Pocahontas Stereotypes
Written Task 2 Outline
Language and Literature Course
?How and why is social group represented in a particular way?? The animated Disney film Pocahontas, poorly and unfairly portrays Native Americans as savage and uncivilized people. Throughout the film it uses stereotypical Native American cultural references such as ?war dances?. This essay will clarify and analyze how Native Americans were unfairly represented throughout the film and in popular culture.
Both Chief Powhatan and Kekata present the most racial stereotypes. Therefore the explanation of these stereotypes will be easier to identify.
Pocahontas, an unconventional Disney Princess, has raised awareness of Indigenous people in a bad light. Since her clothing and actions present …show more content…
Generalizing Native Americans in this film had its consequences. Due to the wide spectrum of tribes throughout North America, it was necessary to use common stereotypes to help audiences understand a minority culture foreign to them.
Ignoring the cultural aspects of the Powhatan tribe, along with oversimplifying the true story of Pocahontas. Disney filmmakers had to used established stereotypical characteristics. From popular, well-known media such as The Lone Ranger?s sidekick, Tonto. Similarities between Tonto and Chief Powhatan are extremely coherent. Both men were intentionally made to be shown as inferior in both physically and mentally as possible (Barco). In the opening sequence of the film, the tribe gathers together in order to listen to Chief Powhatan.
He is seen wearing war paint, a traditional headdress, and other such stereotypical Native American characteristics. Including his deep, calm, majestic voice that?s most associate with older, male Natives (Mihesuah). Chief Powhatan is seen as wise and united with nature, but not civilized. He is still associated as a savage Indian preventing the colonists from finding their gold, leaving young audiences in awe to Chief Powhatan?s stoic and barbaric presence throughout the film …show more content…
Independent and adventurous, she seems like the perfect role model for young girls. Although her overall character design completely missed its young Indigenous audience, she is now increasing awareness for stereotypes (Bodenner). Throughout the film she is seen wearing an extremely short and exposed buckskin dress. Misleading audiences throughout the world believing that all Native women wear such inappropriate clothing (Pulver). In contrast to the other female characters who wear dresses that are conservative and appropriate for the time, it makes Pocahontas appear extremely scandalous. Although Disney animators tried to keep some of the traditional clothing a Powhatan woman would have worn. It was needed to make Pocahontas stand out since she was the main protagonist of the entire
Language and Literature Course
?How and why is social group represented in a particular way?? The animated Disney film Pocahontas, poorly and unfairly portrays Native Americans as savage and uncivilized people. Throughout the film it uses stereotypical Native American cultural references such as ?war dances?. This essay will clarify and analyze how Native Americans were unfairly represented throughout the film and in popular culture.
Both Chief Powhatan and Kekata present the most racial stereotypes. Therefore the explanation of these stereotypes will be easier to identify.
Pocahontas, an unconventional Disney Princess, has raised awareness of Indigenous people in a bad light. Since her clothing and actions present …show more content…
Generalizing Native Americans in this film had its consequences. Due to the wide spectrum of tribes throughout North America, it was necessary to use common stereotypes to help audiences understand a minority culture foreign to them.
Ignoring the cultural aspects of the Powhatan tribe, along with oversimplifying the true story of Pocahontas. Disney filmmakers had to used established stereotypical characteristics. From popular, well-known media such as The Lone Ranger?s sidekick, Tonto. Similarities between Tonto and Chief Powhatan are extremely coherent. Both men were intentionally made to be shown as inferior in both physically and mentally as possible (Barco). In the opening sequence of the film, the tribe gathers together in order to listen to Chief Powhatan.
He is seen wearing war paint, a traditional headdress, and other such stereotypical Native American characteristics. Including his deep, calm, majestic voice that?s most associate with older, male Natives (Mihesuah). Chief Powhatan is seen as wise and united with nature, but not civilized. He is still associated as a savage Indian preventing the colonists from finding their gold, leaving young audiences in awe to Chief Powhatan?s stoic and barbaric presence throughout the film …show more content…
Independent and adventurous, she seems like the perfect role model for young girls. Although her overall character design completely missed its young Indigenous audience, she is now increasing awareness for stereotypes (Bodenner). Throughout the film she is seen wearing an extremely short and exposed buckskin dress. Misleading audiences throughout the world believing that all Native women wear such inappropriate clothing (Pulver). In contrast to the other female characters who wear dresses that are conservative and appropriate for the time, it makes Pocahontas appear extremely scandalous. Although Disney animators tried to keep some of the traditional clothing a Powhatan woman would have worn. It was needed to make Pocahontas stand out since she was the main protagonist of the entire