The Idea of Nature in Disney AnimationGiven that Disney's animated films are an important part of many children's viewing experience worldwide, the messages movies such as Bambi, The Jungle Book, Pocahontas, and Beauty and the Beast convey about the natural world are of crucial importance, and never more so than today. David Whitley's compelling study examines a range of Disney's feature animations, from Snow White to Finding Nemo, in which images of wild nature are a central aspect of the narrative. Whitley challenges the notion that the sentimentality of the Disney aesthetic prevents audiences from developing a critical awareness of contested environmental issues. Rather, he argues, even as the films communicate the central ideologies of the times in which they were produced, they also express the ambiguities and tensions that underlie these dominant values. Differentiating among the effects produced by particular films, therefore, produces a more complex understanding of the classic Disney canon.Whitley's exploration of the way images of nature are mediated in Disney animation produces greater understanding of the role popular art may play in shaping feelings and ideas that are central to contemporary experience. |
Contents
Snow White and Fairy Tale Adaptation | 19 |
Healing the Rift Human and Animal Nature in The Little Mermaid | 39 |
Bambi and the Idea of Conservation | 61 |
Conflicts and Contested Values | 79 |
Nature and the Politics of Identity | 99 |
Common terms and phrases
aesthetic American animated features animated films appear argued Ariel associated audiences Bagheera Baloo Bambi banana Beast become behaviour Belle's Brother Bear central Cinderella comedy comic contemporary context creatures culture cyborg depicted developed Directed dirt Disney animation Disney's film Disney's Jungle Book distinctive domestic dwarves ecological effect embodied emotional engagement environmental experience explore fairy tale fantasy feeling figure film's Finding Nemo fire fish focus forest forms genre gestures heroine human ibid ideal ideas imagery imaginative Indian innocent instance interactions Jungle Book Kipling's landscape Lion King Little Mermaid London Mermaid movement Mowgli narrative natural environment natural world offered particular pastoral mode perceived perhaps Pixar plot Pocahontas potential Powhatan protagonists realistic realm relationship ritual role scene sense sentimental sequence significance Sleeping Beauty Snow White social song space species story suggests Tarzan theme traditional values viewers wild nature wilderness Wolfgang Reitherman Yosemite young