Social Discrimination in Suzanne Francis's Zootopia: The Junior Novelization

Abstract

This study examines the representation of social discrimination in Zootopia: The Junior Novelization (2016) using Stuart Hall’s theory and influenced by Michel Foucault, mainly focusing on discourse and power relation. The objectives of this study are to identify the forms of social discrimination experienced by the characters, especially the main character, and to analyze how power relations construct and maintain discriminatory practices throughout the novel. This research employs a qualitative descriptive method with a textual analysis approach. The primary data consist of dialogues and events selected from the novel. The findings reveal that social discrimination is represented through physical appearances and social prejudice. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that power operates not merely through authority but also through discourse that normalizes discrimination and shapes social expectations regarding physical appearances. Despite these obstacles, the protagonist resists dominant discourses by challenging institutional norms and proving her competence. This study concludes that Zootopia presents social discrimination as a socially constructed phenomenon maintained through discourse while simultaneously promoting equality and resistance against discriminatory structures.