Pocahontas is a Disney animated feature that follows the story of a Native American Motoaka. She is the daughter of the Powhatan Confederacy chief in the early 17th century. It is the 33rd film in the Walt Disney Animated Classic series following known hits like Beauty and the Beast, Alladin and The Lion King. It was released in theaters in 1995 and is the first film based on a known historical character. However, it did not follow the actual historical account of the Native American’s encounter with the British settler John Smith who had sailed in search of gold in the “New World.”
Plot
The story sees the arrival of a ship of British settlers from the Virginia Company in the New World. The voyage is led by Radcliff, a greedy governor who is in search of gold to assure him of status in the British Court. On board is Captain John Smith who personifies the white noble man who is in search of adventure. He is young, good looking and brave. He is a selfless individual who will risk his life to save another.
Pocahontas is the daughter of the Chief of the Powhatan Tribe. Being of age, her thoughts are on the dreary possibility of marriage to the bravest of warrior that she does not love. She is depicted as adventurous, free spirited individual who constantly communes with a spiritual talking tree named Grandmother Willow. As she struggles with life’s choices she is still left clueless about the path that she ought to take.
As soon as they arrive, the Englishmen quickly made their claim to land and Radcliff named it Jamestown. As was his ulterior motive is to be rich, his activities were centered on finding the gold. He had no care about the environment or to the people living in the area.
The discovery of each others’ world created an initial fascination that blossomed into a love affair between Pocahontas and John Smith. Naturally, Pocahontas’ friends do not agree that this is allowed or should continue. As their relationship was discovered, it created a spark that made both factions declare hostilities against each other.
As they stand in the precipice of war, Pocahontas persuades them to believe that man, although different, should strive towards understanding and learning from one another. She convinced them that there is innate goodness and this should always be the starting point of one’s discernment of another.
Critique
On Sexism and Feminism
The initial reaction is the account that Pocahontas’ physical attributes alludes to men’s sexist representation of women. She is more of a ramp model than a Native American woman who had to deal with tribal and economic responsibilities. She is seen as free-spirited and communal with the environment but she still has no voice in the affairs of the tribe or her emotions. Although she is the daughter of the Chief, Pocahontas would still need to abide by what is expected of her as a woman. This denotes a gender bias that individuals learn throughout their lives. As they perform these expectations, they unknowingly maintain the gender stratification .
Contrary to popular belief, however, Native American tribes are matrilineal and most Native American women would deny the reality of oppression and non-participation . Indian women were depicted to be inferior to the men to serve a white-man’s purpose. They do not need to be liberated because they already possess that in their tribal structure.
Pocahontas was grounded on values she regarded as important. The idea that she did not sail with John Smith into the sunset is a feminist statement in itself. She chose to stay with her tribe as a leader and because she is needed. Impressive feminists are those who found a cause that they value and are willing to do the work that is entailed to it .
The movie also alludes to the spiritual nature of the Native Americans. This is an accurate description as most Native Americans are influenced by Gia. Gia is the embodiment of Mother Earth and connotes nurturance and motherhood. The spirit of the Native American woman always communes with Mother Nature as can be seen visually in this movie with Pocahontas talking to the Willow tree with the face of a grandmother.
John Smith was also depicted as a stereotype. He had to be tall, good looking and blonde to be able to get the poor unassuming heroine. He possessed the virtues of bravery, curiosity, strength and selflessness. All this is in opposition of a greedy Governor Radcliff who is unattractive with a belly punch and obtuse behavior.
On Colonialism and Racism
The movie depicted General Radcliff saying numerous unflattering remarks about the Powhatan Nation. He described them as savages and had the desire to kill them all. This depict the racial colonialism that speaks of the annihilation of people who are degenerates and abnormal and is a hindrance to improve the white man’s quality of life .
It would also be fair to admit that the English settlers were also subject to colonial and racial biases. The movie depicted the white man as a gold greedy, land usurper and proponent of cultural and ethnic cleansing. They have no respect for the environment and would go to great lengths to attain fortune. It is true that these descriptions are based on historical fact and reality has seen them doing much worse. However, it can be said that not all have followed that path and stirred away from oppressive ideals.
Conclusion
The movie is a Disney animated feature that has been targeted for children’s viewing. The animation would have to be pleasant and engaging for young eyes. However, the movie had projected so many historical inaccuracies that made the parents concerned.
Heroines do not have to embody physical perfection. It would still be a great movie with a physically less-striking Pocahontas journeying determinedly towards self-realization. It would have emphasized the strength and fortitude of women that is not dependent on the gender stratification that still persists in societies.
The movie could have also depicted a realistic description of the Native Americans with their everyday concerns and struggles. It is good that they have highlighted the tribes’ commune with nature. However, it had failed to introduce the matrilineal or matrilocal aspect of the Native Americans.
Conclusively, it would be unwise, therefore, to not put on a gender lens especially in making movies that will be shown to our children. Without this lens, movies would unknowingly enforce gender biases and racial discrimination in their young minds and they would carry them into adulthood.
References
Daly, Frederica Y. "Perspectives of native American Women on Race and Gender." Gwyn, Kirk and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. McGraw-Hill, 1995. 104-111.
Lorber, Judith. "The Social Construction of Gender." Gwyn, Kirk and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. McGraw-Hill, 1991. 64-67.
Smith, Andy. "Sexual Violence and American Indian Genocide." Gwyn, Kirk and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. McGraw-Hill, 1999. 274-282.
Valenti, Jessica. Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman's Guide to Why Feminism Matters. California: Seal Press, 2007.
