Pocahontas

Growing up, I was never a fan of Pocahontas. According to my mom, I watched it a handful of times over my childhood with very little interest. I remembered the basic plot, but not many details or supporting characters. I really love Pocahontas’s wild spirit. She embodied the idea of a free-thinking woman. That aspect of the film is really important for girls viewing it. I also love that she is one with the earth and is able to stay true to that moral. She showed John that the earth is an important place that is meant to be sacred (through song).

Racism is a big problem in the film. The main issue is the way in which Native Americans are spoken about by the English. In the first few minutes of the movie, a settler on the ship referred to them as ‘Indians’, which is an incorrect term to describe them by. The English also referred to the natives as ‘Savages’ many times, which is both a stereotype and generalization. Governor Radcliffe has an entire song dedicated to the ‘savages’ and why the settlers need to eradicate them. English supremacy is rampant in the film. The English settlers, even kind John Snow, believe that the Natives need to be civilized and their land needs to be changed. It does not matter that the Native Americans do not want to be changed, the settlers believe their way is the best. 

Governor Radcliffe’s villainy is characterized by his femininity. Governor Radcliffe wears a pink suit with high heeled boots and carries around a small dog. He also has long pigtails with bows. This is contrasted by ultra-masculine John Smith who is the protagonist. During Governor Radcliffe’s first song, he walks down the stairs in a gold suit of glitter (reminded me of an extravagant Broadway performance); Additionally, as he walks down the steps women kiss his hand, which also bends the gender stereotype that he should be kissing theirs (as he is the man). Thus furthering his lack of masculinity. Also, when Governor Radcliffe was getting ready for war, his outfit changed from the feminine pink to a black suit of armor; Again, associating evil with darkness.

I drew several parallels to other Disney movies from the characters in Pocahontas.  “Mother Nature”, the talking tree, reminded me of the grandmother from Mulan. She, like Mulan’s grandmother ,liked the men that the women were pursuing. They also both possess both humor and wisdom. Pocahontas resembled Cinderella in the way that she talks to animals, but completely contrasts Cinderella personality-wise. Pocahontas is similar to Jasmine in that both of their fathers are trying marry them off without the girls’ approval.

Pocahontas is my least favorite movie thus far. I thought it was boring, I did not find the relationship between John and Pocahontas to have the connection that Aladdin and Jasmine had. I also did not like the songs in the movie; Many of them were ballads/not upbeat songs. I also did not like the ending; I felt that she stayed not because she wanted to but because she thought it would be best for her father’s people.