Psychoanalysis of Bambi

846 Words4 Pages
The classic Disney film Bambi has long been thought of as a cutesy animated classic for children. With its amazing sound track, and riveting tale of the “little prince” of the forest and his journey through life, at face value Bambi appears to be yet another children’s story in the world of adults. Yet when the movie is critically analyzed one finds the workings of imagery, stereotyping, a statement on parenting, and culturally significant themes and ideas presented within the animated forest animals. The 1942 classic holds within it meaning and significance, showing the innocence of childhood, parenting styles, and family values of the time of its creation, giving meaning through all the song and cherub like creations of Walt Disney. Although it is hard to notice the subtle themes and messages portrayed throughout the film due to its gentle and cute presentation, at the start of the film a key element is revealed. The only significant male presence at Bambi’s birth is the old owl. Owls are generally portrayed as wisest and most sophisticated of the animals in the forest, Disney plays off of this stereotype, making the owl out to be wise, knowing about spring time and the amorous effects on animals, portraying him as the “leader” bird whenever any other birds are shown. However, the owl seems to take up the role of an old and dying set of ideological values and beliefs, being against young love as seen in the spring scene where he educates Thumper, Bambi, and Flower on falling in love. He also seemingly recognizes the significance of Bambi’s birth more then the other animals, save Bambi’s mother. Going back to the fact that the owl was the only significant male present seems contradictory because the society in which Bambi was originally written was male-dominated. Throughout the film we can also see this same theme of a male-dominated society, but simply put: we
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