Ideology in Disney's Pocahontas

Ideology is used as a way to mystify real, concrete conditions into intertwining beliefs that make possible certain kinds of cultural consensus or knowledge. Ideology tends to be prescriptive in that it contains notions of how things ought to be. Anything that is ideological in this sense seems to solidify our "common sense" notions of right and wrong in relation to various topics such as freedom, progress, justice, etc. . .even though our ideal notions usually do not reflect reality.

In this post I will attempt to demystify some ideologies portrayed in the Disney animation Pocahontas: peace and nature, intercultural relationships, beauty, and the concept of the heroine.

The song "Colors of the Wind" compares the Native American's appreciation for nature with the Western dominance and destruction of nature. As we learn, peace with nature is indisputably good, and anyone who doesn't agree is barbaric. And even though we can see the paradox that it is the western civilization that is barbaric and not so much the Native Americans, the lyrics to the song "Savages"  uses drama and racism and shows the savageness of both groups of peoples (as well as using offensive stereotypes). From this movie we learn an alternate version of history where these two different cultures, who aren't actually so different from each other, learn to respect each other as equals. But the true history of this time period (which I won't detail as I am sure you have taken classes in American History) demystifies this ideal of peace, love, and nature that Disney promotes. Especially relating to what I said above about how Disney portrayed both groups of people as savages, when really it was mainly the Westerners who massacred and took advantage of the Native Americans. Also, although the Europeans are portrayed as "wrong" or "bad" in the film, it is ultimately the Europeans who we are tricked into commending at the end of the movie for growing from their mistakes and learning how to treat the Native Americans with respect and equality.

Out of all Disney "princess" animations, Pocahontas is said to be one that progressively promotes intercultural relationships. Pocahontas and John Smith seem to overcome their differences and fall in love. But this progressive move for Disney seems to not be quite so progressive when Pocahontas is the one Disney "princess" that doesn't get to keep her "prince-charming" at the end of the movie. So although it's possible to fall in love inter-racially or inter-culturally, Disney tells us that a lasting relationship is nonsensical. Pocahontas must stay with her people and John Smith must go back to his.

Lastly for this post, the ideology of beauty and what that word means in relation to women and physical appearance is blatantly expressed here, as it is in all other Disney princess films. As it is portrayed here, "beautiful" means slender and big-breasted with long flowing hair: your standard barbie. Also in relation to women, while Pocahontas is an independent and strong heroine, the men in her tribe don't take her seriously, no one considers her opinion in an arranged marriage, and she is merely being shifted between different patriarchs (whether her father, Kocoum, or John Smith).