The Construction of Racism in Cartoon Films: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Abstract

Animation is an industry that is expanding more quickly than ever. Every child’s favorite activity is watching cartoons. Therefore, it is essential to be cautious of the kinds of cartoon films children and teenagers tend. Because children and teenagers are the target audience for these films. This study aims at exposing a hidden enactment, namely racism, in a well-known cartoon film, Lion King, which has been selected accurately by the researchers because it shapes a set of ideas about black people and constructs prejudiced beliefs in their minds. This study is to answer the inquiry ‘Is the ideology of racism imposed in Lion King? And how?’ The significance of the present paper lies in highlighting the educational function of cartoon films so parents and caregivers become more aware. In addition, this study is crucial for researchers in the critical discourse analysis approach in the sense of how van Dijk’s (2000) model can be applied to children’s literature. The ideology of racism is investigated in the language of the film’s characters. The researchers have concluded that the ideology of racism is promoted in Lion King using various linguistic tools and strategies.