It’s a scene engraved into the western world’s collective memory: a pigtailed girl in red slippers, skipping along a yellow brick road with a scarecrow, a tin man, and a lion. This image, from the book “The Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum and the 1939 film of the same name, represents the epic of the modern age. Whereas in ancient times, we had Gilgamesh or King Arthur as our gallant hero, now we have a little girl from a farm in Kansas. At first glance, this simple story of a young girl lost in a magic land could not compete with the great tales of old. However, this epic shares more than a few similarities with this seemingly childish
However, Cinderella successfully overcomes this psychological element through the usage of genre conventions. The “uncanny truth” of living authentically is exemplified through the rewards of Cinderella's lifestyle and the punishments of her sisters, yet audiences are
Lazarus explained her feelings toward Disney movies, “I hoped Disney had grown weary of reinforcing women’s subordinate status by screening fables about a beauty who tames an angry man or a mermaid who gives up her glorious voice and splits her body to be with a prince.” By reading this article it was easy to see the different point of view she had. The point of view we were given by reading Lazarus’s article was Disney was typical, they used old fashioned stories to make hidden messages. Lazarus showed her opinion of that with, “But entranced by ‘Disney magic,’ they (Disney) and millions of other children were given hidden messages that can only do them-and
In Peggy Orenstein’s book, she effectively argues that a princess-like society immersed in America's culture is damaging to young girls through her interviews, evidence, personal experience, and humorous tone. Starting towards the beginning of her book, Orenstein exposes to the audience that she too liked Disney. She says that "God knows I was a Disney kid. I still have my bona fide mouse ears" (Orenstein 13). By doing this, Orenstein conveys her knowledge of the two sides of her argument: Disney is damaging to young kids or vice versa.
The classic fairy tales are a great hit at these ages since children begin to identify with a heroic character and love the deeds of the hero which offers guidance to society’s moral code. (Goldberg, 1974) Young audiences want a challenge to think and feel on a deeper level. This becomes especially true with children between the ages of 7 to 10. Whereas
Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I am Albert George McGuire, Captain of the first Australian infantry battalion. On the 25th April 1915, we arrived in the port of Dardanelles. Part of the D squadron, we sailed up to the shore.
As perfectly displayed through Lee Hall’s article “The Story Disney Dared Not Tell”, Disney has resorted to altering ancient myths based off of overconfidence and arrogance, hence, causing controversy in society. For instance, through its hubris, Disney believes it is able to improve Greek mythology while anticipating commercial success. Although Disney’s anticipation is not place incorrectly, the price for commercial success is payed through the arising controversy established from this action. For example, Disney believes its products have admiration from most of society, therefore, it has decided to alter the Greek myth “Hercules” to fits its vision. In doing so, controversy has arised causing the public to believe the Disney version of
Society is an ever evolving element of life, and as society has changed over the years, so has works by authors and directors. As authors and directors gain influence from inspiring sources, they are also gaining influences from the surrounding culture and the time period that they are living in. This may even be subconsciously. New historicism is the theory that explains this and specifically focuses on just how the time period of a work changes and shows how an author's experiences come to life through a work. In Walt Disney’s, Cinderella, the time period glamorizes Cinderella’s journey to happiness while the Grimm Brothers version connects more with reality, teaching that media evolves to what society wants to see.
In 1812, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published the original written version of Rapunzel in Children’s and Household Tales. Similar stories had been written before this, however the Grimm Brothers provided the story that today’s readers know and love. Over the years, the story has become various other types of literature, including a Disney movie, known as Tangled. By examining the original version from 1812 and the movie from 2010, many similarities can be drawn, but it is also clear that culture, time
Nonetheless, in reality Andrea Dworkin’s article addresses the issue of the past as how new fairy tales have come out over the years. The thing about fairy tales is that they are always going to be around. It can be the most boring fairy tale ever but it will always keep circling around because its a tradition that won’t die. When a child goes to sleep the parents try to make them fall asleep by telling them a story; the story they going to are the same ones they were told as kids. For example, in the article it states Rapunzel’s story, “Mama didn’t think twice - she traded.
During the time of a Great War or great economic despair, people seek release from their anxieties in fantasy. Movies, plays, books, and other diversions drew people out of their own lives and into a safer, more glamorous world. For instance, Horatio Alger, Frank Capra and Walt Disney were known to showcase positive, idealized, and overly optimistic pictures—fairytales, some argue—that moved and inspired audiences, hence the prominence of the traditional, fairytale genre. And a trademark of this genre is having a feel good, happy ending. This appeals to mostly children and some adults, but it does not attract everyone, for some storytellers have separated themselves and have purposefully gone against this genre of storytelling by taking the controversial “anti-fairytale” approach, ending stories with a downbeat,
Justyna Deszcz wrote an article based on Zipes’ political and socio-historical approach and added a variety of facts she had collected from many other authors and articles. Deszcz believes that the reason we have shifted into the submissive and “family-friendly” theme of fairy tales is because “the fairytale has been reduced to a mass-produced commodity, to be purchased and owned, and to bring in considerable profit. What is more, the fairytale is being used as a source and a vehicle of powerful self-mirroring images affirming the existing value system, and thus lulling audiences into passivity and compliance.” This point proves that the original thought of harsh realities needing to be exposed in story telling has converted to just being a profitable way to tell simple-minded children’s
Since Disney’s movies are directed to kid audiences, should we let our children watch classic Disney movies? Fairy tales used to have the purpose of having a significant impact on other people. We could pretend that Disney’s fairy tales are charming and lovely but there is not a clear message that teaches us something useful for our lives. What’s the purpose of teaching us to follow our dreams if a patriarchal ideology is being represented in many scenes.
Thus, interest in children 's books was growing and fairytales turned into children tales which were carrying moral concern. Along with the 20th century, Walt Disney has changed the concepts of its tales. They were no longer carrying any social message and it put children in a total dream world. At first sight, many Disney tales look innocent but they fundamentally have strong images hidden. For example, Disney draws a female figure that is dependent, which unknowingly cause gender stereotype in society.
Introduction Throughout the 20th century and even today, Disney has been a major part of children’s youth. When children are young, they can be taught anything and they learn it very quickly. In our society, young children learn the religion when they are so young. When the child watches a Disney cartoon or movie they tend to imagine what would it be like to have the life shown in Disney. Disney creates an imaginative land in the minds of the children that the can do whatever, and be whatever they want, they are only limited by their imagination.
