The Portrayal of Animals in Disney Culture

Applying various disciplinary perspectives with overlapping themes, contributors to this volume analyze the intersections of Disney studies and animal studies, demonstrating how common themes and issues transcend the context of Disney culture. Through detailed analyses, contributors examine the roles played by animals in Disney culture, identifying recurring themes – like animal rights advocacy, the animal as Other, and the bond between humans and their dogs – that speak to the complex saga of human–animal relationships across time and cultural contexts. Ranging from Disney’s early-career projects like Silly Symphonies and World War II propaganda to animated features including Alice in Wonderland (1951) and Luca (2021), live-action films such as Home on the Range (2004), and even representations of animals found at the theme parks, this volume offers a comprehensive study of the menagerie from insects and mice all the way up to lions and elephants.