Unit 2: No Thanks, No Giving (Première Générale)

Pocahontas, Movie Trailer

The document under study is the trailer for the Disney movie Pocahontas, released in June 23^rd 1995 in theaters. This movie can be considered as a faulty representation of Native Americans. Firstly, this Disney adaptation is tailored towards a young audience, which can be an explicit factor towards the shaping of a generation view on Native American culture whether it be positive or negative. On top of that, this movie is also a heavily romanticized version of the myth, which simultaneously sparks public interest all while propagating an inaccurate facet of history.

Moreover, contrasting with the white people, the Native Americans are partially naked, it stresses the image of an uncivilized people in the point of view of the colonists.

Often, media can only take one part of the real story and forces people to think in a certain way, which creates stereotypes and a separation between the peoples. They never really mention the common traits in order to create a form of unity.

However, as time passes by, the Hollywood industry is getting better at representing Native Americans in movies such as “Dances With Wolves” or “the Last of Mohicans”… by celebrating and respecting their culture.

Homework: Learn the lesson.