Logo

Essay on Disneyland

Students are often asked to write an essay on Disneyland in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Disneyland

Introduction.

Disneyland is a magical theme park created by Walt Disney. It’s a place where dreams come true and imagination comes to life.

It’s located in California, USA. People from around the world visit Disneyland to experience its magic.

Attractions

Disneyland has many attractions like roller coasters, shows, and character meet-and-greets. Each one is unique and fun.

In conclusion, Disneyland is a place of joy and magic. It’s a destination that brings smiles to people of all ages.

250 Words Essay on Disneyland

The magic of disneyland.

Disneyland, the brainchild of Walt Disney, is more than just an amusement park. It is an embodiment of dreams, creativity, and the power of imagination. The park offers a unique blend of technology, storytelling, and nostalgia, making it a global phenomenon.

The Concept of Disneyland

Disneyland’s concept is rooted in Walt Disney’s desire to create a magical, immersive environment that could be enjoyed by both children and adults. The park is designed as a series of ‘lands’, each with its unique theme, such as Fantasyland, Adventureland, and Tomorrowland. These lands serve as physical manifestations of the various genres within Disney’s cinematic universe.

The Cultural Impact

Disneyland’s cultural impact is immense. It has redefined the concept of amusement parks, setting a new standard for experiential entertainment. Furthermore, it has influenced popular culture, introducing iconic characters and narratives that have become a part of global folklore.

The Disneyland Experience

The Disneyland experience is about more than just rides. It’s about stepping into a world of fantasy, where fairy tales come to life, and the line between reality and imagination blurs. The meticulous attention to detail, the immersive storytelling, and the seamless integration of technology all contribute to creating this unique experience.

In conclusion, Disneyland is a testament to the power of imagination and the enduring appeal of storytelling. It is a place where dreams come true, serving as a beacon of hope and joy for millions of visitors each year.

500 Words Essay on Disneyland

Disneyland, often referred to as the “Happiest Place on Earth,” is more than a mere amusement park. It’s a unique cultural phenomenon that has revolutionized the concept of entertainment and has left an indelible mark on global pop culture.

The Birth of Disneyland

The inception of Disneyland can be traced back to the visionary mind of Walt Disney, a pioneer in the animation industry. His dream was to create an amusement park where both adults and children could explore, interact, and immerse themselves in the enchanting world of fairy tales and Disney characters. In 1955, this dream materialized into Disneyland, situated in Anaheim, California. It was an unprecedented endeavor, blending storytelling, innovative technology, and meticulous attention to detail to create a truly immersive experience.

Impact on Popular Culture

Disneyland has significantly influenced popular culture, shaping the way we perceive entertainment. The park’s innovative use of “themed lands,” each with its distinct ambiance and attractions, has been replicated by amusement parks worldwide. Disneyland has also been instrumental in promoting a sense of nostalgia and sentimentality. The park’s attractions, from Sleeping Beauty’s castle to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, have become cultural icons, deeply embedded in the collective consciousness.

Disneyland’s Influence on the Entertainment Industry

Disneyland’s impact extends beyond the realm of amusement parks, influencing the broader entertainment industry. The park’s success has been a catalyst for the Disney Corporation’s expansion into various entertainment sectors, including television, film, and merchandising. Disneyland’s model of immersive storytelling has also inspired the design of video games and virtual reality experiences, further underlining its influence.

Economic Impact

Economically, Disneyland has been a significant contributor to local and national economies. The park has created thousands of jobs, stimulated tourism, and spurred economic development in the surrounding areas. However, it has also been subject to criticism regarding issues such as employee wages and environmental impact.

In conclusion, Disneyland is more than a mere amusement park. It’s a cultural institution that has revolutionized the entertainment industry, shaped global pop culture, and had significant economic impacts. Despite the criticism it has faced, Disneyland’s enduring popularity attests to its unique ability to captivate audiences with its blend of storytelling, innovation, and nostalgia. As Walt Disney once said, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” This statement encapsulates the enduring appeal and influence of Disneyland, a testament to the power of imagination and creativity.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

  • Essay on Natural Disaster
  • Essay on Disaster Preparedness
  • Essay on Role of Youth in Politics

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

disneyland narrative essay

Advertisement

Supported by

Dreaming Up Disneyland

  • Share full article

disneyland narrative essay

  • Apple Books
  • Barnes and Noble
  • Books-A-Million

When you purchase an independently reviewed book through our site, we earn an affiliate commission.

By Tom Zoellner

  • Nov. 25, 2019

DISNEY’S LAND Walt Disney and the Invention of the Amusement Park That Changed the World

Those who knew Walt Disney often described him as an uncomplicated man of conventional 20th-century sensibilities: a lover of model trains, farm animals, lunch-wagon food, hard work, evening belts of scotch and endless Chesterfield cigarettes. One of his rituals upon coming home from his movie studio was feeding his poodle, Duchess, a cold frankfurter, or “wienie,” by leading her from room to room while throwing pieces on the floor.

When he was designing what is arguably one of America’s great physical masterpieces, Disneyland, he explained that he wanted to coax visitors through the park with a series of visual delights that he called “wienies”: Sleeping Beauty Castle, the Moonliner, the Mark Twain riverboat, the carefully riotous verdure of the Jungle Cruise.

The clockwork of the park — and to some extent, the personality of the man who created it — receives an expert inspection in Richard Snow’s new history “Disney’s Land: Walt Disney and the Invention of the Amusement Park That Changed the World.” This is primarily a construction saga , albeit a highly readable one set in an anxious nation that didn’t know it needed Disneyland until Walt provided it .

What America didn’t lack in the 1950s was industrial capability, engineering know-how and World War II logistical experience. Disney commandeered all of it. He was a generous kind of authoritarian; the park was indisputably his own vision, but he encouraged free-flowing creativity from below. A publicist named Marty Sklar , for instance, devised the key insight that Disney didn’t have carnival rides so much as it had “stories” that provoked intellectual free play. The management expert Van Arsdale France concocted a training program that serves as a corporate model today, with customers regarded with unfailing courtesy as guests. And the seductive arrangements of trees that soften the edges of the “lands,” as different sections of the park are called, are the legacy of the landscape architect Ruth Shellhorn .

No detail is too small for Snow: the sandy topsoil in Anaheim that resembled tiny ball bearings, Disney’s habit of hiring people without their consent, the fragile aluminum bumpers on the Autopia ride, the park’s address of 1313 Harbor Boulevard as a numerical anagram for “Mickey Mouse.”

All these fine points (one might call them historical wienies) draw upon what Snow acknowledges is “an immense body of literature” about the park, which may be one of the most scrutinized building projects of the last 500 years. It is therefore a disappointment that he includes only an alphabetical list of books and articles instead of endnotes, especially in a narrative full of reconstructed scenes that cries out for firmer sourcing.

Snow also includes remembrances of the Disneyland from his childhood that would be perfectly at home in an afterword, but he lodges them distractingly in the second chapter. And for a book, like many others of its historical genre, that purports to show how its subject “changed the world,” he gives only brief treatment to the multiple criticisms of Disneyland and its effect on American life. Some of these attacks come from academic reactionaries, certainly, but the park’s social legacy calls for more conscientious treatment than three pages, which is significantly less attention than Snow gives to Walt’s extended haggle with television networks. Despite these minor shortcomings, the pacing is well-timed: Readers are led toward the climax of opening day, July 17, 1955 , with narrative wienies aplenty and the whole enterprise is shown as a magnificent amoeba that was as much an accident as a mastered design.

Disneyland visitors who know what they’re looking for take note of the lamp burning in the partially shaded window above the fire station on Main Street (which is, despite its naked mercantilism, still the most beguiling of the many “lands”). This marks the apartment where Walt and Lillian , his wife, stayed during the most frenzied days of construction. The room is not open to the public, but this book is a worthy peek behind the drapes.

Tom Zoellner’s most recent book is “Train: Riding the Rails That Created the Modern World — From the Trans-Siberian to the Southwest Chief.”

DISNEY’S LAND Walt Disney and the Invention of the Amusement Park That Changed the World By Richard Snow 385 pp. Scribner. $30.

Explore More in Books

Want to know about the best books to read and the latest news start here..

John S. Jacobs was a fugitive, an abolitionist — and the brother of the canonical author Harriet Jacobs. Now, his own fierce autobiography has re-emerged .

Don DeLillo’s fascination with terrorism, cults and mass culture’s weirder turns has given his work a prophetic air. Here are his essential books .

Jenny Erpenbeck’s “ Kairos ,” a novel about a torrid love affair in the final years of East Germany, won the International Booker Prize , the renowned award for fiction translated into English.

Kevin Kwan, the author of “Crazy Rich Asians,” left Singapore’s opulent, status-obsessed, upper crust when he was 11. He’s still writing about it .

Each week, top authors and critics join the Book Review’s podcast to talk about the latest news in the literary world. Listen here .

57 Disneyland Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best disneyland topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 simple & easy disneyland essay titles, 👍 good essay topics on disneyland.

  • Disneyland in American, Japanese, European Cultures Due to the popularity of the American culture, Disneyland’s representation of American culture that spreading a positive attitude about life has a significant impact on Disneyland in Asian countries, especially in Japan.
  • Disneyland Hong Kong Company: Cultural Adaptation Also, the firm should reduce the daily capacity limit of visitors in the park to avoid overcrowding, which has been a major source of negative publicity.
  • Disneyland’s Cultural Dimension: USA v. France USA and France seem to be specific but in some instances, manifestation of a degree of difference is inevitable between the two countries.
  • Human Resources at Disneyland: Experience of a Large International Company Companies participate in the exploration phase by gaining awareness of the need to change. Managers in the company need to foster participation in the creation of project plans.
  • High Culture and Low Culture: Disneyland Products The distinction between high culture and low culture is needed in order to produce works of art that inspires and leads to greater achievements.
  • Euro Disneyland. Decision Matrix Analysis The case of Euro Disneyland is analyzed from this perspective, as the insufficient consideration of French culture contributed to the inability to meet the desired goals.
  • Hospitality: Magic Kingdom, Disneyland, Florida It is not a theme park in itself, in that it is a vacation resort at which the visitor is expected to spend a large amount of time; the idea has been to turn into […]
  • Disneyland Parks: Global Marketing To analyze the environment, it is necessary to decompose the internal and external factors that affect the company in the host and foreign markets.
  • Disneyland Park in California: Tour Guide 1 Being known as “the El-Dorado of the American Dream,” California still presents the place of opportunities, including the chance to feel the Southwestern culture and enjoy new adventures.
  • Hong Kong Disneyland Expansion Project The company wanted to understand the culture of the people by working with foreign governments. In understanding the culture of a foreign country, a company should work with the people in that country.
  • Virtual Reality Ride Experience at Disneyland Florida The basic concept of the proposed ride is to utilize the current advances in VR technology to create a simulated experience for park-goers that is safe, widely usable, and sufficiently immersive that there is a […]
  • A Journey to the Disneyland: From Oswald to Cinderella. Walt Disney and His Personal Demons By taking a closer look at some of the peculiarities of the environment in which Disney lived at different stages of his life in, one can possibly define the source of the major disorders that […]
  • Disneyland in Florida: Commodification and Globalisation The premise of the paper is to explore the extent to which commodification and globalization has been established in the society in regard to Disneyland in Florida.
  • Disneyland Management Around the World To have a glimpse of how Paris culture affected the resort, consider the following facts: The resort altered its policy and served beers and wines in response to french drinking habits, the French government had […]
  • When the Door to Disneyland Is Closed: Better CRM Strategies to Rescue the World of Wonders It seems that at present, the key mission of Disney is to search for the tactics which will allow the company to provide the clientele with the services of the highest quality while making the […]
  • Disneyland World Resorts: Internal and External Communication These days, it is one of the most favorite amusement parks in the country, however, the history of its development in Paris faced considerable difficulties and oppositions from the French people that led to the […]
  • Micro And Macro Environment Analysis Of Disneyland
  • The Construction Of The Shanghai Disneyland
  • Service Quality in the Hong Kong Disneyland
  • Chase’s Strategy for Syndicating the Hong Kong Disneyland
  • Getting Around Disneyland With Your Toddler
  • Two Differences Of Disneyland And Walt Disney World
  • Disneyland Is The Most Successful Amusement Park
  • Why Tokyo Disneyland Was An Awesome Achievement
  • Disneyland In Hong Kong- Good Or Bad?
  • The Success and Downfall of Disneyland Paris and Fordlandia
  • When Is The Best Time To Be At Disneyland
  • The Importance of Business Models: a Closer Look at Disneyland
  • Disneyland and the Idea of Happiness It Creates to Both Young and Adults
  • The Truth About Disneyland And Disabilities
  • Walt Disney and the Idea of Disneyland
  • Cleanliness of Disneyland Verses Magic Mountain
  • Integrated Marketing Communication Plan Hong Kong Disneyland Marketing
  • Anaylsis Of Mouse Tales: A Closer Peek Backstage At Disneyland
  • Growth of Tourism Rate in Hongkong Made by Disneyland
  • Disneyland : A Popular And Successful Theme Park
  • Marketing Ocean Park and Disneyland in Hong Kong
  • Information Of Hong Kong Disneyland HotelHong
  • Disneyland The Fading Premise of Reality in a Postmodern Society
  • Marketing Plan Of Disneyland Adopt The Chinese People Culture
  • History of the Disneyland Park Founded and Created by Walt Disney
  • Disneyland Paris Transformation of Euro Disney
  • Institutional Theory and Resource-Based Views: Disneyland in Brazil
  • Disneyland Is A New World Of Yesterday, Tomorrow, And Fantasy
  • The Commodification of Disneyland and Its Negative Effects on Children’s Culture and Dreams
  • Organizational behavior of HK Disneyland
  • Hong Kong Disneyland: Chinese Tourists’ Behavior and Disneyland’s Internationalization Strategy
  • Disneyland: Not the Happiest Place on Earth
  • Synopsis Of Disney Disneyland Opening Day
  • Hong Kong Disneyland Loan Syndication
  • The Admission Fee At Disneyland Park
  • Analysis on Cross-Cultural Issues in International Management- Euro Disneyland
  • Improving Customer Service at Disneyland Paris
  • Smart Ways To Family Reunions At Disneyland
  • Idealized Reality Through Panoptic Discipline In Disneyland
  • Contemporary Art Questions
  • Toddler Paper Topics
  • American Dream Research Topics
  • Brand Titles
  • Netflix Topics
  • National Parks Research Topics
  • Quality Control Research Topics
  • Public Service Research Topics
  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, January 21). 57 Disneyland Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/disneyland-essay-topics/

"57 Disneyland Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." IvyPanda , 21 Jan. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/disneyland-essay-topics/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '57 Disneyland Essay Topic Ideas & Examples'. 21 January.

IvyPanda . 2023. "57 Disneyland Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." January 21, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/disneyland-essay-topics/.

1. IvyPanda . "57 Disneyland Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." January 21, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/disneyland-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "57 Disneyland Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." January 21, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/disneyland-essay-topics/.

Home — Essay Samples — Geography & Travel — Disneyland — An Overview Of Disneyland Park

test_template

An Overview of Disneyland Park

  • Categories: Amusement Park Disneyland

About this sample

close

Words: 558 |

Published: May 14, 2021

Words: 558 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Disneyland in France (Paris)

Works cited.

  • Disneyland Resort Official Website. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://disneyland.disney.go.com/
  • Disneyland Paris Official Website. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-gb/
  • The Walt Disney Family Museum. (n.d.). About Walt Disney. Retrieved from https://www.waltdisney.org/about-walt-disney
  • Miller, S. (2018). Disneyland: The hidden facts and secrets of Walt Disney's theme parks. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
  • Sorkin, M. (2016). From Disneyland to Disney World: The business of magic. Routledge.
  • The Walt Disney Company. (2021). 2020 Annual Report.
  • Poole, K. (2017). Secrets of Disneyland: Weird and wonderful facts about the happiest place on earth. Summertime Publishing.
  • Krasnostein, M. (2019). The land of permanent goodbyes: A moving, powerful and timely intergenerational story that will touch every heart. HarperCollins.
  • Theme Park Insider. (n.d.). Disneyland.
  • Chung, J., & Lee, T. (2015). Disneyland Resort: A family vacation destination. Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Management, 3(1), 22-34.

Image of Dr. Oliver Johnson

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

  • 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
  • Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

author

Dr. Heisenberg

Verified writer

  • Expert in: Government & Politics Geography & Travel

writer

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 631 words

2 pages / 687 words

3 pages / 1257 words

3 pages / 1222 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Disneyland

When it comes to choosing a theme park for a fun and memorable experience, many people often debate between Disneyland and Six Flags. While both offer thrilling rides and entertainment, there are several factors that make [...]

Disneyland, often referred to as "The Happiest Place on Earth," is a world-renowned amusement park located in Anaheim, California. Since its opening in 1955, Disneyland has become a symbol of joy, magic, and imagination for [...]

I could name a million gifts that have been incredibly significant to me: an electronic device given by my parents, a book given by my friends, or even a pair of old ballet shoes from my good cousin. However, the gift that has [...]

The major factors that contributed to EuroDisney’s poor performance was the lack of market research and cultural awareness. EuroDisney was built just like American Disney parks, without giving though to cultural differences. [...]

Disneyland Resorts and Walt Disney World have historically positioned themselves as family-focused tourist destinations. So, it is no surprise that Disney’s American Parks and Resorts demographic fits that description. However, [...]

The memory of fear that stands out the most for me is, the first time that I rode The Tower of Terror. Disney Land is the happiest place on Earth to me. It has a bunch of fun rides and rollercoasters to go on. It was my fourth [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

  • Instructions Followed To The Letter
  • Deadlines Met At Every Stage
  • Unique And Plagiarism Free

disneyland narrative essay

Personal Narrative Stories

Monday, october 29, 2012, a trip to disneyland, 13 comments:.

disneyland narrative essay

You've always got to be careful in Disneyland! You could try spacing the story out a little more.

Disneyland is a great place, but can be scary.

I still remember when this happened, so glad we found you.

tmi toomany details about going there lessen a little

thanks for the help and ill give full creited to you sorry abiut it but i need help so bad and thanks again

this is a failure as an essay

why??? i think is PERFECT! YOU HAVE TO BE MORE POLITE YOU CAN HURT THE FEELINGS

This comment has been removed by the author.

6666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

Personal Narrative Essay: My First Time Going to Disney World

The last few days of 2020 for me were absolutely great! I got to spend them in Florida with my mom and her boyfriend Mike, because they had tickets to Disney World for the beginning of the new year. The few days we had until our days at Disney we stayed at Mike's dad's house and had a great New Years Eve. Then we made our way to Orlando. This is how my time at Disney World went.

We made it to our resort and after unpacking we got on a bus and went to Disney Springs and looked around at all the different stores. I loved every store, each one was so different from the other. Seeing all the disney themed stuff i wanted to buy everything.i did not get to buy anything the first day but enjoyed seeing what I could buy. 

The next day we went to Magic Kingdom, the first thing that we saw were all the Disney princesses! My favorite princess Ariel from The Little Mermaid even waved at me. I was so happy my mom laughed at how excited I was! The first ride I went on was Aladdin’s Magic Carpet ride. It was more for kids I believe, but I still enjoyed it. Then as we walked around the park and embraced it all, we made our way to Splash Mountain and that was one of my favorite rides there. By the end of the day we rode most of the rides in Magic Kingdom. Every food I tried tasted amazing, and the rides were great. 

After the day at Magic Kingdom we went to Hollywood studios,which was probably my favorite park. In the park they have Star Wars, Toy Story, and Cars and it was all so detailed it looked like it was straight out of each movie. There was an animatronic of Lighting McQueen from Cars that drove around and talked that was so real looking! Also all of the building in the Star Wars area were made to look very similar to the ones in the movies. Each area in Disney was beautifully detailed and was intricately designed. My favorite ride in this park was The Tower of Terror.It was like a haunted hotel walking in and it was creepy but the ride was definitely one of my favorites. It was really fun and I believe it is one of the most popular rides at Disney. That was probably the best day at Disney in my experience. 

Then there is Animal Kingdom. They have a bunch of animals to look at like tigers,lions,elephants,and giraffes and a bunch of rides. They have a whole area themed after the movie Avatar that is designed after the world in the movie that looked so beautiful and colorful. One of the rides is a boat ride called the Na'vi River that looks like it belongs directly in the avatar movie! The best ride in that park is the Mt.Everest roller coaster, one of the fastest roller coasters at Disney. They also have a mini safari where you get to see so many animals really close up, I got a bunch of pictures of all of them. My favorites were the giraffes and hippos. 

The last park is Epcot. It has a lot of areas themed after many different countries, and it has only a couple rides. The France area and the Japan area were undoubtedly my favorites. France had a lot of Beauty and the Beast themed things and had a theater with costumes of fairy tales based in france. In the Japan area had buildings that looked exactly like the buildings in Japan. Stores there had traditional japanese looking clothes and accessories. One of the areas was Italian themed, and had the best pizza I have ever had! It was cooked in a brick oven and was super cheesy, everyone loved it. In Epcot there are not many rides; the only one I rode is a roller coaster called the Test Track. It went really fast and was incredibly fun. 

My time at Disney world was incredibly fun. Shopping in all the stores at disney springs and Riding all the rides in the parks,best days of my life. I really loved the bonding time with my Mom and Mike. We had an absolutely great time . I'm so thankful for them and the chance to go Disney was everything I thought it would be.

Related Samples

  • What Is The Good Life Philosophy Essay Sample
  • Essay Example about The Importance of Preventative Medicine
  • How to Reduce Negative Impacts of Fast Fashion Essay Example
  • The Importance Of Technology In Our Daily Life
  • Narrative Essay Sample: Never Leave The Scene Of An Accident
  • Quality Assurance Analyst Experience Essay
  • First Day of School In America Experience Essay
  • Why College Should be Free Essay Example
  • Consumers' Role in Fast Fashion Essay Example
  • Guinea Pigs Essay Example

Didn't find the perfect sample?

disneyland narrative essay

You can order a custom paper by our expert writers

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Is the rise of lesbian cinema a win for representation or just more porn for straight men?

author image

Share this with

The problem with the fetishisation of gay women in cinema

With movies like Love Lies Bleeding and Drive Away Dolls breaking into the mainstream in recent months, it’s a good time to be a film-loving lesbian . 

While women-loving-women (WLW) have previously had to scrounge for scraps of representation in their media consumption – clinging to minor gay subplots, suffering through bad films just to see that one gloriously sapphic moment, and generally deeming any female character who wears a white tank top without a bra as ‘probably queer’ – things have been looking up lately. 

For those of us who have rewatched Carol (2015) so many times that we’re always one bad day away from buying a mink coat at a chari t y shop, it’s a relief to finally live in a time when stories centered around gay women are making bigger and bigger waves at the box office. 

But more representation doesn’t always mean better representation. As cinema struggles to cast off the sexism that has haunted it since its inception, is the increase of WLW characters actually positive representation, or just fetishisation?

Take the classic lesbian film Blue is the Warmest Color (2013), for example. A seven-minute-long sex scene between the two female leads is one of the movie’s claims to fame, but instead of being used as a narrative tool to further the story or reveal the inner lives of the characters, it’s decidedly gratuitous.

It’s shot with close-up angles reminiscent of a porn film. The characters are emotionally distant from each other and the audience throughout, creating a scene that is more a series of body parts than a plot point. 

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Love Lies Bleeding still

It exists simply because it’s hot and as a marketing tool to appeal to men, and the use of the word hot, instead of erotic or sensual, is intentional. Genuine eroticism can be an art form unto itself, but many sex scenes between two women are catered to a very specific gaze – the male gaze. 

As feminist filmmaker and scholar Nina Menkes observes in her film essay Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power, the subtle implication of the objectification of the female body in film can be read in even small cinematic details.

just watched “blue is the warmest color” it’s such a great and beautiful film but i hate the way it’s a TERRIBLE queer representation, how awful the sex scenes were and how lesbians were fetishized… Adele’s performance was just breathtaking it’s impossible to rate it for me pic.twitter.com/AMtYfcklAo — ugolin! 🧙🏻 (@thesensualwcrld) June 3, 2024

For example, viewers are often introduced to female characters with camera shots that isolate parts of their bodies that are not their faces, and often in situations of inaction, a noticable aspect of Blue is the Warmest Color.

What is the male gaze?

Prominent film theorist Laura Mulvey first coined the concept in her 1973 essay Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema: ‘Male gaze projects its fantasy onto the female figure, which is styled accordingly.’

This concept was further elaborated on in art and social critic John Berger’s seminal work, Ways of Seeing, when he wrote that much of Western art shows a man’s presence as something that ‘…suggests what he is capable of doing to you or for you…the pretense is always towards a power which he exercises on others.

‘By contrast, a woman’s presence expresses her own attitude to herself, and defines what can and cannot be done to her.’

In contrast, Menkes observes, male characters are most often introduced with shots that not only show their faces but show them in action in some way. 

Essentially, classic cinema language presents a woman and her body as passive objects to be acted upon, while it presents men to the audience as active forces. 

So how does this apply to lesbian cinema?

Charlize Theron and Sofia Boutella in Atomic Blonde

If two women having sex are presented as passive objects by the language of film, the result is a sexual interaction that offers power and autonomy to the viewer, not to the participants in the scene. This inevitably implies that even in intimate moments between two women, there is still the sense of a male viewer acting upon the women, real or imagined.

Atomic Blonde – an action thriller that came out in 2017 and features a steamy sex scene between Charlize Theron and Sofia Boutella’s characters – is a prime example of this phenomenon.

Naomi Watts and Laura Elena Harring in Mulholland Drive

The love scene was heavily marketed before the film’s release, which, when juxtaposed alongside the violent action scenes that make up the rest of the movie, creates an image of a film that’s specifically intended to appeal to the fantasies of teenage boys, not accurately depict queer sex or love. 

Like many of the objectifying lesbian scenes in cinema, it features plenty of moaning, writhing, and a sense of hypersexuality. There’s very little intimacy, curiosity, or tenderness at play.

queer baited would be more appropriate for black swan. the commercials showed almost the entire sex scene, made it seem like it would be a much bigger part of the movie. but it was just a nightmare sequence — alex (@alxhmpsch) February 19, 2023

The sex scene between Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman in Black Swan only differs in that it has a sense of implied and literal violence, as well as an obvious sense that the women are using sex as a means of grappling for power, which is startlingly common in WLW sex scenes.

It was also heavily used for marketing to make the movie seem appealing to a male audience.

Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis in Black Swan

Rarely do two onscreen female lovers share an intimate sexual connection that isn’t in some way fraught with troubled power dynamics or shame. Even the stunning movie The Handmaiden (2016) can’t escape this trap, presenting its two female characters as part of a troublesome hierarchy deeply influenced by their own sense of powerlessness. 

When queer female characters do have sex without shame or implied violence, they tend to be presented as innocent children unaware of what exactly they’re doing. 

Tae-ri Kim and Min-hee Kim in The Handmaiden

Mulholland Drive is a prime example of this category. When Naomi Watts and Laura Harring have sex in the 2001 Lynch classic, they’re presented as naive and childlike (Harring’s character has literally lost her memory).

Of course, there are exceptions to these troubling trends. Love Lies Bleeding manages to cater to the male gaze very minimally, so much so that there was plenty of backlash from displeased viewers who felt that the movie would have been ‘better’ had the two leads been ‘hotter’ in a traditional sense.

What they meant by this, of course, is that they wished Stewart and O’Brian had looked more feminine/straight so as to have male fantasies more easily projected onto them. 

Katy M. O'Brian and Kristen Stewart in Love Lies Bleeding

I genuinely do not understand how anyone watched Love Lies Bleeding and thought it was for the male gaze. Seriously, straight boys on the Internet have been whining for weeks about how Kristen Stewart is not hot anymore now that she has a mullet. pic.twitter.com/37eEDqrAeJ — Dr. Jaime Hartless (@JaimeHartless) March 22, 2024

Perhaps the biggest difference between movies like Love Lies Bleeding and Blue is the Warmest Color, however, is that actual queer women were involved in the making of the former, while the latter was essentially a straight man’s exploration of lesbian sex. 

For representation to matter and escape fetishisation, queer stories need to be told by queer artists and leave behind outdated methods of filmmaking.

Hopefully, this will be a big step towards normalising modes of cinema that leave the male gaze behind. 

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Katy Perry ‘fixes’ football star’s controversial homophobic speech for Pride

MORE : Kemi Badenoch has proved, once again, that she doesn’t deserve her job title

MORE : Kemi Badenoch, I’d rather die than be on a male hospital ward

Film

Get us in your feed

disneyland narrative essay

'The Acolyte' Arrives on Disney+ on Tuesday, Here's How to Stream All Titles From Every Star Wars' Era

The new live-action series is one of the most-anticipated installments from the franchise in quite some time.

Will the Force be with the new Disney+ original series “ The Acolyte ”? The series will pull the Star Wars narrative away from the Skywalker saga in order to focus on a new story, one with fresh characters and settings that fans of the franchise have never seen before. The show premieres on Tuesday, June 4, and as a self-confessed Star Wars nerd, I thought the debut of “The Acolyte” was a great opportunity to run through every title from the franchise already available to stream on Disney+, in chronological order of course.

Key Details:

  • “The Acolyte” drops at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 4.
  • Viewers can stream titles from every era of the Star Wars saga on Disney+.
  • The platform carries live-action, animated, and behind-the-scenes Star Wars projects.

Get Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for just $14.99 a month ($12 savings).

Star Wars Shows and Movies by Galactic Era:

High republic era, the prequel era, rise of the empire, the original trilogy, the new republic era, the sequel trilogy.

“The Acolyte” is the first live-action Star Wars TV show or movie to explore the era of the High Republic. The show is set 100 years before “ The Phantom Menace ,” and will take audiences to a time when the Jedi were the unquestioned guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy. The show will allow viewers to roll into the prequel trilogy with much more context about the history of the Jedi, and why the specter of the Sith still haunts the Order.

The only other time that this period in galactic history has appeared on screen was in last year’s pre-school-aimed cartoon “ Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures .” Because of the very different tones and focuses of the series, “Young Jedi Adventures” isn’t exactly a must-watch in order to prepare for “The Acolyte,” but it is available on Disney+. The only other way to dive deeper into the High Republic Era is via the Star Wars novels and comic books that have been long chronicling this time in history.

The Acolyte

An investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master against a dangerous warrior from his past. As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems.

Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures

Set during the High Republic era and the prime of the Jedi Order, follow Jedi younglings as they study the ways of the Force, explore the galaxy, help citizens and creatures in need, and learn valuable skills needed to become Jedi along the way.

The prequel trilogy isn’t especially beloved by older Star Wars fans, but younger generations have helped to make “The Phantom Menace” the most-streamed Star Wars movie ever on Disney+. This era shows the beginning of the end for the Jedi, and includes the highly popular animated series “ The Clone Wars .”

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

Anakin Skywalker, a young slave strong with the Force, is discovered on Tatooine. Meanwhile, the evil Sith have returned, enacting their plot for revenge against the Jedi.

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

Following an assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala, Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi investigate a mysterious plot that could change the galaxy forever.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

As the Clone Wars sweep through the galaxy, the heroic Jedi Knights struggle to maintain order and restore peace. More and more systems are falling prey to the forces of the dark side as the Galactic Republic slips further and further under the sway of the Separatists and their never-ending droid army. Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan learner Ahsoka Tano find themselves on a mission with far-reaching consequences, one that brings them face-to-face with crime lord Jabba the Hutt. But Count Dooku and his sinister agents, including the nefarious Asajj Ventress, will stop at nothing to ensure that Anakin and Ahsoka fail at their quest. Meanwhile, on the front lines of the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Master Yoda lead the massive clone army in a valiant effort to resist the forces of the dark side…

Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Mace Windu and other Jedi Knights lead the Grand Army of the Republic against the droid army of the Separatists.

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi

Journey into the lives of two distinctly different Jedi from the prequel era – Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku. Each will be put to the test as they make choices that will define their destinies.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

The evil Darth Sidious enacts his final plan for unlimited power — and the heroic Jedi Anakin Skywalker must choose a side.

As every fan knows, “Revenge of the Sith” sees the fall of the Jedi Order and the Republic, and the rise of the Galactic Empire. The franchise has spent plenty of time in recent years exploring this crucial period of galactic history, with animated and live-action projects featuring some of the franchise’s core characters like Han Solo and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch

The ‘Bad Batch’ of elite and experimental clones make their way through an ever-changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone Wars.

Star Wars: Tales of the Empire

A journey into the fearsome Galactic Empire through the eyes of two warriors on divergent paths.

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

During the reign of the Galactic Empire, former Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, embarks on a crucial mission to confront allies turned enemies and face the wrath of the Empire.

Star Wars Rebels

Set between the events of Star Wars: Episodes III and IV, the story unfolds during a dark time when the evil Galactic Empire is tightening its grip of power on the galaxy. Imperial forces have occupied a remote planet and are ruining the lives of its people. The motley but clever crew of the starship Ghost — cowboy Jedi Kanan, ace pilot Hera, street-smart teenager Ezra, the “muscle” Zeb, warrior firebrand Sabine, and cantankerous old astromech droid Chopper — is among a select few who are brave enough to stand against the Empire. Together, they will face threatening new villains, encounter colorful adversaries, embark on thrilling adventures, and become heroes with the power to ignite a rebellion.

  • DIRECTV STREAM Entertainment
  • $79.99 / month
  • Sling TV Sling Orange + Kids Extra
  • $46 / month
  • Hulu Live TV
  • $76.99 / month
  • $94.99 / month
  • XFINITY Instant TV
  • $28 / month
  • $72.99 / month

Star Wars: Andor

The tale of the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire and how people and planets became involved. In an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue, Cassian Andor embarks on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

A rogue band of resistance fighters unite for a mission to steal the Death Star plans and bring a new hope to the galaxy.

The three films that started it all are available to stream on Disney+, though fans are still somewhat disgruntled by the fact that the streamer only has the remastered editions from the 1990s, with added special effects. The original, unaltered versions of the films remain elusive, and fans will just have to cross their fingers and hope that Disney makes them available someday.

Princess Leia is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker and dashing captain Han Solo team together with the loveable robot duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the beautiful princess and restore peace and justice in the Empire.

The Empire Strikes Back

The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. But Darth Vader is more determined than ever to capture Luke. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess Leia, cocky Han Solo, Chewbacca, and droids C-3PO and R2-D2 are thrown into various stages of capture, betrayal and despair.

Return of the Jedi

Luke Skywalker leads a mission to rescue his friend Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt, while the Emperor seeks to destroy the Rebellion once and for all with a second dreaded Death Star.

The period of time immediately following “The Return of the Jedi” has also been deeply explored by Disney+ in recent years. “The Mandalorian” was one of the streamer’s key titles when it first launched in 2019, and it has slowly expanded the narrative to show fans more details about the rise of the First Order and the rapid decay of the New Republic.

The Mandalorian

After the fall of the Galactic Empire, lawlessness has spread throughout the galaxy. A lone gunfighter makes his way through the outer reaches, earning his keep as a bounty hunter.

The Book of Boba Fett

Legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett and mercenary Fennec Shand must navigate the galaxy’s underworld when they return to the sands of Tatooine to stake their claim on the territory once ruled by Jabba the Hutt and his crime syndicate.

Former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy.

Star Wars Resistance

Kazuda Xiono, a young pilot for the Resistance, is tasked with a top secret mission to investigate the First Order, a growing threat in the galaxy.

  • Sling TV Sling Orange
  • $40 / month

When the prequels came out in the early 2000s, they unleashed a wave of controversy among fans of the franchise. The newest episodic films in the Star Wars universe created another backlash, but a marathon of Star Wars wouldn’t be complete without them!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Thirty years after defeating the Galactic Empire, Han Solo and his allies face a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren and his army of Stormtroopers.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares to do battle with the First Order.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once again as the journey of Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron continues. With the power and knowledge of generations behind them, the final battle begins.

Disney+ is a video streaming service with over 13,000 series and films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, The Muppets, and more. It is available in 61 countries and 21 languages. It is notable for its popular original series like “The Mandalorian,” “Ms. Marvel,” “Loki,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and “Andor.”

Disney+ has several plans with or without ads. Disney+ Basic with Ads costs $7.99 / month. If you don’t want ads, you can choose Disney+ Premium with No Ads which costs $13.99 / month.

The Premium plan also offers an annual option for $139.99 / year ($11.67/mo.).

If you’d like to add Hulu, choose Duo Basic (with ads) for $9.99 / month. Duo Premium offers Hulu and Disney+ ad-free for $19.99 / month.

If you want all three Disney streaming services, you can choose Trio Basic (ad-supported) or Trio Premium (ad-free). The Trio plans offer Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ (with Ads) for $7.99 / month. The Disney Bundle Premium (without Ads) for $24.99 / month.

The app supports unlimited downloads (on their Premium Plans), four simultaneous streamers , up to 7 profiles , 4K streaming , and includes hundreds of avatars .

The service includes 25+ original series, 10+ original movies, 7,500 past episodes, 100 recent movies, and 400 library titles including the entire Disney Vault.

You can see the full list of available Disney , Disney Channel , Star Wars , Pixar , Marvel , Nat Geo shows and movies, or all available Disney+ content by checking out our Disney+ Streaming Movie List .

The Acolyte will premiere on Disney+ on Tuesday, June 4 at 9 p.m. ET

Echoes of Dissent: the Anti-Federalist Narrative Reimagined

This essay about the Anti-Federalist movement sheds light on their diverse perspectives and concerns regarding the proposed United States Constitution. It explores their staunch advocacy for individual liberties, states’ rights, and the need for checks and balances to prevent tyranny. Through a rich tapestry of voices, from prominent leaders to ordinary citizens, the essay reveals the depth of dissent that shaped early American democracy. Ultimately, it highlights the enduring legacy of the Anti-Federalists in shaping the nation’s governance and the adoption of the Bill of Rights as a testament to their advocacy for fundamental freedoms and accountable government.

How it works

Within the annals of American history lies a tale of dissent, woven from the threads of individual liberty, state sovereignty, and the quest for accountable governance. The Anti-Federalist movement, a heterogeneous coalition of voices, stands as a testament to the enduring struggle against centralized authority and the preservation of fundamental freedoms. In reimagining their narrative, we unearth a mosaic of perspectives that enrich our understanding of the complexities inherent in the forging of a young nation.

At its core, Anti-Federalist ideology springs from a deep-rooted skepticism towards concentrated power and its potential for encroachment upon the rights of the individual.

Emerging in the wake of revolutionary fervor, Anti-Federalists found themselves at odds with the proposed Constitution, wary of its perceived deficiencies in safeguarding against governmental overreach. Their clarion call for a Bill of Rights resonated with a belief in the inalienable rights of all citizens, including the freedom of expression, religion, and the press. Through their advocacy, Anti-Federalists sought to imbue the fabric of the fledgling republic with the principles of liberty and justice for all.

Beyond their commitment to individual freedoms, Anti-Federalists championed the cause of state sovereignty, viewing it as a bulwark against the homogenizing forces of federal authority. They feared that a centralized government, divorced from the realities of local governance, would erode the autonomy of states and diminish their capacity to address the unique needs of their diverse populations. This conviction, born of a profound respect for the inherent wisdom of local communities, underscored Anti-Federalists’ vision of a nation built upon the foundation of decentralized power and participatory democracy.

Central to the Anti-Federalist critique of the Constitution was the specter of unchecked power and the attendant threat of tyranny. Drawing inspiration from the lessons of history, Anti-Federalists warned against the perils of entrusting authority to a select few, advocating instead for a system of government characterized by robust checks and balances. Their proposals, which included measures such as term limits for elected officials and the equitable distribution of power between federal and state governments, sought to temper the allure of absolute power with the sobering reality of accountability.

The tapestry of Anti-Federalist thought encompassed a diverse array of voices, from the lofty rhetoric of statesmen to the quiet resolve of ordinary citizens. Figures such as Patrick Henry and George Mason emerged as luminaries within the movement, their impassioned pleas for liberty reverberating across the political landscape. Yet, the heart of the Anti-Federalist cause beat not in the halls of power but in the hearts of the people, whose collective yearning for self-determination propelled the movement forward. It was in the taverns and town squares, amidst the clamor of debate and dissent, that the true spirit of Anti-Federalism found expression.

In hindsight, the Anti-Federalist movement serves as a testament to the enduring power of dissent in shaping the course of history. While the Constitution ultimately prevailed, the principles espoused by Anti-Federalists found resonance in the adoption of the Bill of Rights, which enshrined essential freedoms and safeguards against governmental overreach. The legacy of their struggle endures, a reminder of the perpetual tension between authority and autonomy, unity and diversity, that lies at the heart of the American experiment.

owl

Cite this page

Echoes of Dissent: The Anti-Federalist Narrative Reimagined. (2024, Jun 01). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/echoes-of-dissent-the-anti-federalist-narrative-reimagined/

"Echoes of Dissent: The Anti-Federalist Narrative Reimagined." PapersOwl.com , 1 Jun 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/echoes-of-dissent-the-anti-federalist-narrative-reimagined/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Echoes of Dissent: The Anti-Federalist Narrative Reimagined . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/echoes-of-dissent-the-anti-federalist-narrative-reimagined/ [Accessed: 4 Jun. 2024]

"Echoes of Dissent: The Anti-Federalist Narrative Reimagined." PapersOwl.com, Jun 01, 2024. Accessed June 4, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/echoes-of-dissent-the-anti-federalist-narrative-reimagined/

"Echoes of Dissent: The Anti-Federalist Narrative Reimagined," PapersOwl.com , 01-Jun-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/echoes-of-dissent-the-anti-federalist-narrative-reimagined/. [Accessed: 4-Jun-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Echoes of Dissent: The Anti-Federalist Narrative Reimagined . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/echoes-of-dissent-the-anti-federalist-narrative-reimagined/ [Accessed: 4-Jun-2024]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

owl

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

  • Newsletters
  • Account Activating this button will toggle the display of additional content Account Sign out

The Best Jim Henson Documentary Is Already out on YouTube

Ron howard’s new disney+ movie offers a flattering portrait, but a little-known youtuber went deeper..

Jim Henson steps in front of the camera, wearing a Steve Jobs–style black turtleneck, a detail that seems to foreshadow the early death we now know awaited him. At the time of the interview, the creator of the multinational, multimedia Muppets franchise must have been in his late 40s, yet his appearance was that of a man already flirting with old age. His long, lanky limbs—seemingly shaped for puppeteering—had grown thin, his trademark beard had faded to a dull gray, and the ever so slightly morose look in his eyes spoke volumes of the conflict that had defined the better part of his adult life: the push and pull between limited time and limitless ambition.

“Are you a puppeteer or an artist?” the interviewer asks. “Any of the above,” Henson mutters in a nasally voice most people recognize as Kermit the Frog’s. Only those close to him would have been able to tell that, behind his friendly chuckling, Henson was having a full-blown Muppet meltdown.

Sign up for the Slate Culture Newsletter

The best of movies, TV, books, music, and more, delivered to your inbox.

Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time.

The truth, as revealed in Ron Howard’s new documentary Jim Henson: Idea Man , which opens on this scene, is that the world’s single most famous puppeteer never wanted to work with puppets. At least, not always. Growing up in Mississippi, he aspired to work in television, and the main reason he created Kermit and the gang was that he felt they could help him secure a spot at his local station. (They did.) For the young Henson, puppeteering wasn’t a childhood passion. It was an impulsive experiment, one that—to his delight as well as his dismay—proved so successful he would never really be able to try anything different. For more than 30 years, his hands had been tied up in his creations, and time was running out.

If Idea Man , which premiered at the 77 th Cannes Film Festival this month and is available Friday on Disney+, has been praised for anything, it is simply for giving the documentary treatment to a giant of American entertainment history, a visionary who—standing shoulder to shoulder with Walt Disney—should have received this treatment a long time ago. But the thing is, Henson has gotten it—not from a Hollywood insider like Howard, but from a YouTube channel called Defunctland. Created by a man who goes by the pseudonym Kevin Perjurer, the channel, which currently boasts 1.8 million subscribers, primarily uploads video essays on theme parks and the artists and business minds behind them, and those have earned it plenty of praise, including from this online magazine and, last month, the Peabodys . But Defunctland’s own ambition has extended beyond amusement rides. Its six-episode series on Henson’s life clocks in at around 180 minutes—more than an hour longer than Idea Man —and in that time, it covers biographical details that Howard doesn’t include, making for a warts-and-all portrait that’s not only more comprehensive and more humanizing but more touching.

Idea Man and the Defunctland series follow the same narrative beats. Both start with Sam and Friends , a puppetry segment for Washington’s WRC-TV that Henson produced alongside his future wife, Jane Nebel, when the two were still in college, before moving on to his reluctant involvement with Sesame Street and his yearslong struggle of putting on The Muppet Show , and end with his sudden death from bacterial pneumonia in 1990, at the age of 53. Defunctland incorporates additional projects that do justice to Henson’s immeasurable impact on pop culture, from Fraggle Rock , an HBO show that celebrates the differences between different Muppet species, to his partnership with George Lucas on the design of Yoda, among other Star Wars characters. Perjurer also dives deeper into Henson’s private life, specifically his relationship with Nebel, a talented puppeteer in her own right who, after helping launch Henson’s career, abandoned her own to fulfill the role of a traditional homemaker, raising their five children while Dad continued playing with his dolls. Where Idea Man —which some critics argue is too corporate of a film to offer a truly complete examination of Henson’s legacy (the Walt Disney Company purchased the Muppets in 2004)—claims that Nebel chose this life, Defunctland suggests that it was to some extent forced upon her.

Both documentaries explore how the unyielding critical and commercial success of the Muppets stifled Henson’s creative freedom. Although he ultimately came to realize that puppetry could be a serious art form and not just slapstick entertainment, he had a hard time convincing others. It is for this reason that he was so hesitant to assist in the development of Sesame Street , a show that, in spite of and because of its record-breaking ratings and educational value, served only to confirm the notion that, in Perjurer’s words, “puppets were for kids in the morning, not adults at night.”

Henson encountered similar hostility when, in an effort to overhaul his cuddly reputation, he and his team had a brief stint performing skits for Saturday Night Live . To the Muppeteers’ disappointment, they weren’t allowed to pen their own material, and the staff writers that were assigned to work with them often responded with sighs and grunts. “I won’t write for felt,” comedian Michael O’Donoghue protested. “Mucking Fuppets,” John Belushi added. The insults would haunt the sensitive Henson to the end of his days.

For a rare glimpse at what Henson could do without a puppet on his arm, look no further than 1965’s Time Piece , an Academy Award–nominated experimental short film about mortality, possibly influenced by the death of his older brother Paul Jr. in a car crash at the age of 23. Though filled with the same sense of playful absurdity that characterizes Henson’s most cherished Muppet skits, Time Piece also demonstrates his skills as an editor and cinematographer—qualities he couldn’t readily express in his puppetry performances. In Idea Man , Howard inserts brief clips of Time Piece whenever Henson’s dreams and integrity are stomped on by the entertainment industry, with Jim the actor airing all the frustration that Jim the person bottled up.

Much of Idea Man ’s footage is stitched together at the same, snappy pace as Time Piece , allowing Howard to narrowly evade the tired talking-heads format most documentaries dutifully follow. Despite working with a fraction of Howard’s budget, Perjurer also manages to pay homage to Henson with aspects of his own editing style: Even the Squarespace ads parody the puppeteer’s wonderfully subversive early commercials for Wilkins Coffee , with one Muppet tormenting the other in myriad sadistic ways for refusing to purchase the relevant product. Although the Defunctland series lacks the production quality of the channel’s more recent output—including a nearly two-hour economic analysis of Disney’s disastrous FastPass system and a “symphonic” documentary about the history of EPCOT—Perjurer’s extensive experience documenting theme parks and other forms of children’s entertainment helped him grasp something about Henson that Howard seems to have overlooked: his dependency on his co-workers.

Henson might have been the driving force behind The Muppets , but his career wasn’t a one-man show. With Nebel acting as talent scout, Henson quickly amassed a team of both established and up-and-coming puppeteers—including Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, and Jerry Nelson—to bring alive their ever-expanding cast of monsters. Far from being mere employees or assistants, these individuals played an active role in shaping the personalities of the characters they played. The dynamic between Sesame Street ’s Bert and Ernie, for example, was an exaggerated foil of the relationship between the grumpy, introverted Oz and the energetic, free-spirited Henson, who—it’s worth noting—went on to encourage his partner to not only direct such Muppet films as The Muppets Take Manhattan but to co-direct Henson’s pet project The Dark Crystal . An artist all his own, Oz would go on to direct classics without Henson, like Little Shop of Horrors .

Although Howard’s documentary does not have the time to go into the development of Sesame Street or The Muppet Show , Defunctland follows these projects from inception to opening night—and, in doing so, greatly alters the viewer’s impression of Henson and his creative process. Where the former suggests, if merely out of necessity, that the only obstacles in the way of getting The Muppet Show on the air were a bunch of skeptical producers, the latter reveals that Henson’s magnum opus went through significant workshopping before it became the series we know and love today. Multiple pilots, including an edgy, innuendo-filled, adult-oriented iteration titled “Sex and Violence,” fell flat with audiences. In the beginning, Kermit wasn’t even involved in the story, his position as the show’s front man falling to several other, less charismatic characters. Just as the Muppets were an ensemble, so too were the Muppeteers, and any documentary that focuses exclusively on the achievements of Henson fails to abide by what Henson stood for as both an artist and a human being: the power of kindness, collaboration, and—to use a word Henson sang about often—connection.

comscore beacon

IMAGES

  1. Trip to Disneyland (500 Words)

    disneyland narrative essay

  2. DISNEYLAND: how to Write a short Paragraph about Disneyland for Beginners

    disneyland narrative essay

  3. The solution of Disneyland Resort Paris Essay.docx

    disneyland narrative essay

  4. Disneyland Or Six Flags Essay

    disneyland narrative essay

  5. A Personal Narrative About Disneyland, the Happiest Place on Earth

    disneyland narrative essay

  6. Disneyland Essay Examples

    disneyland narrative essay

VIDEO

  1. Jungle River Cruise Hongkong Disneyland

  2. 4K WDW Frontierland to the RR Station : The Spectacular Journey of the Festival of Fantasy Parade

  3. Disneyland Secrets, Stories, & Magic

  4. The End of Walt Whitman

  5. Disney Adults Have Gone Too Far

  6. Park visit||🙏🙏🤱⚽🥳

COMMENTS

  1. A Personal Narrative About Disneyland, the Happiest Place on Earth

    "The Happiest Place on Earth" I could name a million gifts that have been incredibly significant to me: an electronic device given by my parents, a book given by my friends, or even a pair of old ballet shoes from my good cousin.

  2. Disneyland: The Happiest Place on Earth

    Disneyland, often referred to as "The Happiest Place on Earth," is a world-renowned amusement park located in Anaheim, California. Since its opening in 1955, Disneyland has become a symbol of joy, magic, and imagination for people of all ages. This essay will explore the reasons why Disneyland is considered the happiest place in Disney ...

  3. Essay On Disneyland

    Narrative Essay About Disneyland My summer was really great this year, we went to Disneyland for my brother and I's birthday. It was a really long drive to get to the Disney hotel that we were staying at, but it was totally worth the wait though. While we were driving we saw a bunch of beautiful and fascinating things.

  4. My Trip to Disneyland: [Essay Example], 646 words GradesFixer

    Disneyland, located in Anaheim, California, first opened its doors on July 17, 1955. It was the first-ever Disney theme park, and its creation marked a significant moment in the history of entertainment and tourism. Walt Disney, the visionary behind Disneyland, aimed to create a place where families could escape from the realities of everyday ...

  5. A Personal Narrative About Disneyland, the Happiest Place on Earth

    "The Happiest Place on Earth" I could name a million gifts that have been incredibly significant to me: an electronic device given by my parents, a book given by my friends, or even a pair of old ballet shoes from my good cousin. However, the gift that has had the most resonance to me and o...

  6. Essay on Disneyland

    250 Words Essay on Disneyland The Magic of Disneyland. Disneyland, the brainchild of Walt Disney, is more than just an amusement park. It is an embodiment of dreams, creativity, and the power of imagination. The park offers a unique blend of technology, storytelling, and nostalgia, making it a global phenomenon. The Concept of Disneyland

  7. Personal Narrative Essay : My Trip To Disneyland

    Personal Narrative Essay : My Trip To Disneyland. When I was six years old, I wanted, in the worst way, to go to Disneyland. I would hope every year that my parents would choose Disneyland as our next family vacation destination. I dreamt of the day I would come back from Disneyland with exciting tales of adventure and a pair of sparkly, ruby ...

  8. Dreaming Up Disneyland

    Nov. 25, 2019. DISNEY'S LAND. Walt Disney and the Invention of the Amusement Park That Changed the World. Those who knew Walt Disney often described him as an uncomplicated man of conventional ...

  9. 57 Disneyland Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

    Disneyland Resort Paris. In the year 2006, the Disneyland Paris had three parks that included; the Disney land Paris, the Disney Studio Park, and the Disney village. We will write. a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts. 810 writers online.

  10. my trip to disneyland essay

    Personal Narrative : My Trip To Disneyland. When i went to Disneyland, I was eight. It was 2013. My mom surprised us at christmas. We walked in and huge luggage bags were under the tree. Mine was pink, and my sister's bag was blue.We were driving to California; my mom's friend, Dee, was driving us.

  11. Disneyland Essay examples

    Decent Essays. 533 Words. 3 Pages. Open Document. Disneyland. The greatest place on the face of the earth is Disneyland. Nowhere else has the magic that a day at Disneyland possesses. From my childhood to my adulthood, I have never experienced a day at Disneyland that didn't put enough joy in my heart to far exceed the admission price.

  12. Disneyland and Culture: Essays on the Parks and Their Influence

    The overwhelming success of Disneyland, the world's first permanent, commercially viable theme park, sparked the creation of a number of other parks throughout the world, from Florida to Japan, France, and Hong Kong. Disneyland's impact is not confined merely to the theme park arena. These essays explore the far-reaching ideology unleashed by Disneyland. Topics include Disney's role in the ...

  13. Personal Narrative Disneyland

    Personal Narrative Disneyland. 1222 Words5 Pages. Disneyland, Family, and my Fearful Self I was half walking, half skipping through the crowded Disneyland paths with the company of my family that day. The clouds covered a few sections of the light blue sky, and the wind gently blew in the tourists' faces turning them a pinkish, even reddish ...

  14. Narrative Essay About Disneyland

    Narrative Essay About Disneyland. My summer was really great this year, we went to Disneyland for my brother and I's birthday. It was a really long drive to get to the Disney hotel that we were staying at, but it was totally worth the wait though. While we were driving we saw a bunch of beautiful and fascinating things.

  15. An Overview Of Disneyland Park: [Essay Example], 558 words

    Disneyland Park is the most popular place for the children. It is located in United States. It is called Disneyland according to Walt Disney. It is owned by Walt Disney Company. It was established in 1955 in California. Disneyland can found in several places such as California, Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, Shanghai and modern in Algeria.

  16. Narrative Essay On Disneyland

    Narrative Essay On Disneyland; Narrative Essay On Disneyland. 1137 Words 5 Pages. Some people may think that Disney is only for young children and their parents. Although, in my experience, this is far from the truth. For me, a day in Disneyland is filled with excitement, wonder, and joy. My dad and I often go to Disneyland, to this day.

  17. Disneyland Descriptive Essay Example (600 Words)

    Allyson Clink English 105 Mrs. Goodwin Narrative Essay First Trip to Disneyland I am a single parent to one little girl. I wanted to do something special for her fourth. Family Vacations to Disneyland. Essay type: Research. Words: 877. Pages: 4. After packing four adults and one child into a small car and traveling for two days we finally ...

  18. Personal Narrative Essay: A Trip To Disneyland

    Personal Narrative Essay: A Trip To Disneyland. 736 Words3 Pages. Finally,I said to myself,my parents and I were going to disneyland. It was a surprise when I heard my friend Ally was going on this trip with my parents and I. At 8:00 we went to go pick her up.A couple hours into the trip we hit traffic.It felt like we were never going to get ...

  19. Personal Narrative On Disneyland

    Personal Narrative On Disneyland. 984 Words4 Pages. It was my first time ever visiting Disneyland. While we were waiting for the ferry my stomach felt like it was was upside down. I felt sick. I had never had a feeling like this. It was the most exciting moment of my entire life. It felt like the ferry was taking as taking hours I couldn't ...

  20. Narrative Essay On Disneyland

    Narrative Essay On Disneyland; Narrative Essay On Disneyland. Improved Essays. 728 Words; 3 Pages; Open Document. Essay Sample Check Writing Quality. Show More "Disneyland" Every year since my eighth birthday, I would ask my parents if we could go to Disneyland. Usually, the answer was no. Yet, I still asked, hoping for a miracle.

  21. Personal Narrative Stories : A Trip to Disneyland

    One time in particular, when I was about six years old, my parents told me we were leaving for Disneyland the next day. I was really excited to go and ride the rides. The next day we started packing our bags for the trip. We all scrambled to get everything we needed for the plane ride and for the trip. We arrived at the airport then went ...

  22. Personal Narrative : My Trip To Disneyland

    Personal Narrative : My Trip To Disneyland. When i went to Disneyland, I was eight. It was 2013. My mom surprised us at christmas. We walked in and huge luggage bags were under the tree. Mine was pink, and my sister's bag was blue.We were driving to California; my mom's friend, Dee, was driving us. We had to stop at her house in vegas for a ...

  23. Personal Narrative Essay: My First Time Going to Disney World

    Personal Narrative Essay: My First Time Going to Disney World. The last few days of 2020 for me were absolutely great! I got to spend them in Florida with my mom and her boyfriend Mike, because they had tickets to Disney World for the beginning of the new year. The few days we had until our days at Disney we stayed at Mike's dad's house and had ...

  24. The Evolution of Animation: From Silent Cartoons to Digital

    This essay is about the evolution of animation from its early beginnings with optical toys to the advanced digital creations of today. It traces key milestones, such as the creation of "Gertie the Dinosaur" in 1914, the rise of Disney's iconic characters and films, and the advent of computer-generated imagery (CGI) with Pixar's "Toy Story."

  25. Is the rise of lesbian cinema representation or just porn for men

    A seven-minute-long sex scene between the two female leads is one of the movie's claims to fame, but instead of being used as a narrative tool to further the story or reveal the inner lives of ...

  26. The Complex Character Dynamics in Kate Chopin's "The Storm"

    Essay Example: Kate Chopin's narrative "The Storm" presents a multifaceted tapestry for the scrutiny of characters, unveiling the intricate emotional and ethical terrains inhabited by its protagonists. Penned in 1898 yet withheld from publication until 1969, the narrative audaciously traverses. Writing Service;

  27. The Resonance of "Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi

    Essay Example: Marjane Satrapi's "Persepolis" stands as a gripping autobiographical graphic narrative delineating the author's upbringing amidst and following the Islamic Revolution in Iran. This opus, bifurcated into dual volumes, proffers a poignant, oftentimes droll, and profoundly intimate

  28. 'The Acolyte' Arrives on Disney+ on Tuesday, Here's How to Stream All

    The series will pull the Star Wars narrative away from the Skywalker saga in order to focus on a new story, one with fresh characters and settings that fans of the franchise have never seen before ...

  29. Echoes of Dissent: the Anti-Federalist Narrative Reimagined

    Essay Example: Within the annals of American history lies a tale of dissent, woven from the threads of individual liberty, state sovereignty, and the quest for accountable governance. ... In reimagining their narrative, we unearth a mosaic of perspectives that enrich our understanding of the complexities inherent in the forging of a young nation.

  30. The Best Jim Henson Documentary Is Already out on YouTube

    Created by a man who goes by the pseudonym Kevin Perjurer, the channel, which currently boasts 1.8 million subscribers, primarily uploads video essays on theme parks and the artists and business ...