Disney's Aladdin Response, Alex Rose

Disney Aladdin Blog Post, Alex Rose

Aside from some glaring plot differences surrounding Lago and the evil magician in Disney’s version, the first major difference I noticed was the characterization of Aladdin. As I mentioned in my first blog post about the written version of Aladdin, in the original version of the story Aladdin is described as “idle” repeatedly. Aladdin refuses to do any work and lives off his parents’ earnings, while being greedy. In the Disney film Aladdin is an orphan who struggles to find food, but is in a good mood all of the time. Furthermore, even when he has no food, he is willing to help others by giving them part of the little bit he has, like in the scene pictured above and his willingness to free the genie. In addition to not being “idle”, Aladdin is much smarter in the Dinsey film. He is able to trick the genie into an extra wish and capture Lago.

The initial characterization of Jasmine is as a woman who is incapable of being independent, but wants independence. Jasmine refuses to marry in an arranged marriage because she wants to marry for love. She sneaks out of the castle to live independently, but in doing so shows her lack of ability to be on her own. When she is walking through the streets she takes an apple and does not know that she has to pay for it. She relies on Aladdin to save her. Disney enforces the negative stereotype that women are helpless and need to be rescued by men: https://ctlsites.uga.edu/engl3820w-fall2016/continuing-disney-gender-roles-in-aladdin/

In addition to her characterization, Princess Jasmine’s clothing is somewhat shocking. The princess is always wearing something revealing and in two pieces. It seems a little bit inappropriate to promote that style to young girls. Her body shape is also concerning because of the messages that it passes to young girls. Body image is a prevalent issue in today’s culture and films like this are part of the reason why. Princess Jasmine has a body that is unrealistic, but is supposed to be the body type that girls have.

The relationship between Jasmine and Aladdin was also interesting. In the original version of the story, Aladdin essentially kidnaps the princess for two nights before they actually meet, while being a pervert and stalking her. In the Disney version the audience can tell that the relationship is consensual and from the beginning that the two are in love. In the end true love conquers the law that forbids a princess from marrying anyone other than a prince, which is very Disney-like.

The largest plotline difference in my opinion is the fact that the genie only grants Aladdin three wishes as opposed to unlimited. The aspect of having a wish limit prevents Aladdin from being too selfish. In the written story it is very easy to view Aladdin as greedy, and while at parts of the movie he certainly is, in the end he does the right thing and sets the genie free proving that he is not greedy at all.