Investigation of Binaries in Maleficent through Plumwood’s Ecofeminist Theory of Dualism: An Ecocritical Analysis

Abstract

The human soul is a complex amalgamation of malice and benevolence, reflecting the duality inherent in human nature. As the most intelligent beings on Earth, humans exert control over various aspects of life, often subjugating what they dominate, thereby creating a continuum of binary relationships. Disney's 2014 production, Maleficent, eloquently captures this dualism by depicting the protagonist as a combination of ecological and feminine traits. This research study employs Val Plumwood's ecofeminist theory of dualism as the theoretical framework to explore Maleficent as an ecofeminist protagonist. Plumwood's theory is critical in that it questions the hierarchical dualisms present in Western philosophy, including the bifurcation of nature and culture and women and nature's domination by patriarchal institutions. Through this paradigm, the paper aims to reveal the manner in which the movie challenges conventional gender roles and pushes against the anthropocentric worldview. By highlighting the ways in which popular media can represent and influence notions of gender and environmental ethics and by depicting Maleficent as a figure of resistance and rebellion against ecological and gendered oppression, the research contributes to the broader discussion of ecofeminism. By this examination, the paper will illustrate how Maleficent is not only a tale of individual revenge but also an insightful commentary on the intersections between environmental and feminist issues.