Historical lenses in the movie Moana

Question

We watched the Disney movie Moana, and I am trying to answer the following questions about the historical lenses in the movie:

1. What literary or historical influences helped to shape the form and content of the work?
2. How does the story reflect the attitudes and beliefs of the time in which it was written or set? (Consider beliefs and attitudes related to race, religion, politics, gender, society, philosophy, etc.)
3. What other literary works may have influenced the writer?

Answer 1

Hi Eviet, What does Moana make you think of first?

1) The first work that comes to mind when I think of Moana is the "story" of Pocahantas. Although they come from distinctly different native tribes, they are both strong-willed ladies who disobey their father's orders (both chiefs).

2) What is interesting, to me, is that in many tribes, women were allowed to become prominent members of the community. Unlike in many European cultures, women were considered leaders and essential members of the community. In some tribes, they can be chiefs, shaman, and healers. This depends on the group and culture, obviously. Indigenous cultures in Australia (aborigines or Maori) are different from the Americas (Incans and Indians), which are different from the Germanic tribes like Vikings. But many of them accepted female rulers or chiefs. Whereas, European rule was passed to the male heir.

3) Some parts of the story come from active Polynesian myths such as those of Maui and his origins.