Hidden Meanings

The film Aladdin is well known for its claim to being one of the most popular Disney movies of its time. Indeed, it is easy to see how children would find its vibrant imagery, setting, catchy songs, and plot enchanting. However, these elements, among others, sneakily instill Orientalism into the minds of those who watch it, especially children. Whether they were aware of it or not, the creators illustrate the Middle East using worn-out, occasionally offensive stereotypes that maintains the long-held belief that the West is civilized and the East is barbaric, mysterious, and unfamiliar.

The Orientalism is evident from the very beginning of the movie. In the original opening song, there are several questionable lyrics masked by a catchy tune, including:
"Oh I come from a land, from a faraway place. . . It's barbaric, but hey, it's home."
"Where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face."
The second line, in fact, caused so much controversy that, after a costly lawsuit, Disney re-released the film with the line replaced. They did not, however, even touch the scene where Princess Jasmine, having escaped from the castle, nearly gets her armed chopped off by a merchant after taking a piece of his fruit to give to a hungry child.

Other stereotypical images in the movie include the Harem Girls during Aladdin's police chase and the general portrayal of the protagonists versus the supporting characters. The Harem Girls bring sexism to the table, with just a pinch of objectification. The scene portrays Arab women as very sexual, while at the same time maintaining the traditional stereotype of mysteriousness. The character of Jasmine also upholds this idea-the fact that she is dressed more scantily than the typical Western woman implies that Arab women are more sexual in general. The film's Orientalism is truly evident in the differences of its portrayal of main and minor characters. While Aladdin and Jasmine are very clean-cut and a relatively normal size, they shrink in comparison to minor characters, especially the villains. The police, for example, are huge in stature, with exaggerated facial features, clothing, and swords. This rings true for the previously mentioned homicidal merchant as well, who possesses similar facial features, as well as loose clothing and a sword. If appearances are not blatant enough, the movie clearly defines good and bad through accents. While all the main characters- Aladdin, Jasmine, the Genie, etc.- have American or Western accents, all the villains and minor characters have foreign accents. While the average Western viewer may not notice a thing, the film effectively instills the idea of Western superiority and Eastern savagery.

Aladdin, certainly, is not the only film that is guilty of implanting Orientalism into the minds of its viewers. However, it is an integral part of the perpetuation of Orientalism and xenophobia towards the Middle East in the West. Having said that, it is important to note that although Westerners may not directly support Orientalism and xenophobia- in fact, they might actively be fighting against it-, but they are forces that have shaped their upbringing and their lives today. As a result, many have fictional visions of the Middle East in their minds that they have taken for fact. This mindset has consequences ranging from simple ignorance to vicious hate crimes based on preconceived notions of the Middle East. The only way to move past these consequences is to be unwilling to accept ignorance and educate and diversify our society.