Daisy and gender: The evolving gender representation of Daisy Duck

Although Mickey Mouse has remained a figurehead of The Walt Disney Company since the release of Steamboat Willie in 1928, there has been a distinct gap in literature surrounding Mickey Mouse’s and Donald Duck’s supporting characters, especially concerning Daisy Duck. This article analyses the appearances of Daisy Duck chronologically since her first appearance in 1937, contrasting her gendered portrayals shown through stereotypes and adherence to waves of feminism with the depictions of Minnie Mouse’s traditional femininity. Depictions of Daisy Duck show how, whereas initially Daisy was depicted with what were considered negative stereotypes of women, and despite the inconsistent image of her femininity, she followed successive waves of feminism as she starred in Disney cartoons, films and television shows as both a main and a supporting character. This trend reveals Daisy’s deeper significance to the Mickey Mouse cast whose femininity was purposefully designed to act not only as a flexible foil for other characters, but also as the member of the cast who has seen her femininity develop the most.