Analysis of Orphans

 

Clearly, the importance of parental guidance in Disney films is most apparent where orphans grow up without role models or guardians.  In Peter Pan, the titular character is fun and playful, but his refusal to grow up and embrace adulthood and loneliness demonstrates to the audience that, without responsible parenting, he can not handle the reality of life.  He is well-meaning and obviously cares about his compatriots; however, he denies change and the loss of any childlike notions.  Another orphan mirrors Peter Pan’s mischievousness, but he uses his cunning to survive in an uncaring, dangerous world.  In Aladdin, the “street rat” protagonist, parentless and alone in the world, has a heart for other children while struggling to take care of his basic needs.  Without parental security, however, he has not learned how to have a relationship with another person without dishonesty and guile.

 

For a few films, orphans struggle with the concept that they are unwanted and unlovable onscreen throughout the film.  As especially demonstrated in a particularly touching moment in The Rescuers, Penny confesses that she doesn’t feel special since, up until this point, she has still not been adopted.  Her focus during the entirety of the film is on the desire to feel adopted and the struggle to maintain hope that one day someone will love her.  The movie ends on a positive note with the mention of Penny’s being adopted.  Similarly, Lewis in Meet the Robinsons begins the film by attempting to find the mother who abandoned him at the orphanage and spends a good deal of time pining for a family of his own.  In the end, he is gifted with the idea that he will have a family in the future and is, in fact, adopted by people who can appreciate him.

 

When orphaned children are adopted, they tend to grow up knowing they are different while mostly being accepted by their adoptees.  In the Jungle Book, Mowgli is fully adopted by wolves and, while he knows he is a “man cub,” he also feels like he received a satisfactory childhood experience with loving parents.  In mild contrast, Tarzan features an unconditional loving relationship between the titular character and his adopted mother Kala.  Throughout the film, his non-biological father Kerchak refuses to accept him due to bitterness of losing his own child.  While this hurts Tarzan, he finds friendship in other gorillas and eventually comes to save his family to earn the respect of his dad.