Aladdin

Instructions: So at the beginning of class Thursday in small talk it was mentioned that there was a claim that Aladdin (from the Disney cartoon) became lighter skinned and therefore 'whiter' throughout the movie as he became more prosperous. This is not in fact true. It's a hoax that floated about the internet. I checked.

But, there are in fact serious questions raised in regard to stereotypes about race, gender, religion, and social class in that film. So you are welcome to use Aladdin for your Lab 4 so long as you discuss one or more examples of those things and show evidence for or against those concerns in the film.

Have a great weekend!

Aladdin

Aladdin is a Disney movie with children being the audience in mind. It represents a few idea that are amazing. At the beginning, it introduces the idea of being fooled by the outside appearance, and like many things it is not what is on the outside, it is inside that counts. It goes on about how people are more than what they seem. This is something that is a great message right? However, throughout this movie it displayed many versions of stereotypes and views of gender and social class. Which I fill kind of contradicts the whole idea of its not about what’s on the outside, it’s the inside that counts.

Aladdin starts out being a street rat that is chased by guards because he had stolen some bread. Which might I bring out stereotyped that if you are the main character of the movie you get away with everything. Abu, Aladdin’s monkey, pulled out a sword and it scared off twenty armed guards. Shortly after, Aladdin easily got away. Since the guards are chasing Aladdin they are not very smart, but when it’s convenient with the story line then all of suddenly they catch Aladdin their first try.

Aladdin is said to be this Diamond in the rough. However, when he had wished to be a prince all the genie had to do was change his outfit, give him a sweet ride, and throw a parade that displayed Aladdin to be ideally what you would think of a charming prince. He was super strong, had “beautiful women” feathering him, had lots of gold, and had the illusion that he did some brave things. Everything that would be desired in a prince, he gave off the illusion that he had that. And to top that all off, when Jafar removed him from being prince all he had to do was change Aladdin’s outfit to be his old “street rat” clothing. Instantly, he was no longer a prince and could no longer marry princess Jasmine because he wasn’t wearing prince clothes?! What happened to the idea that its all on the inside! Anyways, spoiler alert, he did get to marry Jasmine but it wasn’t framed around the idea that he was the same person with or without his outer appearance, the king just wanted to see his daughter happy.

Speaking of princess Jasmine, why is she walking around in a bra? This movie portrays that a beautiful and desirable women dresses in a fashion that has a sexual appeal to it, her cleavage is revealed just right, her shoulders are completely bare, and her stomach is completely bare. She also gives off the ideal bodily image for a women is flat stomach, perky breast, long hair, big eyelashes, flawless makeup, big jewelry, and pants that make your hips look wider. The other female characters in this movie that are

considered less beautiful are wearing clothes that merely cover everything other than some hair, their face, and hands. You see these women housekeeping, doing laundry, and picking up money off the ground. You see the male characters selling food in the market, doing dangerous tricks, and having high commanding positions (example: Sultan, Prince, and Guards).

Another thing to add to the list of stereotypes and typical movie plot-twists is the villain. Why is the villain always the second in command or the commands closest advisor? And why is the villain’s partner, or minion, always a character that is crippled in a way that they need to depend on their master? Anyways, this movie portrays each of these stereotypes, Jafar, the Sultan’s most trusted advisor, plays the villain in this movie. His partner is a parrot, being an pet it depends on its master to survive. I love how on most child movies, once a character is labeled the ‘bad guy’ for the rest of the movie they can only do bad guy things. They completely ignore that there is always two sides to the story, and stereotype him to be someone who is just evil and nothing but.

This might just be a personal idea, but I thought it was extremely cheesy how Aladdin and Jasmine only go on one date and they are in love and engaged to be married. This portrays the stereotype that princesses and princes always find there ‘soul mate’ and fall in love and live happily ever after. It goes on this idea that finding your soul mate becomes the most important thing out there, and if you wait long enough your prince will come. But this might just be a personal perspective.

Why is there a Beauty and the beast Character in the tower of animals? I don’t really understand that. It could just be Disney marketing, or they are saying the Beast is classified to an animal. Either way just thought I would point it out, I’ve wondered this for a while. I think it’s really funny how the guy in charge of Agrabra just plays with toys while Jafar does everything.

I didn’t have any question on race other than what was pointed out in class about how they made Aladdin appear to be lighter skinned when he was prince, compared to when he was a street rat. However, later it was discovered to be hoax.