This document discusses analyzing movies, particularly children's movies, to identify implied messages and themes. It makes a distinction between overt messages that are directly stated versus implied messages that are not directly stated but present in actions and expressions. Two examples are provided: the implied message in Snow White is "some day my prince will come" but this also problematically implies that beauty is the only important trait for a woman. A group activity is suggested to analyze clips from The Lorax, Wizard of Oz, and Happy Feet to identify implied cliché messages and possible problematic themes.

1. Agendas: Implied
Thesis
Disney and beyond…

2. Free-write
 Think back to your favorite movie as a child.
 Do you think this movie has a main
message? In other words, what was it trying
to teach you if anything?
 Why do you think it targeted children
specifically to send this message?

3. Overt vs. Implied
 Overt- specifically stated by a main
character or supporting character at some
point in the film
 Implied- never really stated but present
whether by examining actions, reading
facial expressions, or by focusing on what
the characters are NOT saying.

4. Thinking in Clichés
 Movie: Snow White
 Cliché message: “Some day my prince will
come” There is a man out there for
everyone.
 Problematized: Being beautiful is the only
trait that matters in a woman.
 See Disney handout

5. Thinking Critically/ Problematizing the
Movie

7. Group activity
 Lorax clip
 Wizard of Oz clip
 Happy Feet clip
 See if you can identify the cliché and a
possible problematic thesis.
 Be prepared to discuss.