EXTERNAL CONFLICTS AS REFLECTIONS OF FAMILY DISHARMONY IN DISNEY-PIXAR’S COCO

 Windy Angrelia Sari, Ana Mariana, Syarifin Anunu Maunty, Dahlia Husain

Abstract


This research discusses external conflicts reflecting family disharmony in Disney-Pixar’s Coco. The objective of this study is to analyze the external conflicts experienced by Miguel Rivera using William Patrick Kenney’s theory of conflict. This study applies a descriptive qualitative method and uses content analysis to interpret scenes, dialogues, and character interactions in the film. The results show that Miguel experiences person versus person, person versus society, and person versus nature conflicts throughout the story. Person versus person conflict is the dominant category, represented through Miguel’s direct confrontations with his grandmother and family members who forbid music because of painful family history. Person versus society conflict is reflected in Miguel’s struggle against the Rivera family’s collective anti-music tradition that has been maintained across generations. In addition, person versus nature conflict appears when Miguel enters the supernatural world of the dead after playing Ernesto De La Cruz’s guitar. These conflicts portray family disharmony caused by prohibition, emotional misunderstanding, inherited trauma, and lack of communication within the family. The study also reveals that conflict contributes to Miguel’s emotional growth and eventually leads to reconciliation and restored family harmony.

Keywords


external conflict, family disharmony, Coco, literary conflict, film study

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