Maleficent Book Analysis

Behind each movie lie the meaningful aspects and significant features worth noticing. All movies and books can be carefully examined and interpreted. Thomas C. Foster’s How to Read Literature Like a Professor provides a new view on interpreting literature. In the novel, Foster identifies and analyzes common patterns, themes, and motifs found in literature, many of which are also present in Disney’s film, Maleficent. This movie showcases several of his ideas, including quests, flight, geography, and symbolism. These are only a few characteristics that shape the movie into an enjoyable and thought-provoking experience for the audience.
Foster notes that most stories and movies follow a pattern concerning quests (Foster 6). A character’s quest

In chapter 15, Foster mentions that flight can represent multiple attributes, including love, escape, and ultimately “flight is freedom” (Foster 128). The opening scenes of the film illustrate Maleficent and her wings. Maleficent’s ability to fly allows her to escape reality and soar through new realms. Not only are the wings represented as freedom, but they are also symbolic of strength and authority. She is considered the most powerful creature in her kingdom because of her large wings. Her wings resemble those of an eagle’s. The makers of this movie most likely used eagle wings to depict Maleficent’s strength and power. In addition, Foster states that a winged character “... plays on our notions of wings and flight to explore the situation’s ironic possibilities” (Foster 130). Her wings are cut off by King Stefan and are placed in a cage to protect his kingdom. Initially, Maleficent was presented as a lighthearted fairy. However, after this incident, she transforms into a malicious individual and is trapped in a world of darkness. This ironic event was included to provide background on Maleficent’s portrayal as an evil villain and her motive for

This film features massive thorns, tangled tree roots, landscapes of trees and waterfalls, and the mystical creatures that inhabit the land. Foster states that “...landscape and architecture and weather … merged as neatly with mood and tone to set a story in motion” (Foster 166). In the movie, the thorns and tangled roots immediately set a foreboding and gloomy tone. Foster mentions that geography not only includes physical surroundings, but also the people that live there (Foster 166). The creatures living in Maleficent’s kingdom resembled her imagination. In addition, geography in this film served to isolate Maleficent’s kingdom from King Stefan 's kingdom. The geographical separation adds tension to the plot by establishing the apparent enemies and hatred between one another. Foster also mentions that “Geography can also define or even develop character” (Foster 167). After Maleficent’s wings were removed, there were ominous skies, little sunlight, and few signs of life. These sudden changes in Maleficent 's kingdom reflect her dark and evil soul. Geography in stories doesn’t always pertain to just the setting; it can serve as a symbol to represent the character’s