
I think it's very interesting that the instances of death of a character were spread fairly evenly between antagonists and protagonists. I think it's important that when portraying death to children that you show that not only the evil people die, and that it's not okay that they died because they "got what they deserved". I think there is a tendency in movies aimed at children to have the kind of feeling that an evil person got what they deserved in dying. You can see from the results of the study that this is mostly the case;
"Out of the negative emotional responses, 91% (n = 10) were for the deaths of protagonists, whereas
only 9% (n = 1) resulted from the death of an antagonist. Positive emotion, indicated by happiness, relief, or celebration of a loss, occurred in only 13% of deaths (n = 3). Positive emotion resulted solely from the deaths of antagonists."
In terms of emotional reaction to the death of a character most of the time sadness and grief is only shown when protagonists die. And a positive reaction of happiness only happened when the antagonist died.
The results in terms of depiction of death are also interesting as they show an fairly even spread between explicit and implied death but most of the time explicit death happened to a protagonist. This can be seen as a positive thing as it shows to children the reaction of other characters in relation to the death and it shows the death as permanent in a very honest way. I think this would help children to understand what happens to someone when they die. A lot of child psychology text I have read states that children, particularly younger children, have a lot of difficulty understanding death so I think showing death is an important tool in helping them understand or at least helping to promote dialogue between children and parents.
In two of the older movies picked (Snow White and the Seven Dwarves 1937 and Sleeping Beauty 1959) the opposite is presented. Death is portrayed by a sort of sleep like state. This is probably because at the time presenting death to children in animated movies was not seen as much of an important issue as it is now. I think there is a danger of confusing children about the finality of death when likening it to sleep. It has also been proven to cause some children to be afraid of sleeping as they think they might not wake up.
I think overall the portrayal of death in Disney films is positive in helping children come to terms with the concept and I think they definitely help the child open up a dialogue with a parent or other adult about how they are feeling after a loss or just simply helping a child's emotional development. Studies have shown that parents have trouble finding the right way to talk about loss with their children so I think that by watching a film or reading a book together would help enable them to share experiences and talk about the situation.
This research has proven to me that my studio project is definitely going in the right direction. Narrative that deals with the emotions faced when grieving can help children come to terms with their loss and enables a dialogue between children and adults.
Examples of other children's films dealing with death.
Disney Pixar's Up:
The first 10 minutes of the film Up deal with some very emotionally heavy issues. The scenes show the relationship between two people, Carl and Ellie, from their meeting as children until Ellie's death which is where the film starts properly. The scenes show the couple suffering the tragedy of losing a child during pregnancy, I think the way it is portrayed is very clever and sensitive. I think a lot of people would argue that it's not the sort of thing which should be in a children's film but I think that opening up children to this sort of feeling or idea can be positive to their emotional development and can make it easier for parents to talk to their children about these sorts of issues.
Pixar films are known for including emotional scenes particularly concerning death or loss. Another example is Finding Nemo where in the beginning scenes the audience sees how Nemo's mother is killed trying to protect him, in a similar way to the beginning of the Disney classic Bambi.
In both Finding Nemo and Up the plot focuses on how the characters learn to deal with their grief and grow as a person which I think is a very important tool in helping children learn to deal with their grief. They show the sadness of the character and even some of the other emotions people deal with after death of a loved one but ultimately the character ends up growing and acquiring strength from that loss.
http://movies.about.com/od/animatedmovies/tp/pixar-shocking-moments.htm
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