Choice Assignment #3 Disney's got my eye

After searching for an analysis of the “Jungle Book” I realized that Walt Disney created some great classics with a very interesting lining to the message in the film. I decided to take a close look at some movies such as “The Little Mermaid”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Pocahontas”, and “Aladdin”. After going through these classics I decided to take a closer look at the women in these films. Ariel, Belle, Pocahontas, and Jasmine are a group of woman who seem to be searching for something more than what their family’s desire for them. Also the fact that each of these characters are searching for love outside of their families comfort zone shows that maybe Disney had a problem with mixing races.

One of the first references I make to these characters and how they feel in life is from Thomas Hine’s, “The Rise and Fall of the American Teenager”. Hine states, “Despite the mythology of youth as a revolutionary and utopian time, study suggests that teenagers’ principal preoccupation is to adapt, to find a place in life.” (Hine 2) When reading this statement it becomes clear that each of these female characters want to find something new than what they have been brought up in life. Ariel wishes to walk on land, Belle wishes to get out of her “provincial life”, Pocahontas is seeking to find something “just around the river bend”, and Jasmine wishes to find a “whole new world”. These female characters are looking for adventures beyond what their family values.

Not only are these female characters looking for adventure, but they are also finding out they are in love with men out of their reach. Hine states, “Teenagers occupy a special place in the society. They are envied and sold to, studied and deplored. They are expected to break some rules, but there are other restrictions that apply only to them. They are at a golden moment in life – and not to be trusted.” (Hine 10) Hine suggests that teenagers are confused and of course making mistakes is something they are going to do, however, they are not to be trusted with big decisions. Each of the families of these female characters seem to hold high expectations on marriage and find they are making mistakes with the men they are wanting to chose.

Ariel wishes to marry a man of the land. Prince Eric is the man Ariel longs to be with. Her father the King of the mer people finds this to be simply impossible and also find humans to be barbaric. Belle’s father wishes her to marry Gaston, a witty and horrible man with an egotistical character. Belle however, finds an interest in the Beast of her town. She sees a light in the beast and falls for him over time. Pocahontas is destined to marry to Kocoum. He is a man form her tribe that is able to build her a strong home and also able t take great care of her. Of course this is not settling to the young female who wants to see, just around the river bend. She falls for a lovely sailor John Smith that it from the American culture with his blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Last but not least Jasmine is searching for a whole new world other than the castle where she lives. She finds herself invested in love with a “street rat”, Aladdin. This is made clear throughout the film that Aladdin is not of the right match for Jasmine.

Not only does all of this suggest that their families have certain values and issues with their daughters making decisions but it also suggests that with Disney there is an issue with mixing races. Ariel the mermaid in love with a human? Belle the young beauty in love with a beast? Pocahontas the Native American in love with a true American man? Jasmine the Middle Eastern princess in love with a street rat? None of these seem to add up to the true essence of love that we see in “Cinderella” and “Sleeping Beauty” where both female characters find a love of similar race.

After reviewing these films many questions are being raised as to family values and marriage. Each of these female characters are seen as teenage characters. Each faced with many different obstacles and yet each still finds a happy ending to their story. Disney must always create that happy ending due to its audience. However, what happens when obstacles like these are being raised in real life. When the mixing of races come into play with love, or when teenagers want to find more than what their family has to offer. Many ideas and views collide causing such a shamble of losing one’s family support and more. I wonder if Disney knew what he was creating when putting for these great classics.