Aladdin Central Messageboard

[Sadira]

I read an online essay , that complains about roles of cartoon women in disney films. The writer says that Nala and the other lionesses should have been able to over throw Scar. The writer says it makes them look weak and foolish because they couldn`t fight without Simba. It seems like they couldn`t save the kingdom , without the help of a male leader. She also complains about Jasmine being treated like an object that the male characters fight over. What do you think ?
_________________
"I`m not like other people.I can`t stand pain. It hurts me."- Daffy duck

[Syera]

Well, lessa-see...

In Jasmine's case, consider the time period she lived in. Women pretty much were considered objects. Nyah.

In The Lion King, who was the main character? Simba or Nala? 'Nuff said.

Now, if you want to really nitpick what's sexist, consider this: As a general rule, male heroes are pitted against male villains, and female heroes against female villains. If, on the off chance that they are male/female and the female is fairly attractive, there WILL be sexual tensions.

Janette says: "And who killed Ursula? A man cannot kill a woman until she turns into a large and hideous monster. Of course, Ursula always was a large and hideous monster..."

And speaking of female villains, why must female villains be seductresses 98% of the time? Now THAT'S sexist.

For me, I get really disgusted when I see SuperFemisnist!Girl in a time/place that doesn't call for it. What's wrong with a girl behaving in a manner that's more consistant with her time/place? I don't mean that she would have to be totally subservient to the entire male race, but at the same time, doesn't act like a total wild-child.

I think I'm going to have to make a list of characters and why I like/don't like about them so I can explain myself better...
_________________

Weblog | SH.net | Ed-sprite by Janette

[AladdinsGenie]

[Syera]

No foolin'. If you want to make a valid arguement, then you should use an example where the arguement is valid!

I mean, fer pete's sakes, like Nala's going to defeat Scar when Simba is the hero of the story? Sheesh...
_________________

Weblog | SH.net | Ed-sprite by Janette

[Sadira]

It was silly of the writer to use stories , which contain males as the main characters. I think she was really saying that she believes Disney women are just happy homemakers. Some of the girls from the old school Disney films are like that. I don`t know why she includes the modern girls. When they are so much better. Her arguments were all pretty weak. I can post the article on the board, if anyone wants to read it. It was pretty funny. She also complains about Mulan having a love interest. Anyway, I think Mulan is the only girl who fights a male villian, but I could be wrong. There is no attraction , unlike the whole Jasmine and Jafar thing.
_________________
"I`m not like other people.I can`t stand pain. It hurts me."- Daffy duck

[Husse]

That writer is a dumb silly-head.

I actually think, as of recent, Disney has overemphasized women, making every other one some sort of powerhouse girl-power roaring critter. Like Megara? Ick. I can't imagine this "hipster" Rapunzel.
_________________
You can never have too much Baklava.

NO YOU CAN'T!

YES I CAAAAAAAAAAAN!

[Syera]

And is there anything wrong with a woman being a home-maker? It really disgusts me how some people put women down who actually want to rasie a family.

I personally believe that we wouldn't have so many delinquents in today's society if their mothers were actually there to raise them, as opposed to holding their own job. I mean, it's kind of hard to be there to influence your child on a better path when you're out working. Not to mention that the child isn't getting the parental attention that he/she needs.

...And that's my point of view.
_________________

Weblog | SH.net | Ed-sprite by Janette

[Husse]

Same. Here. Rock on, girl!

And wow, that also sounded exactly like Helen's speech in The Incredibles cut opening.
_________________
You can never have too much Baklava.

NO YOU CAN'T!

YES I CAAAAAAAAAAAN!

[AladdinsGenie]

[Husse]

I lurve that movie!

Along with everyone else in America and several other countries...
_________________
You can never have too much Baklava.

NO YOU CAN'T!

YES I CAAAAAAAAAAAN!

[Syera]

I LOVE The Incredibles. Pixar did such a marvelous job! The personalities of the characters were just great - they were more like real people with superpowers, as opposed to comic-book heroes with superpowers. (Who are usually waaaay over-the-top tortured souls...)
_________________

Weblog | SH.net | Ed-sprite by Janette

[Nez]

I love the works of Brad Bird. I've watched "Iron Giant" every time it's on.
_________________

[Meesh]

[xfkirsten]

I don't see Disney as "anti-feminist" at all. I'm all for being an empowered woman (hell, I'm in a job where I do heavy, mechanical labor) but there's nothing "anti-feminist" about a guy saving the day. First of all, let's face it - men are generally physically stronger than most women. That's just a fact of nature. It stands to reason that there are some fighting situations that a woman would struggle with, and a man wouldn't struggle as much.

As for the comment about Nala and the lionesses, I don't think it was so much that they couldn't overthrow Scar, it was just that the situation they were all in and the loss that they'd suffered was demoralizing. Once Simba returned, they were given hope that gave them the strength to fight back. I don't think it had anything to do with gender.

And Jasmine WAS being treated as an object by some of the men (like Achmed) which was the point. When Aladdin came along, she found someone who loved her for who she was. The fact of the matter is, cultural outlooks were different back then, and I can't stand it when a work is criticized for portraying history as it was (more or less). *coughHuckFinncough*
_________________
I don't need intelligent drugs, because I don't know what they are. But I will put anything into my mouth that is given to me, whether it's supposed to go there or not. Because... I'm different.

[Syera]