In a society where seeing a new movie in theaters is a weekly activity, it easy to look past any hidden themes. Sarah Boxer, former staff writer and editor for The New York Times, points out the real meaning of why so many children movies have the dead-mother plot. Boxer uses an easygoing and knowledgeable approach to appeal to her readers and advise parents and movie enthusiasts about the overlooked misogyny in children movies. Readers are able to connect with her personal approach and are also able to clearly see the “misogyny made cute” through all of the examples given (91). Boxer is able to respond to any of the opposing views that a reader may have and answers them with either examples of reality or movie examples. Boxer concludes her article by leaving the audience with a positive example, that hopefully will inspire filmmakers. Throughout the structure and personal appeal of her article, Boxer is able to inform her readers about the patriarchal stance that many of children's movies have. Boxer shares with the audience her story of how she recognized the dead-mother plot and encourages the audience to hear her appeal through a personal approach. She first realizes the similar theme of mothers in movies being gone or useless in her rides on Peter Pan Bus Lines, but is then reintroduced to this theme when she began watching movies with her son. By opening her article with this personal reference she uses ethos to draw the audience in and allow them to see from her perspective. By using a personable introduction, it also gives the audience backstory into why she is drawing attention to this recurring pattern that children movies have. Boxer continues her appeal to the audiences ethos by including specific movie examples and referencing viewpoints from many other critics. A specific example that illustrates her claim is Finding Nemo, a movie that is a perfect in showing how in many movies a father replaces the dead mother and becomes the ideal parent. Along with showing the development of an ideal father son relationship, the movie displays another recurring theme of a father figure redeeming himself. To establish her argument further she quotes Emily Yoffe, a writer from The New York Times, who claims that the movie Sleepless in Seattle shows the repetitive theme of how “a Dad’s magic depends on Mom’s death” (88). Boxer encourages the audience to agree with her by not only including a specific movie example but also with another critic’s viewpoint. Not only does referencing other critics strengthen her claim in regards to opinions but it helps by showing her extensive research on the topic. This strategy appeals not only to ethos but logos. By Boxer’s use of a personal story, movie examples, and other critic’s opinions she is able to draw in her audience and specifically inform them of what is wrong in children movies. The whole point of children’s movies is to invoke imagination and create a land of fantasy, but when does that become a danger? Boxer uses this type of question to strengthen her claim and shows the importance of looking closely at movies even if it is intended for children. Boxer anticipates any resistance to her ideas and wins critics over by showing them the reality of the situation. One of the opposing views that Boxer disputes is the idea that she has taken it out of proportions, and that a children’s movie should not be overanalyzed. She argues with this idea by stating the facts
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Boxer influences the readers by pointing out an example of a movie that portrays reality. The Incredibles is a movie that shows an exemplary mother figure along with a credible father figure. The plot of the movie is the mother saving the father from the mess he got himself in, while also being a mother to her children. “It’s a view of what animated movies could be - not another desperate attempt to assert the inalienable rights of men, but an incredible world where everyone has rights and powers, even the mothers.” (94). By using this inspiring example of what Boxer sees as an ideal movie to end off her article it encourages the audience to see that there is hope for
Boxer influences the readers by pointing out an example of a movie that portrays reality. The Incredibles is a movie that shows an exemplary mother figure along with a credible father figure. The plot of the movie is the mother saving the father from the mess he got himself in, while also being a mother to her children. “It’s a view of what animated movies could be - not another desperate attempt to assert the inalienable rights of men, but an incredible world where everyone has rights and powers, even the mothers.” (94). By using this inspiring example of what Boxer sees as an ideal movie to end off her article it encourages the audience to see that there is hope for