''I think that if rape is inevitable, relax and enjoy it,” said Indiana University’s head basketball coach, Bobby Knight, in an insensitive reference during an interview regarding the ways he handles stress (Moran). Rape is an ongoing, global issue and is currently causing conflict within the United States. Disney called the rape culture to attention in their newest movie, Maleficent, starring Angelina Jolie. In the movie, Stefan and Maleficent were childhood lovers but they grew up in two conflicting kingdoms. Out of selfishness, Stefan cut off Maleficent’s wings so he could become the next king. Angelina Jolie and Disney producers use the unconsented detachment of Maleficent’s wings as a metaphor for sexual abuse by bringing the prevalence …show more content…
The tale of “Sleeping Beauty” is based on “Sun, Moon, and Talia” by the Grimm Brothers which is about a Great Lord’s daughter, Talia, who died after getting a splinter of flax stuck under her nail. The Lord didn't want to burry her so he placed her body in one of his houses in the woods. Later, a King passed by the house and found Talia dead so he decided to rape her (Watson). The Grimm Brothers directly brought the issue of rape to attention in “Sun, Moon, and Talia” which was later modified and revised into “Sleeping Beauty”. In “Sleeping Beauty”, the Prince kissed Aurora while she was in a comatose state. This seemed to be Walt Disney’s way to lighten the theme of rape in “Sun, Moon, and Talia”. In 2014, Disney came out with Maleficent, which shows the story of “Sleeping Beauty” through Maleficent’s point of view. Stefan and Maleficent loved each other as children and shared true loves kiss. As they grew older, he became selfish and put his personal desires over Maleficent’s wellbeing. Instead of killing her, Stefan cut off her wings, which …show more content…
Similar to Christopher, Maleficent let her abuse become her demise. She was driven by hostility towards Stefan but Aurora was the one who paid for her father’s mistakes. As Aurora grew older, Maleficent watched over her from afar. Lucky for Maleficent, the two finally became acquainted and she began to lose sight of her plan for vengeance by forming a maternal bond with Aurora. Unlike Christopher; however, Maleficent eventually overcame that animosity and resentment towards Stefan, which saved Aurora in the meantime. Angelina Jolie and Disney producers use the unconsented detachment of Maleficent’s wings as a metaphor for sexual abuse by bringing the prevalence of the rape culture into attention. In doing so, they give hope to those who are struggling to cope with their suffering by turning to other things that could potentially make their life worse. They show when something bad happens you can either let it define you, destroy you, or strengthen you. People choose varying ways of how they want to cope. Every victim of sexual abuse has a different mechanism of handling the abuse that they once