Animating the Victorians: Disney's Literary History

Walt Disney frequently adapted Victorian children’s literature, from Alice in Wonderland to Peter Pan. Literary scholar Patrick Fleming follows how works evolved from concept to franchise, examining how Disney’s writers engaged with original texts and historical contexts throughout long production cycles. Fleming also notes that Disney’s ties to the Victorians extend beyond adaptation: Walt Disney’s career parallels that of Dickens, and Disney’s princesses, musicals, theme parks, and marketing rely on Victorian cultural and legal frameworks.