Response to Pocahontus

Response to Pocahontas (1995)

John Smith is automatically portrayed as the ultra-masculine hero. As he walks on the ship at the beginning, other men talk about him like he was a well-known reputation. He also jumps in the ocean after one of his crew mates during a storm in the first scene.

                                      

The governor is portrayed as feminine from the beginning as well. He carries a small dog, walks on a carpet, wears purple and pink clothing. This supports the argument from the article “Transgendered Villains”.

Pocahontas looks like she is a model, and the movie focuses most on her looks instead of her talents and interests. This gives off the impression that the Pocahontas was only meant to sit, look pretty, and be married off. In this way, the movie similar to Aladdin because both are not progressive or feminist and portray women as simply people to marry off. This is furthered by the fact that no female characters have leadership roles. In fact the only two female characters the audience is introduced to are Pocahontas and Nakoma.

The Governor obviously is prejudice against the Native Americans. He views them as “savages” that need to be killed if necessary in order to make sure he gets gold. John Smith also seems to be prejudice against the Native Americans. Since he is a protagonist, he gives the audience the agency to also hold this view. This is a negative message to send to children watching this movie.

Pocahontas tries to show John Smith that the earth is not something you can own and that no one is barbarian. It is just a difference in perspective.

The Native Americans are also prejudice against the men from England. Kocum calls them “white demons”. Both sides think that the other side is there to kill them. This shows that prejudices can be found on both sides. However, I think the song “Savages, Savages” goes too far. It includes highly offensive statements like “They are savages”, “barely even human”, and “Their skin is hellish red”. These racist statements are unnecessary and could have a very negative impact on the moral development of children as well as the psychological well-being of Native American children who watch this movie. Racists and harmful language should not be included in a children’s movie.

The relationship between John Smith and Pocahontas reminds me of Romeo and Juliet. Both relationships are forbidden by their respective families and communities. They also share a similar ending in that neither of the couples end up together in the end.

At the beginning of the movie the focus was on the “savage” Indians. The movie attempts to show that there are two sides to the conflict and both needed to change their beliefs to be more accepting and less egocentric through the song “Colors of the Wind”. However, this positive message is lost and overpowered by the racist and egocentric conversations and songs. Although Pocahontas attempts to be less racist and ethnocentric than Aladdin, I believe it fails to do so.