Jack Zipes discusses how Disney changed the way fairy tales are viewed by audiences. Disney animated tales in such a way that they were engrained in audiences’ minds forever. Zipes argues that Disney did this in order to take control and show off his skills as an animator. I don’t agree that Disney “robs the literary tale of its voice and changes its form and meaning” (344). Disney took these tales that had been told and changed for many years and he made his own changes. He did what many others had done before him. I don’t think that he “violated” these tales just because he had the technology and the ideas to transform short tales into full-length feature films.
It is true that whenever I think of fairy tales, Disney movies are the first that come to mind. But is that really such a horrible thing? I am not saying that Zipes is wrong in saying Disney took control of fairy tales, because in a way he did make them his. I learned these stories from Disney before I heard earlier versions. However, I feel that because Disney had already taught me these tales in such a memorable way that by the time I heard other versions I was able to appreciate them more.
When you watch these tales as an adult, they bring back memories of what it was like to watch them as a child and be completely enchanted by the story. Disney made fairy tales even more enjoyable for both children and adults. Isn’t that what the Grimm’s and others wanted?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I completely agree. Zipes was a bit over the top in his judgement of Disney. The Grimms and Perrault did the same thing. Pot calling the kettle black, I say!
ReplyDeleteWas that what the Grimms brothers wanted? I thought that they were chronicling these stories in order to help glorify German culture.
ReplyDeletei agree with you and moriah, it seems that zipes was going way over the top with his critique on Disney. without Disney, fairytales would definitely not have as much appeal as it does today.
ReplyDelete