Why trust Disney?
Disney has established the necessary ethos, pathos and logos to gain the trust of so many people that the Disney name has become known worldwide. Jack Selzer explained in his piece, “Rhetorical Analysis: Understanding How Texts Persuade’s Readers”, that for a writer to gain respect from his or her readers, or in this case viewers, they must prove themselves as trustworthy. The Disney Corporation has such a good reputation because it has created works that viewers believe in and trust.
Disney established its ethos back when Walt Disney introduced Mickey Mouse. Ethos are defined as, the “quality of a piece of writing that persuades through the character and trustworthiness of the speaker or writer” (Selzer 287). Walt Disney created Mickey to be a character who is not defined by being perfect but as a happy character who “is never mean or ugly” and “never lies or cheats or steals” (Palestini 66). Mickey’s qualities are qualities that most people see as good qualities and most want their children to acquire. Mickey is an icon for the Disney Corporation but is only part of why people hold such high respect for the Disney Corporation.
Disney established its ethos back when Walt Disney introduced Mickey Mouse. Ethos are defined as, the “quality of a piece of writing that persuades through the character and trustworthiness of the speaker or writer” (Selzer 287). Walt Disney created Mickey to be a character who is not defined by being perfect but as a happy character who “is never mean or ugly” and “never lies or cheats or steals” (Palestini 66). Mickey’s qualities are qualities that most people see as good qualities and most want their children to acquire. Mickey is an icon for the Disney Corporation but is only part of why people hold such high respect for the Disney Corporation.
Disney movies prove to be educational pieces of entertainment and that is a big factor as to why their followers have trust in them. For example Disney’s movie, Beauty and the Beast teaches children that true beauty is not what a person looks like on the outside but who they are on the inside. The Prince or the Beast learns this lesson the hard way. It was because the handsome Prince was selfish and unkind to people that were not beautiful on the outside that a spell was cast upon him and turned into the ugly Beast. When the Beast meet Belle she helps him see that true beauty is within. In the end when the Beast learns his lesson and finds true love the spell is broken and he is turned back into a human. This lesson is something that most parents and teachers hope that children understand. It follows the idea of not “judging a book by its cover”, something that is taught to children during their elementary years.
But this is not the only lesson that Disney teaches children Disney teaches children other valuable lessons relating to other American values including; individualism, decency, patience and that good should beat evil (Izard 39). Thinking back to the story of Beauty and the Beast, in the end of the movie the Beast defeats Gaston. Gaston was a man who thought so highly of himself that he thought no one, including Belle should ever say no to him. He wanted Belle to love him and felt that he could force her to marry him, but Belle could see past his good looks and saw him for the terrible person he was inside. Unlike the Beast, Gaston did not learn his lesson and he lost the battle with the Beast, leaving the Beast to be the hero. This example teaches children a lesson in that they should be nice to people because if not they will be punished. This also reinforces the idea that you should not judge people by what they look for on the outside but that you should get to know who they are on the inside. Belle fell in love with the Beast by looking past his physical appearance and getting to see how kind and loving he was. |
These are only a few examples of how Disney has established ethos with its viewers but if we take a look at some of Disney’s other works he has provided many other lessons that American’s value. These lessons emphasis the idea that children should use their imaginations, have an appreciation for music, and while teaching these lessons Disney incorporates history, natural science and geography into their movies (Izard 38-39).
Disney establishes its pathos by sparking emotions within its audience members. Disney is known to bring joy and happiness to its audience members as they watch their movies. When people hear the name Disney they think of a happy place, a place where dreams come true and where everyone lives “happily ever after” (Castillo 1).
Disney establishes its pathos by sparking emotions within its audience members. Disney is known to bring joy and happiness to its audience members as they watch their movies. When people hear the name Disney they think of a happy place, a place where dreams come true and where everyone lives “happily ever after” (Castillo 1).
I have felt this myself and know that so many other people have felt different emotions from watching Disney movies. Watching the Disney's movie, Cinderella as a child I remember feeling bad for Cinderella when she was treated poorly by her evil step mother and step sisters. She was given rag like clothing to wear and was ordered to do chores all day. When she asked if she could go to the ball she was told she had to finish her chores, and she did, but when her step sisters saw her dressed up in her mother old ball gown they tore it to pieces. This part also brings sadness to viewers, but then things turn around for Cinderella when she meets her Fairy Godmother. When Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother waves her wand saying, “bibbidi-bobbidi-boo”, my sadness like most viewers turned into excitement because magic turned Cinderella’s torn dress into a beautiful ball gown and turned a pumpkin into a fantastic carriage. The story changes our emotions again when we feel sympathetic for Cinderella when the clock strikes twelve and all the magic wears off. But in the end Cinderella and the Prince meet again and live happily ever after. This reassuring ending leaves viewers delighted and happy. And for young children this idea leaves them with optimistic feelings that dreams can come true.
Like the story of Cinderella, all the Disney movies provoke emotions in viewers, especially children. These feeling can vary from sad, sympathetic, maybe even angry but in every tale the good characters that are deserving of happiness live happily ever after, giving children a feeling of satisfaction and happiness. |
The last thing that a good writer must do in order to gain a good reputation with his or her audience members is to establish logos. Logos are described by Selzer as “hard evidence” (Selzer 288) that help prove a point. Disney provides evidence as to why its movies are appropriate for children to view. Disney does this by considering what American culture values and then writes lessons into the movies that reinforce the American values. Disney also incorporates life lessons like how to act appropriately, right from wrong and the other things I mentioned previously in this piece (Cork 1). These lessons are taught to children in an innocent way with very little violence. These movies are not gory; instead they are colorful and magical. Disney movies support and demonstrate American ethos such as punishment for wrong doing as well as how hard work pays off (Cork 2). The Disney Corporation appears to keep to its pure, clean and innocent traits not only within their movies but within their television shows, books and amusement parks. By staying true to what it is known to be, “family-friendly” (Castillo 1) entertainment, Disney gives its audience the evidence it needs to establish logos and as a result it gains the interest of its intended audience.
Like Keith Cork mentioned in his article, “Archetypes in Fairy Tales: A Mirror of the American Ethos”, Disney writes in morals, values and social codes to reflect the beliefs that are held by American’s. By mirroring these American qualities Disney gains viewers respect and attention. They give parents and teachers a reason to show the Disney movies to their children and a reason to believe that Disney has their children’s best interest in mind.
Like Keith Cork mentioned in his article, “Archetypes in Fairy Tales: A Mirror of the American Ethos”, Disney writes in morals, values and social codes to reflect the beliefs that are held by American’s. By mirroring these American qualities Disney gains viewers respect and attention. They give parents and teachers a reason to show the Disney movies to their children and a reason to believe that Disney has their children’s best interest in mind.