An Analysis Of A Disney Movie

My favorite children’s fairy tale is Aladdin (Disney version). The title character Aladdin, is the main character and his female counter part Princess Jasmine is the main/only female character. She’s a feisty 16 year old Arab Princess, lacking worldly experience with no evidence of ever having any real contact or relationship with anyone other than her father. She’s stubborn. Princess Jasmine, is the drive behind the story, Aladdin sees her one day out on the street, saves her and falls in love with her.

Her physical appearance is that of a matured woman, wearing a half-top- showing much shoulder and exposing her entire mid-section accompanied by traditional harem pants. She has long dark hair and although she has a darker complexion compared to some other Disney Princesses, she has fairer skin than her male counter parts.

She represents a feminine stereotype for sure! She is living under the protection of her father, who is seemingly her only relative. A big factor with Princess Jasmine’s character is that she constantly feels over protected and smothered by all the men in her life; all of whom do not feel she is capable of making her own decisions. Her being a princess masked the fact that she was oppressed.  She has reasonable desires, but because she lives in a male-dominated world, she has limited freedom.

Aladdin’s character is stereotypical; a young, 18 year old, fresh faced man with a toned body, olive skin and dark hair (tall, dark, handsome). He’s poor but has enough smarts, wit and luck to survive the streets and gain access to a genie who will grant his every wish. Other than being a thief, he has strong character qualities, enough to win over Princess Jasmine. Other than lying he has admirable character qualities that in the end, out weigh the limitations society has placed on him.

As a child, I didn’t read too much into the personal struggles the characters had to face; it was more about the princess being beautiful and how, much to her chagrin, the world revolved around her. She was the princess, I thought she lived the perfect life; I couldn’t see beyond the now risqué outfit, long flowing hair, and heavenly singing voice. Now, as an adult, I see her struggles and desires-longing for self-discovery, self-ownership and interaction with a world she has been cut-off from. She had very real human desires.

Aladdin had struggles as well, but slightly different than those of Princess Jasmine. Aladdin lived within the limits of society at large; he had to overcome inequality, limited access to formal education and the stigma of being on the streets. However, he showed strong mental and emotional strength; his decisions were often opposed to his societal constraints and as a man, he showed he had the freedom to pursue a different outcome in life. He had much more proactive approach the Princess Jasmine.