This film presents a story about an orphaned baby
boy, Tarzan, who is discovered and rescued by a female gorilla, Kala. The story
takes place in Africa amongst a jungle setting focusing mainly on the gorillas
and other animal’s lifestyle. This made it difficult to analyze for racism
being as animal dynamics are far different that human dynamics. The main
message that comes across in the family dynamics of the gorilla’s relationship
towards Tarzan was the rejection of Tarzan being someone “different”. Tarzan’s
position can be portrayed as a situation someone in a minority group may struggle
with.
When the humans, Jane, Professor Porter, and Clayton
come into the jungle and new problem comes about in the form of separation. Now
let’s remember this is a film about animal and human interaction; there will
always be boundaries. Some people may say that the fact that the gorillas want
nothing to do with the humans and avoid them is a form of segregation; however I
don’t see it that way. I simply see it as humans being something foreign and
scary to the gorillas so they want to maintain a distance. And in the end they
learn to accept the humans anyways. This article: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1374/is_5_59/ai_55722257/
speaks about how there are no
African Americans in this film, yet it is set in Africa; and according to Bertram Rothschild
the
gorillas take the place of African Americans in this film. Rothschild writes
about the caging of the gorillas and how that symbolizes the capture of African
Americans for slavery; which is a reasonable observation. I view this film a
little less intentional than that. Capturing of gorillas is a realistic
scenario, and the only reason why the gorillas speak and have humanistic
actions is because it’s an animated Disney film. Everyone has their own
perception and views on this matter; I just disagree with Rothschild’s view.
Jane is an interesting character in this film because when she makes her first appearance she embodies and proper English woman who is unsuited for the jungle. And the males are leading the group while she struggles behind them which is a sexist undertone.
Yet she learns the ways of the jungle life and he
shows her the beauty of the jungle which in the end shifts her towards becoming
less of a stereotypical proper woman. Her personality changes as she learns
more, and she ends up staying in the jungle with Tarzan because it makes her
happy.
The struggle Tarzan has trying to find his identity
once the humans enter the jungle becomes the main focus. He takes time learning
through pictures how humans act and the human cultures; and he starts to mimic
them. This is showing him trying to change and fit in with people like him and
he starts to lose the values and traits of being a “gorilla”. Ultimately Tarzan
is faced with the decision to choose one or the other, he finds a compromise
with maintaining the things he has learned from Jane and the professor while
remaining in the jungle with his gorilla pack. Parts of this struggle can be perceived
as Jane and the professor trying to erase Tarzans “culture” to have him become
a human and be where he belongs. Even as a child I picked up on that from
watching this movie.
Along with his struggle of finding his identity his adoptive
mother, Kala, tries to instill a very important message when she discovers him looking
at himself in the water and hitting his reflection, then covering himself in
mud. Tarzan says “Why am I so different?” Kala responds “Look at me, and do you
know what I see? Two eyes, two ears, a nose and two hands…”
This is the
most important part of the movie to me, and it focuses on these important messages
for most of the movie. What I think children take away from this film, is humor
with the funny characters, male dominance with Kerchak, cultural differences
and the struggle between them, and an overall lesson of learning to find
yourself; whether it be Jane discovering she is happy with Tarzan in the
jungle, or Tarzan finding that he is happy being a human in a gorillas world. When
my sister and I watched this movie when we were younger, we loved the scenes
with Kala and Tarzan and still to this day those are our favorite parts. I hope
most children look past the racial and sexist undertones and take away the
message the film presents with being loved for who you are no matter how
different you may be.
Very nice critique. You bring up the main issues regarding racism and sexism in the film. I agree that the most touching moments are with Kala and Tarzan. Good use of graphics. Missing original film release date.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed your critique. This was one of my (now 16) son's favorite movies. I always enjoyed the music in all the Disney movies and never considered the undertones of sterotypical messaging. I think like many parents before learning about "white privilage" I would have said "It is just a movie - stop overthinking". I know now that is a simplistic view of life. You might say that I, like Jane, am changing after learning more about the value of cultural awareness.
ReplyDeleteMy family and I also like this movie. We like the music and the story line. However, now that I'm aware of the sterotypical implications and the racism that takes place its hard to enjoy the movie like I used to. Thanks for the great film critque.
ReplyDeleteI love this movie. I watched it with my family and we really enjoyed it. I think that this is a good movie because we see some racism here, but there are also people who do not really care about cultural differences and just accept everyone the way they are. I think that this is an interesting a good movie for our kids because we should tell them to figure out who in this movie we should look up to the most. Amazing film critique. Good job.
ReplyDeleteI love this movie as well. I do see that they are using racism even if it is a gorilla. Trying to find acceptance into any culture is hard.
ReplyDelete