Methodology

This study aims to track and examine the change of the shadow archetype in Disney movies over time. In my methodology, I specifically will examine characters and archetypes that I have previously identified.

Disney has eight well established eras, but I have chosen five films from five eras that I think convey the time significance:

The Golden Age (1939 – 1942): Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
The Silver Age (1950-1959): Sleeping Beauty
The Disney Renaissance (1989-1999): Hunchback of Notre Dame (also could have The Lion King or Beauty and the Beast)
The Revival Era 2010-Present: Frozen
The Live Action(Added) Present: Cruella (Maleficent)
I have chosen each film based on cultural significance and lasting impact (as something most representative of the cultural norms and perceptions of such time period)
To analyze the presence and effects of the shadow archetype, I will be using quantitative methodology involving content analysis inspired by the work of researchers at Malayalam University and Jungian Reflections within the Cinema: A Psychological Analysis of Sci-Fi and Fantasy Archetypes.
To analyze narrative gender dynamics(anima and animus), a codebook will be developed to classify traits commonly associated with villainy. Initial traits will be drawn from literature on gender and media stereotypes, including themes of manipulation, vanity, jealousy, greed, ambition, and use of psychological over physical power. This codex will be based off of preexisting codexes on femininity and gender dysmorphia by fellow scholars in the field, so that it is more accurate and tested.
I will watch each of these “keynote” films several times –
First Viewing: focuses on the main villain’s dialogue, actions, and interactions.
Second Viewing: focuses on specific villainous behaviors, motivations, and visual traits (e.g., costume, expressions, gestures)
These will be noted down and compared using a predefined coding sheet on whether qualities are more feminine or masculine.

Coded traits will be grouped into thematic categories (e.g., “psychological manipulation,” “physical aggression,” “vanity”) → Traits will be compared across films to identify recurring patterns and contrasts.
Using findings, I aim to assess how it relates to dynamics of that to dynamic between gender or good and evil
The limitations of the method are that I’m not sure if only doing 3-4 films is sufficient data go really see any change over time in characterization, and also finding a common codex that actually works for all films is hard(I could leave out something in the codex, which is why finding a wide range is important)

Oral Defense: How is the method/process aligned with the goals of your research? What are the methods that you rejected? : The method I chose aligns because it offers a more focused tackle on my question: by analyzing that change of one archetype over time, rather than myriads of different characters and storylines, change over time in characterization is easier to see and track. The methods I rejected were analyzing 10/20ish films in the hopes of getting more data and a more holistic look at change over time in tropes