As a human being, we cannot help but have expectations. Whether it is the expectation of son, sibling or spouse, it is human nature. Now let’s get onto the wider media picture.
I have often heard people, females more so than males, say how Bollywood has given them ‘unrealistic expectations’ and I have to say that as a fellow female, I fully well agree! However to chuck all the blame onto Bollywood is very unfair. In fact, it is down-right wrong! I think there is an underlay that people tend to forget, especially if you grew up, surrounded by Disney and such characters. So let’s take a quick chronological delve into history, to explore further. There’s a few on-going themes, so I’ll start by touching on those.
Clothing.
This is a dangerous theme, clothes. Every single one of the characters had such unrealistic attires, it was untrue! Who parades around in ball gown or big wedding-dress-style meringues during the pre and post teens! Let’s have a look-see at a few, shall we.
Ariel: At the mere age of 16, we see the youngest daughter of a King having a very distinctive appearance, with her long, flowing red hair, blue eyes, green tail, and a purple seashell bikini top! Always, always in seashell bikini, I mean seriously, let’s get realistic! How many 16-year olds did you see parading around in bikinis alone, forget seashell bikinis, back in ’89!
Jasmine: Never did I see Jasmine in anything, but that genie/Arabic/belly-dancing outfit! Did she own nothing else?! Who lives in attire like that, all the day and night long!
Hair.
Rapunzel: This is the perfect example of hair-extensions at its best! I had my first hair-cut aged 11 and I have to admit, I had pretty long, strong locks, but nothing and nowhere like Rapunzel’s. This is simply impossible! I remember going through hours of agony every morning, trying to get my hair brushed and in a humane state!
Belle: Always seemed to her hair tied up beautifully in a RIBBON! Seriously..how..?! Have you ever tried tying your hair up in a ribbon?! Firstly, it does not work and secondly, after hours of attempts, if somehow you do manage it, it looks like a stack of hay that was shot and exploded!
Ariel: With luscious, long locks of ginger/red hair, Ariel was usually the envy and talking point of all hair-conversations. What I would like to know is, where are the frekkin’ freckles?! It is genetically not possible to have ginger hair and no freckles!!! As well as to be born with fire-red hair!
Jasmine: How do you get your hair in such a style, all the time! That’s a no-no so big, I’m not even going to say anything further!
Pocahontas : Simply known for just best hair ever! Yet never, ever was there a hairbrush or stylist in view!
Coming onto more general themes now.
Ever noticed how every single Princess always had the most perfect voice and just sang everything all the time! I come from a pretty ‘musical’ family and so I was luck to always be around strong vocals, but that just made me think we should all be like that, so you can imagine the culture shocks I used to get when I would go round to friends or extended family events, and they would put a tape on!
The other aspect I never, ever got was the whole ‘animal-human’ concept. Whilst it was really nice how animals were portrayed as members of the family and your best friends, the talking concept was way beyond me! The amount how times I’d stand waiting at my window, (singing, of course), for the birds to come over) and clean my room! I mean, just look at Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty all of whom had the animals as their best friends and as the little servants. Worse of them all was clearly, Ariel, who had constant slaves, in the form of Sebastian and Flounder. As a child, this concept confused me the most; were animals over friends, pet and family or just little slaves?! Just as I am trying to get my head round all this, along comes Belle, who has house-hold ornaments as her help! I really felt for Aladdin’s Apu, bless the poor soul! He was a monkey who was forced to dress up in a stupid outfit, with a red hat! I mean surely, that has RSPCA written all over it!
Why does every storyline have old people are automatically evil and witch-based?! Is it any wonder youngsters grow up thinking that old people are evil, ugly and annoying; their always protracted as such. From Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella’s wicked step-mother to Little Mermaid’s Ursula, the elder characters have the same characteristics: old, evil and ugly!
A never-ending topic, there are thousands of patterned-themes that run across, but to sum up this post...
Jasmine was in a relationship with a dirty homeless boy named Aladdin. Snow White lived alone with seven men. Pinnochio was a liar. Robin Hood was a thief. Tarzan walked around without clothes on. A stranger kissed Sleeping Beauty and she married him. Cinderella lied and snuck out at night to attend a party. With all this and more as our childhood influence and models, is it any wonder teenagers are as confused as they are!
RadioWalli, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog and the comparisons you have made to Disney characters which have cleverly perpetuated imagery of innocence into our minds as children until we choose to question them as adults. It is important that we have our own brand identity as professionals in the working world whether that be as a female or male to propel ourselves in our career choice or path of desire and shouldn't fall into the belief that we will all live happily ever after
ReplyDeleteHey Radio Wali, interesting point of view, I'm not sure I agree but I do see where you are coming from. I was hoping you would touch upon more of the bollywood side too because cartoons are cartoons, but bollywood tries to pretend that is how it really is.
ReplyDeleteI find that reality really kicks in for people once the wedding element is over and all the hullaballoo is finished it's time to face the music of what being married is all about.