Difference between revisions of "329--Week 2 Questions/Comments"
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I think this movie got a lot of things right, over-dramatized many events, and completely butchered the historical narrative of the John Smith era in Virginia. Somethings I feel that were accurately portrayed include the trip over on the high seas (although the rescue of a man overboard was for pure entertainment). I was shocked that the movie showed the gender division of labor, the reverence for ritual, and the legacy of native sports/ games rather accurately. The inclusion of the Grandmother Willow character shows a matriarchal society with a reverence for nature. I think the film correctly portrayed the English motivations and expectations about the new world, along with the attitudes towards the natives. Outside of those strengths the film makers completely abandoned the history of the relations between settlers and natives. Disney literally kept the historical names and then fabricated storylines and events. Historically, Kocoum and Pocahontas were not about to wed when the English arrived, Kocoum was not killed by Thomas, and the list goes on... I think what is most damaging about this movie is that it does not convey the relationship between settlers and natives well. John Smith made it sound like life was good in the colony and that the indians were helpful, peppered with seemingly random and baseless disputes. The relationship in the movie was immediatel cantankerous, with a neat and clean resolution.-- Jason Ward | I think this movie got a lot of things right, over-dramatized many events, and completely butchered the historical narrative of the John Smith era in Virginia. Somethings I feel that were accurately portrayed include the trip over on the high seas (although the rescue of a man overboard was for pure entertainment). I was shocked that the movie showed the gender division of labor, the reverence for ritual, and the legacy of native sports/ games rather accurately. The inclusion of the Grandmother Willow character shows a matriarchal society with a reverence for nature. I think the film correctly portrayed the English motivations and expectations about the new world, along with the attitudes towards the natives. Outside of those strengths the film makers completely abandoned the history of the relations between settlers and natives. Disney literally kept the historical names and then fabricated storylines and events. Historically, Kocoum and Pocahontas were not about to wed when the English arrived, Kocoum was not killed by Thomas, and the list goes on... I think what is most damaging about this movie is that it does not convey the relationship between settlers and natives well. John Smith made it sound like life was good in the colony and that the indians were helpful, peppered with seemingly random and baseless disputes. The relationship in the movie was immediatel cantankerous, with a neat and clean resolution.-- Jason Ward | ||
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| + | I agree with Jason in that I was surprised at Disney portraying the Natives' division in an accurate way. Though they emphasized the connection between the natives and nature, I wonder if perhaps the use of Mother Willow did more to patronize their beliefs? Also, was it me or did nearly all of the "extras" who were natives look almost exactly alike, whereas the English "extras" had more discernible differences? Is this another instance of Disney marginalizing a minority culture? -Bryan Mull | ||
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| + | Regarding the butchering of the account of Indian-English relations, what level responsibility does Disney have in presenting an accurate account of the historical relationship between Smith and Pocahontas? Also, is it possible that by framing the Jamestown settlement in a pseudo Romeo & Juliet manner, does that allow for a more accessible form of history for young viewers (Disney's target demographic)? Does the romantacizing of Smith and Pocahontas make history more accessible to youngsters in the same way that Washington and the cherry tree introduces children to a Founding Father? Lastly, where would Disney be without epic cliffs (Pride Rock from Lion King, Pocahontas' Diving ledge, etc.)? | ||
