Jack Zipes’s essay “Breaking the Disney Spell” is a thought-provoking critique of the way Disney films, particularly their fairy tale adaptations, influence the perceptions and aspirations of young viewers. Zipes argues that Disney movies perpetuate harmful gender and racial stereotypes and promote a narrow, conformist vision of human existence. He maintains that these films subvert the original intent of fairy tales as cautionary tales that expose human flaws and offer moral guidance. Instead, Disney twists them into commercial enterprises that embody a false, superficial ideal of beauty and success.
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Zipes’s argument is compelling because he supports it with extensive research and analysis. He draws on insights from diverse sources, including psychology, history, and anthropology, to illustrate how Disney films manipulate their audience’s emotions and values. For instance, he cites studies that reveal how girls who watch Disney princess movies develop an unhealthy preoccupation with physical appearance and passive, subservient demeanor. He also shows how Disney has sanitized and sanitized traditional folktales to make them more palatable to mass audiences, ignoring the darker, tragic elements that give the stories emotional resonance and cultural significance.
Moreover, Zipes is not content to merely criticize Disney; he proposes a counter-vision of what fairy tales could be. He urges readers to reclaim this rich literary genre from its co-option by commercial interests and revive its capacity to provoke critical thinking and social change. He suggests that by exposing children to a diverse range of fairy tales, we can help them develop empathy, imagination, and moral discernment. In particular, he advocates for versions of fairy tales that challenge gender and class norms and celebrate social justice and equality.
However, some critics may argue that Zipes overstates his case and overlooks the positive aspects of Disney films. They might point out that many viewers find Disney movies entertaining and inspiring, and that the company has made significant efforts in recent years to diversify its cast of characters and promote messages of inclusion and self-discovery. They might also argue that Zipes’s idealized vision of fairy tales as subversive, anti-authoritarian works of art ignores the fact that these stories have always been shaped by cultural and historical contexts, and have been used both to reinforce and challenge dominant ideologies.
Overall, though, Zipes’s essay is a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate over the social and cultural impact of popular media. It challenges us to think critically about the messages we consume and convey to our children, and reminds us of the power of stories to shape our perceptions and values. Whether or not one agrees with all of his arguments, Zipes’s essay offers a rich and thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between art, commerce, and ideology in contemporary society.
