CMCstudent, Dorfman & Mattelart

Dorfman and Mattelart talk about Walk Disney’s massive merchandise of characters. It is true that Disney characters and paraphernalia are abundant everywhere, not just in the U.S., but around the entire world. Honestly, I think it is a little ridiculous to have Disney characters on things such as lamps, rocking chairs, soap, and watches. I also could not believe the Disney comedy strips are translated into 30 languages and over one hundred countries! It is very true that we see the Disney trademark so often that it becomes invisible. This is especially true in the Central Florida area, where we are surrounded by everything Disney.

I think since Disney is based so much on characters it really lends itself to be universal, because one all can see themselves in it, and animals have a universal language (no one can understand). It goes through ideologies because it uses a universal language to talk to children and teach them ways of behavior. Fables are “full of valuable lessons in the way animals can teach us how to behave under the most difficult circumstances”(124). It is easier to be supportive of an animalistic character rather than actual people. When you put a person in a story other elements are always added in to define the person. When animals are used, they stay one-dimensional and are easier for children to understand. Hence, the name of the tale, the Rabbit and the Hare, not Bob and Jack.

Essentially everything can be brought back to politics, so to think that “politics cannot enter into areas of ‘pure entertainment;” is not true. Values are instilled in children all the time that reflect that of the countries. Since the country is run by politics, anything that is reflected by the country can be said to be political. Today, there is no such thing as “pure entertainment” and all should be questioned.