Pocahontas Film & Myth Critical Response

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Pocahontas Film and Myth Critical Response
Feminism is the advocacy of females’ rights on the grounds of economic, social and political equality to men. Therefore, men and women should be treated the same, and none should control the other. The notion that one sex is superior in any facet is destructive and ridiculous. In the past, women suffered the most as they were considered less important compared to men in the society. Women were expected to obey all what men could tell them. This notion of male superiority is well depicted in the movie “Pocahontas.” The society in the movie “Pocahontas” holds that men are sole decision makers and therefore women should always listen and obey. However, Princess Pocahontas defies her society’s beliefs and pursues an independent life. She challenges all attempts aimed at suppressing her dreams and therefore, she is a feminist character in the movie “Pocahontas.”
Pocahontas is openly fraught since she is seen as uncivilized and less educated while John Smith claims he is more educated and civilized. Pocahontas fraught is not by colonizers only, other men in her tribe including her father also oppress her (“Analysis of Pocahontas, a Film by Disney | Free on Zone Essay” n.p). When she advises her dad concerning John Smith issue, her father considers her ignorant and naïve. When Pocahontas decides to walk out of their village, and their father is worried about her security, she could always be accompanied by a man if permitted to leave.

Therefore, Pocahontas is being overlooked because she is a woman. If Pocahontas existed as a man, the treatment would be different and hence gender inequality.
Pocahontas’s dad is the chief of their tribe, but his wife, who is Pocahontas’s mother is unavailable in this film. On the colonizer’s side, women are not seen at all while men dominate. This shows how gender roles of femaleness and maleness are very prevailing. According to Pocahontas’s tribe, women are thought to stay within the village, collect corn, and linger quietly when males are talking. On the other hand, men are permitted to quest outside the village, give their views, and possess all the authority. The males in the clan do not wear shirts thus exposing their muscle while the males in the settlers have distinctive muscle definition despite their full clothing. This muscle exposure is meant to show that men are hard and tough. On the other hand, all women in the movie have provocatively dressed an indication that women are perceived as sex objects.
The authority of a male to make decision for a woman is evident when Pocahontas’s father instructs her that she must be married by a warrior of their clan whether she is willing or not. Her father claims that Pocahontas’s marriage to a warrior is the best decision for her. However, Pocahontas questions her father about marriage and colonizers. She stays brave and keeps to her heart. Pocahontas defies her father’s marriage proposal and rescues the man she loves. She doesn’t allow her father’s dominance to interfere with her heart. Surprisingly, Pocahontas doesn’t marry the man she loves. She breaks with the man with “it’s not you, it’s my path” speech. She believes that her fate is larger than a man and stands up for what she believes. Pocahontas is not afraid to be exposed. Therefore, in the movie, Pocahontas doesn’t behave the way women are supposed to behave at this time. Her acts go against women oppression and hence a feminist.
Therefore, women oppression suppresses their abilities. However, Pocahontas shows that women can come out of oppression and define their path. Both men and women have abilities and talents that they can contribute to society. If these abilities are embraced without chauvinism and without guiding persons with stereotypical sex roles, then the suppressed resources in women can be taped.
Works Cited
“An Analysis of Pocahontas, a Film by Disney | Free on Zone Essay.” Free on Zone Essay |, zoneessay.com/an-analysis-of-Pocahontas-a-film-by-Disney/.