Racial issues in Aladdin
In Aladdin,despite all characters being Arabic, the character illustrations are all very diverse…
E.g. Jafar having a very dark complexion and being the most villainous… Aladdin having a very pale complexion and being the heroin. Jafar has an English accent, Aladdin is American. These create a correlational pattern within Disney suggesting that the darker you are, the more evil you are. And the English are villainous whereas the Americans are practically Saints!
Character | Race & accent | Accent | Film Role | Personality | Appearance/Features | Extra info. |
Jafar | Arabian | Strong English accent, very deep toned and well spoken. | Villain | Deceiving, cunning, greedy. Attitude of superiority. | Obvious ethnic traits: permanent cunning facial expression, sinister eyes, darker complexion, hooked nose, defined face structure & unusual facial hair design. | More greed for wealth & power than any other character. Heartlessly willing to take advantage of Jasmine& the Sultan |
Aladdin | Arabian | Young American accent | Regular street boy, hero | Free spirited, humble, elusive | Fresh faced, pale complexion, minimal Arabic features, no facial hair | An Arabic orphan who must steal food to live. Has similarities with Disney’s Robin Hood. |
Jasmine | Arabian | Feminine American accent | Princess of Agrabah | Sweet, innocent, intelligent | Typical attractive young Princess. Revealing outfit. | Kept in the Palace all her life. |
Sultan | Arabian | Elderly English accent | Ruler of Agrabah | Socially & culturally powerful, loyal Father | Palest complexion of all characters. | Reasonably gullible, his age shows for he seems quite fragile & easy to take advantage of. |
Notice the features in the characters appearances…
This Youtube clip highlights many reasons as to why Disney is accused of many criticisms in the film Aladdin..