Article

Leviathan: Interdisciplinary Journal in English No. 1, 45-59 © The Journal Editors 2017 “Mother! Where are Reprints and permissions: https://tidsskrift.dk/lev DOI: 10.7146/lev.v0i1.96786 you?”: Attachment, Recommendation: Mathias Clasen ([email protected]) Hazard-precaution Human Nature and Pop Culture and Loss Simulation

in Bambi and Finding

Nemo

Laura Bjerre Schwalbe

ABSTRACT

This BA project analyses Disney’s animated feature films Bambi (Alger, et al. 1942) and Finding Nemo (Stanton and Unkrich 2003) from an evolutionary perspective, exploring the adaptive mechanisms that underpin them. The heroes of Disney’s childhood favorites often must survive horrifying threats and traumatic losses. Through the lenses of attachment theory, children’s danger management, and evolutionary film theory, this paper argues that Bambi and Nemo’s cute and fragile appearances and loving relationships with their parents activate children’s biological urge for parental protection. The characters encounter threats that human children are adapted to avoid, but small children endure these scenes because they offer indirect experience with real-life fitness-threatening scenarios. Finally, while evolutionary theory and feminist theory are frequently considered at odds, I discuss how these two approaches in combination can explore the untraditional family patterns in Finding Nemo.

Keywords: Disney, attachment, foreign threats, evolutionary theory, theory of mind, children’s films, feminism.

Corresponding author: Laura Bjerre Schwalbe ([email protected]) Department of English, Aarhus University

46 Brydon Brydon Brother n boy Kenai.

precaution precaution and - nterested nterested in uncovering (Stanton and Unkrich 2003) ce these films have, and the ilms by the Walt Disney Company. Company. Disney Walt the by ilms activate activate children’s young biological for the loss of a parent, which prepares

of the human brain’s functional structures Finding Nemo and so, the groups and roles in society are not and and

– Finding Nemo 42)

and grossing grossing films of their respective release years ( of old and new influences, noting that “some layers of - Introduction (Buck (Buck and Lima 1999), Tarzan’s human parents are violently Bambi Bambi

depict depict helpless, childlike creatures in threatening, scary scenarios, (Alger, (Alger, et al. 19 Tarzan ’s threatening situations. situations. threatening - Bambi Bambi ntent. This is also a typical tendency in f in tendency typical a also is This ntent. Finding Nemo

Why an Evolutionary Approach to WhyFiction? an Evolutionary Approach ism because it claims that human behavior is made up of “underlying, psychological culturalism culturalism as a combination and - and and both films were the highest . One might expect that young children would avoid films with unnerving material, but

– their their favorite childhood cartoon characters or the films they used to watch on repeat. Even 132) Bambi Bambi (Blaise (Blaise and Walker 2003), the young bear Koda’s mother is killed by the huma suggests suggests bio how the human mind is shaped by adaptations developed through evolution is not natural only made up of adaptations selection, developed by our ancestors but in the Pleistocene. Grodal human socially socially constructed (Buss and Schmitt 2011, 769). Evolutionary theory is i literary literary Marx mechanisms” in combination with external inputs as as well as explained common patterns in human behavior, evolutionary theory is still not frequently used as an analytical approach in the humanities. It conflicts with approaches such as feminism and While studies in human evolution have uncovered many children for real world fitness world real for children urge urge for parental protection and act as surrogate experiences and and dangerous environments. Through evolutionary film theory, argue I that attachment theory, children’s hazard evolutionary purpose they serve. purpose they evolutionary that is not the case. Given the importance film and media have in even young children’s lives, it is key to explore the appeal of films with sad material, the influen narrative narrative 2009, Company’s Company’s many works. theof the center at parent a of loss the with films Disney of examples harrowing more the among are These are only a select few examples of the truly noteworthy amount of animated Disney films where where films Disney animated of amount noteworthy truly the of examples few select a only are These the main character’s parent(s) are killed, and the tendency repeats itself through the Walt Disney killed by a leopard in the beginning of the film, leaving Tarzan to be raised by gorillas, and in and gorillas, by raised be to Tarzan leaving film, the of beginning the in leopard a by killed Bear and and dramatically. In Disney While Disney films usually have happy endings, the main characters must go through many highly traumatic and uncomfortable scenarios, frequently involving getting lost or losing a parent suddenly though though many childhood favorites are looked back on with fond memories, many of these films deal co traumatic and sad with Today Today the influence of media starts at an early age, and most people can barely imagine a without world

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. - – 51). - life human - ife and death, and ife olds’ unmistakable olds’ secure secure base effect” -

following being the

month - 12

clinging clinging and

that “ that – “because the mother feeds the child” the feeds mother the “because

up stories instead of real - activate activate innate emotional dispositions,” owing up and family life (2012, 141). The 141). (2012, life family and up owing

describes describes this effect as “the , reveals that they are important concerns of the human the of concerns important are they that reveals

and and even though few of the threats which our ancestors

” repeatedly ators, attachment attachment theory TheoreticalFramework h Carroll argues that literary Darwinism is especially useful in the ological rather than sexual. He proposed He sexual. than rather ological founder of - which is defined as a spatial theory, where both the child and the parent become

, protection from pred

up stories always stem from human imagination and experience. Stories typically revolve typically Stories experience. and imagination human from stem always stories up theory

- Films Films are pleasurable to humans because they “are often made to elicit strong emotional

specially specially in relation to fiction, which consists of made faced faced many years ago are relevant today, attachment still benefits the child’s fitness (1993, 50 l of matter a essentially is protection and attachment parental for urge innate child’s The parent (1993, 56). Importantly, Bowlby notes that the “original, biological purpose of the attachment attachment the of purpose biological “original, that the notes Bowlby 56). Importantly, (1993, parent system … was Ainsworth, Ainsworth, who is co the where child young experiences an invisible limit, when he or she ventures too far away from the attachment uneasy and nervous whenever they are too far away from their loved one (Holmes 1993, 53). Mary of binding the infant to the mother and the mother to the infant” most important responses (Bretherton 1992, 762). These ideas make the foundation of Bowlby’s offspring attachment is bi is attachment offspring function the have that responses instinctual component of number a of up made is behavior attachment libido, a sexual relation. John Bowlby challenged this way of thinking by showing that parent psychoanalysis, the young child is attached to his or her mother, her or his to attached is child young the psychoanalysis, (Bowlby 1970, 77). It was assumed that childhood bonds with a parent were linked with the child’s A mother and her offspring have an intense and unique bond. Few people dare deny this claim, yet many theorists have discussed what this bond is derived from and when it starts. According to

mind, which makes them relevant to in depth. explore them relevant makes mind, which around central themes in human life, including survival, gr survival, including life, human in themes central around reproduced are themes these that fact Furthermore, Furthermore, dealing with fiction does not make evolutionary psychology an unsuitable approach, made since humanities humanities because it integrates several different personality psychology, fields and thus has an of immense amount of knowledge study, to support it (2012, from 129) paleoanthropology to An evolutionary approach can therefore explain why certain films have immense emotional impact on the human mind. Josep responses responses and may be based on stories and situations that even though these dispositions may not be appropriate in a modern environment (Grodal 2009, 6). experiences? e other whereas years of millions of horizon time a with processes biological by determined are culture layers may change fast” (2007a, 16). So why is evolutionary psychology useful in the humanities 47

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48 the lains lains ren have both an innate have ren prey prey encounters. While - ar when faced with strangers or rred rred to as a “theory of mind” (Buss precaution precaution matter regarding Disney’s - play play enables mammal offspring to train - children’s children’s rituals are often connected to , struggles, , frustrations,struggles, and pleasures that

attempt to explain children’s innate fears as part of a system a of part as fears innate children’s explain to attempt believe play humans engage in from a young age is not just - e prey theme in many children’s films (2007a, 17). The theory of - To avoid threats, children and adults develop ritualistic behavior, prey dynamic. dynamic. prey -

describe describe the outcome when a lion encounters a zebra (Barrett 2005, 210). the the desires, emotions calculations

– up stories? Denis Dutton and Joseph Carroll provide useful inputs that help explain - This helps humans indirectly gain experience through other people’s emotions and

day, Western human child rarely has a reason to fear animals, children as young as three as children as animals, young to has fear a reason Western rarely day, human child nto fictional setting, but also take them into the inner lives of imaginary people” (2009, - connected connected to the evolutionary fitness of very young children, and that they become less

precaution precaution system. - So why do these theories about attachment and hazard The The assumption that detachment from a parent is a major fear in young children is supported d of made the frequency of the predator entertainment, entertainment, but useful training. Grodal notes that “chase to hunt and to avoid being prey before being confronted with the real thing,” which further exp actions, which offers knowledge on how to tackle problems without having encountered them before. them encountered having without problems tackle to how on knowledge offers which actions, This also means that the mak desires desires of other individuals,” and this mechanism is often refe 2016, 399). 118). Around of118). the the toage three, children develop ability make “about inferences the beliefs and they they are about characters overcoming realistic problems, “which means stories not only take their audiences i are are about “human life people, real about not are stories many While 117). 2009, (Dutton experience” human of stuff the are worl the importance of fiction to human fitness. Just like any story told in prehistoric times, Disney films implications of the predator implications of the potential result of an encounter with a predator is, child (Buss 2016, 90) That with a predator encounter of an potential result and sophisticated understanding of the vital importance of parental protection as well as the years years old can predict and death as that understand a the to describe this scenario of children outcome also reveals ability Their the modern Not only do young children have an innate system which triggers fe other threats, they also have a highly developed understanding of predator strongly strongly relevant as children grow older, likely because small children lack the ability to defend themselves. anxiety, revolving around the fear of animal attacks, strangers, or separation (2006, 597). Since these Since 597). (2006, separation or strangers, attacks, animal of fear the around revolving anxiety, fears and anxieties change through the child’s development, it is reasonable to assume that they are with the complex study of ritualistic behavior, it is worth noting Boyer and Liénard’s discoveries about the fears this behavior is meant to avoid. Young hazard deal not does paper this While happening. from things bad keep will behaviors specific that believing by Pascal Boyer and Pierre Liénard, who who Liénard, Pierre and Boyer Pascal by geared to detect and avoid inferred threats to their fitness (2006, 595). This system is named minds. so it makes sense that detachment from a parent is among the most central fears in children’syoung

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- – because because of opens opens with

they they “strongly

Bambi Bambi

s attachment theory, to the studio for artists to Finding Nemo “they still may be reluctant be may still “they

–

ecaution” which prepares children an an experiment concerning young Finding Nemo Finding

pr - a capacity present in both adults and

– and

Theory concern concern existential matters of life and death, Through the Lens of Through

st animated feature films to the latest Pixar Bambi and and the Disney Pixar film Finding Nemo Bambi Bambi , where real “deer fawns were brought and and Evolutionary precaution as adaptive functions exhibited in children’s films? As - Attachment in Attachment

Finding Nemo Finding 387). 387). That is, even though the children are aware that the story is not – offspring bonding and hunters as foreign threats, despite the large time large the threats,despite foreign as hunters and bonding offspring

- Bambi Bambi Bambi versized versized eyes and a big head in relation to his body. Furthermore, he and and precaution system, and storytelling as an adaptation are useful theories in - w “Prince of the Forest” into the world. The newborn Bambi is lying close to his threatening situations 30). threatening 2009, (Grodal - heir heir individual release. Regardless of the films’ vast differences, which I also explore Bambi further emphasized by the fact that the main characters are animals animals are characters main the that fact the by emphasized further

–

enforce enforce the strong innate disposition to care for neonates” struggles struggles to stand without falling over, showing inadequate motor skills. Grodal explains that these neotenous features are often seen in characters aimed at young children, adding that fawn, and this certainly has an effect on a young audience. The young deer has exaggerated, childlike childlike exaggerated, has deer young The audience. young a on effect an has certainly this and fawn, features, including cute, o study” study” (Payne 1995, 138). However, Bambi’s features are extreme compared to those of a real deer mother, stealing curious but careful looks at the cheerful forest animals surrounding them. The studio The them. surrounding animals forest cheerful the at looks careful but curious stealing mother, strived for scenic realism in tranquil tranquil images of a dense, green forest inhabited by welcome the different ne animal species, all gathering to While the major themes in much of the films’ appeal to children stem in their images of fragile cuteness. of Cuteness Question A emotional emotional experiments in dealing with attachment and hazard fitness real for gap gap between t parent, as “mental a of but also act losing fears children’s universal reflect young they in this paper, their shared themes of parent ofthemes shared their and and this storyline is seen repeated from the animations. earlie I analyze the Disney film How How are attachment and hazard mentioned there before, many are different Disney films dealing with attachment and the loss of it

children’s children’s hazard purpose and of Disney cinema. evolutionary can explain and the appeal combination, real real to let of go the fantasy” (Anderson and Henderson 2005, 303). Bowlby’ Indeed, time they saw the hunters kill Bambi’s mother,” even though they knew the story requesting well to watch it and (2001, kept children’s attachment to reported attachment thatchildren’s urgency stories. They every same with the two“cried children children’s fictional stories and films as behavioral and emotional training links well with Bowlby’s research on attachment. Alexander and her team conducted 49

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50 fish While Beauty Finding Bambi is careful careful is Bambi elationship elationship between Bambi, Bambi, the r

mothers, who in most cases

this is not a typical tendencythis is not a typical – ely than males to care for their for care to males than ely

factor necessary “to secure young secure young “to necessary factor (Clements (Clements and Musker 1989), the - Bambi, Bambi, , taking no part in the birth of his son. sized eyes, a big, smiling mouth, and - Finding Finding Nemo especially especially

– the cute the the early scenes of scenes early the

pots a barracuda silently staring at them, Marlin does The Little Mermaid Baca Baca 2015, 1969). For example, the rabbit Thumper is life life dynamics between parents and offspring in nature, - - fe, Coral is especially caring towards their future children. developing “mental models of parental care,” supportingdeveloping their of parental models care,” “mental young children’s young attachment to nd in Disney cinema in general. in Like many other Disney films, such as like like facial features, including round, over - a (Trousdale and Wise 1991) and ere ere the child will not venture out beyond a certain limit. An interesting note is the role of can be seen as mimicking the real n” n” (Holcomb, Latham, and Fernandez Although mothers mothers portrayed the main are Although as in caregivers The films not only express experiences of attachment through their cute characters, cute and their fragile through of attachment express experiences films not only The . Although the wildlife featured in the film is clearly based on real animals, the young clown young the animals, real on based clearly is film the in featured wildlife the Although . Bambi Bambi Finding Nemo (2009, (2009, 138). Moments later, when the couple s Brydon proposes that Marlin does not do any less parenting than Coral, she notes that Marlin appears appears Marlin that notes she Coral, than parenting less any do not does Marlin that proposes Brydon his parenting” of unnaturalness to a perceived “pointing father, a as the role himself from to distance When asked what to name their children, Marlin is indifferent, suggesting that they name “this side JuniorMarlin Junior,” this Coral side whereas and states that Coral she likes the name Nemo. couple couple Marlin and Coral, who have just moved into an anemone with hundreds of tiny eggs. While both parents are eager to start a family li father father and offspring is especially central and detailed. The opening scene features the clownfish and the Beast main character’s central parental figure is the father, but in in these these visions also support in comparison to fathers. children of their fitness in the invest more offspring,” offspring,” which is a tendency seen throughout the animal kingdom (2016, 196). While this choice in frequently frequently reprimanded by his mother, who often makes him recite wise words from his father, but lik more far are “females Buss, to According shown. never is father the caring. Conversely, “the fathers in the film are revered although they take minimal part in raising the raising in part take minimal they although revered are film the in fathers “the Conversely, caring. childre Even Even though the forest is filled with different animal families, the mothers usually are nurturing and Bambi’s Bambi’s father, referred to as “The Great Prince of the silhouette of the is father seen looking overstoically the forest Forest.” During the nativity scene, the animals animals in the forest. This behavior is in tune with Bowlby’s definition of attachment as a spatial theory, wh but also from their relationships with main caregivers. In In caregivers. main with relationships their from also but to stay close to his mother, and he only explores his surroundings under careful supervision of other viewer’s identification with [him]” (Whitley 2014, identification with 217). viewer’s [him]” (Whitley eyebrows. eyebrows. These features not only give Nemo and other sea creatures the ability to express human Nemo give also they expressions; facial through emotions Nemo Nemo has human parents’ reactions, but rather a way of a reactions, but rather parents’ experiences of attachment to a parent (2009, 30). Similar observations can be made from children (2009, 29). These reactions to cuteness are not merely young children’s imitations of their

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– Bambi Bambi Finding oice. Whenever oice.

Finding Nemo Finding and children. children.

– the protagonist never gets to e

, holding his fin on the ‘streets’ of Bambi Bambi The The fragility of the small egg, now (with mothers as the main provider of care) care) of provider main the as mothers (with

Finding Nemo, acter grows up in an environment with danger danger with environment an in up grows acter sorrow and grief are innate adaptations related adaptations innate are grief and sorrow s innate knowledge about parents as a secure base, offspring attachment is made apparent, but - have parental attachment as a central theme, and the viewer the and theme, central a as attachment parental have Threats to Fitness in to Fitness Threats

– But But why do these films have such an appeal? To shed light on the

Finding Nemo Nemo Finding home for another year. While Nemo is initially annoyed by his father’s Bambi. Bambi. and and

as well. In both films, the main char main the films, both In well. as the viewer gets a sense of the emotional bond between the titular character and his Bambi Bambi

ocial ocial cohesion and emphasizing the importance of attachment” (2007b, 101). That is,

Bambi . That is, the vital importance of parent in also challenges the traditional image of attachment of image traditional the challenges also

Films like like Films After After Coral’s death, Marlin takes on the role of the overprotective parent who dislikes not Finding Nemo Nemo Finding

he he also is shown cradling Nemo’s face in his fins, grooming him lurking around every tree or coral reef, and these threats are emphasized frequently. The main parental main The frequently. emphasized are threats these and reef, coral or tree every around lurking their their relationship with their parents, but hazards and foreign threats play important roles in and From Bullets to Deathly Bites Bites to Deathly Bullets From In the previous section I examined the evolutionary purpose of images of fragile, cute creatures and

humans have evolved adaptations aimed at keeping people interested in stories about attachment, and attachment, about stories in interested people keeping at aimed adaptations evolved have humans primary audienc is of Disney’s to important the fitness interest an such appeal of these attachment films, Grodal explains that “ that explains Grodal films, attachment these of appeal to creating s Nemo Nemo known from films like indirectly indirectly experiences this attachment through visions of young, fragile creatures and their caring parents. behavior detached detached from his parent mirror young children’ rebellious Nemo’s of results the by clear made is base this beyond wandering of consequence the and Nemo Nemo senses that his life is in jeopardy, he desperately calls for his father, even when it has been established that Marlin is nowhere nearby. These scenes showing a young, childlike character Moreover, when a diver catches him, he still frequently calls for his father in a scared v scared a in father his for calls frequently still he him, catches diver a when Moreover, that he should stay at overprotectiveness, he becomes nervous when his new friends dare him to swim into open water. the reef, and so forth” (Brydon 2009, 139). Like in Bowlby’s attachment theory, Marlin is nervous suggesting eagerly him), from away be must Nemo (where school starting Nemo of prospect the about having his offspring nearby. While some of Marlin’s physical interaction with Nemo is through play, through is Nemo with interaction physical Marlin’s of some While nearby. offspring his having “ care than his female partner. than his female care with a crack in the shell, makes Nemo appear even smaller and responsibility more now in in the hands need of of a father protection who moments before appeared to provide less parental mother mother through the scenes picturing his early life, in meet his mother, but the sense of pain and attachment remains. While not express worry about the safety of their eggs, but wants to immediately attempts to protect save Coral. the eggs, Unlike leading to him, the death Coral of herself and all but one of the eggs. 51

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- 52 the eful

– where where the

While this notion notion this While Bambi, Bambi,

screen by a hunter's a by screen - discover discover fresh spring grass threatening threatening dangers in nature. - (2007b, 103). (2007b, he rain quickly intensifies and

ds him and helps him away from oncerning attachment and hazard c Bambi portrayed portrayed vividly in

precaution system, the exploring appeal -

Bambi Bambi screen screen rifle. In this way, the film confirms the - hunting film, it also emphasizes the importance of - mbi’s mother takes him to the meadow in the summer, he long long shot against the enormous, dark forest covered in snow. The

as as a powerful anti in relation to children’s hazard tory deer rule the forest (Payne 1995, 141). Grodal notes that “children’s Grodal 1995, 141). that “children’s notes deer the forestrule (Payne tory the role of prey being the focus in the focus being prey of the role

– st vivid with encounter ofthe reality death and separation, ranking theamong Bambi precaution, detachment from a parent is among young children’s most powerful - Finding Nemo draws draws a line between perceived threats and actual, life diegetic sound of the song “Little April Showers.” T - and as a place filled with danger, but whereas thunder is not truly hazardous, Bambi is unaware of unaware is Bambi hazardous, truly not is thunder whereas but danger, with filled place a as

At this point I have touched on many aspects of Bambi Bambi significantly differentsignificantly outcomes and effects. theIn following analyze I the portrayal of dangers Bambi Bambi fears fears because of its immediate threat to their fitness. This is calling calling for his mother (Hastings 1996, 54). According to children’s Boyer hazard and Liénard’s observations on viewer viewer does not get to see the hunter or the mother’s dead body, instead “the loss is shown through wo Bambi’s and music background melancholy the through clearer even made symbolism” visual to the thicket, but the mother does not return. In the following shot, Bambi appears more tiny and vulnerable than ever, shown in a on the meadow. When the mother notices the hunters in the forest, Bambi barely manages to escape top collective early childhood traumas,” and it is not hard to understand why (1996, 62). After barely After 62). (1996, why understand to hard not is it and traumas,” childhood early collective top surviving a long, cold winter in the forest, Bambi and his mother finally scene where the mother dies. King notes that for many children, “that killing (off killing “that children, many for that notes King dies. mother the where scene rifle shot) was their fir precaution precaution without having discussed what is arguably its most iconic and memorable scene supports the view of learning how surroundings to know predators. and hunters and to tackle getting your stories deal with vital mammalian concerns: to cope with attachment in jeopardy and to master the prey” and of hunter roles true true danger of the forest, namely hunters. Interestingly, there appears the nonpreda and predators, to be no signs of animal the meadow, barely escaping shots fired from an off the true threats found on the meadow. As signs of hunters appear on the meadow, Bambi gets lost from his mother and exposed to danger. Bambi’s father runs towar rush out on the mightmeadow. There be danger.” theseDuring two consecutive the scenes, forest is shown thunderstorms. thunderstorms. Conversely, when Ba excitedly runs towards the meadow, but his mother quickly stops him, explaining: “You must never develops into a thunderstorm as the music becomes louder and more dramatic. Bambi, clinging to his to clinging Bambi, dramatic. more and louder becomes music the as thunderstorm a into develops mother and hiding his face, is terrified, mirroring how young children are often scared of After After Bambi’s day of exploration, Bambi looks curiously at the raindrops falling outside, followed by the non of children’s films with scary and uncomfortable and with scary films material. of children’s with in figures are protective of their children, making effort to keep the ones young out of harm’s way, but

ISSUE 1 | LEVIATHAN | FALL 2017 o Bambi Bambi teristics teristics are are linked to

arlin arlin and Dory, deals deals with, Pixar uses

s of a parent, getting lost, getting parent, a of s ionary ionary psychology offers goes goes on to discuss foreign Bambi Bambi precaution mechanisms, Marlin’s mechanisms, precaution - , and even though Coral and the eggs are Finding Nemo Marlin. Marlin. When Marlin and Nemo exit the anemone, in first spots the barracuda, it is shown in long shot

o larger narrative patterns” (Grodal 2007b, 102). Since many bi’s mother dies two thirds into the film as a way of validating validating of way a as film the into thirds two dies mother bi’s in general (and in the death scene in particular) rtrayed as bloodthirsty predators. While these sharks have many of the of many have sharks these While predators. bloodthirsty as rtrayed Bambi Bambi deals deals with many of the same hazards that predator responses as the barracuda, the sharks do not intend to eat the fish, fish, the eat to intend not do sharks the barracuda, the as responses predator - . The barracuda which kills Coral and the eggs has many of the charac the of many has eggs the and Coral kills which barracuda The . stories with content linked to high order goals central for survival should dangerous traffic. Rather than triggering hazard triggering than Rather traffic. dangerous

Finding Finding Nemo

screen, the ocean still appears to be a dangerous, threatening place. the ocean dangerous, threatening a screen, to be still appears ents, ents, and the loss of a parent. As previously discussed, children young are drawn to - sea creatures often po often creatures sea Finding Nemo Finding

– On the basis of the sad and scary opening scene, While

but want to partake in a vegetarian lifestyle. Likewise, when a whale swallows M sharks sharks anti triggering cues same and and foreign threats. However, many of these perceived threats are proven to be less dangerous than first anticipated by him. On his search for Nemo, Marlin and his new friend Dory encounter three communicates many of the central fears in young children, including the los the including children, young in fears central the of many communicates society with busy, with society Marlin paranoid to viewer. the appears and the clownfish a have humorous effect, dangers perceived Marlin Marlin asks his son what the most important thing to know about the ocean is. Nemo answers: “It’s not safe.” The two swim through the coral reef, which mimics an urban neighborhood in human threats threats through the nervous and overprotective the film plays heavily on young viewers’ hazard defenses off eaten modern modern humans, teeth are a common fear in many narratives, which suggests that “the fear of teeth is … probably supported by an innate adaptation” (Grodal 2007a, 19). Within its first five minutes, against against the ocean, its dark body almost indistinguishable. Up close it has rows of sharp, white teeth, moments later seen snapping repeatedly at Marlin. Even though teeth are rarely a relevant threat t directly directly at Marlin and Coral, a cue that prompts antipredator responses in other species, and likely also in humans (Barrett 2005, 208). When Marl that trigger antipredator responses in both children and adults. The barracuda has its gaze pointed the survival training which the young deer goes through, Coral’s death takes place in the very first of scene them in a different way. Whereas Bam Whereas way. different a in them survival, young viewers can cope with these painful visions because doing so ultimately benefits their benefits ultimately so doing because visions painful these with cope can viewers young survival, own fitness. integrate integrate such negative experiences int of the unpleasant themes in the explanation that “ mobilize mental functions that override reactions of avoidance created by painful events, and though though the film scares and upsets them. Given the uncomfortableconsuming material must serve a beneficial purpose. Evolut film’s immense popularity, the pleasure of environm deeryoung loses his mother during the bitter, cold winter, when his survival is most at stake. In this threatening strangers, dangerous once: at all culminate children to threats pressing most the all scene, 53

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54 theory

joyful, joyful, adult

haracters, so stories

Finding Nemo Finding ul atmosphere is immediately and because of its visions of threatening of visions its of because

nnate adaptations supporting the fear the supporting adaptations nnate Bambi Bambi ed ed his students why they like stories, they or, if audiences should find themselves in a also also creates a sharp contrast between innate appeal to young children because of their themes their of because children young to appeal Finding Nemo Finding e e viewer’s adaptations to survival. When dramatic cause cause Bambi’s mother’s death along with the deaths of Finding Nemo Finding Nemo Nemo Finding plays plays on th mother’s passing. Instead, he passing. he on togoes hermother’s partner, save Instead, find a Bambi Bambi

and and risk surrogate experience” (Dutton 2009, 110). (Dutton experience” risk surrogate - Bambi Bambi ent, and the pain and trauma associated with these losses are not only cost, low Finding Nemo - killers; they also serve important adaptive functions that can be highly useful in the in useful highly be can that functions adaptive important serve also they killers; hreats to hreats survival. - entist’s entist’s spoiled niece Darla, an antagonist that challenges the viewer’s perception of scene scene where Bambi is alone in the snow seems long and painful, the film does not dwell

, the viewer can relate to the thoughts, feelings and experiences of the c Young viewers are invested in a story like like story a in invested are viewers Young Children’s films not only give children the opportunity to indirectly experience serious trauma; serious experience indirectly to opportunity the children give only not films Children’s Bambi shows that it is possible to cope with this loss and move on from it. on from and move shows that it with this is possible loss Bambi to cope from a forest fire, and continue his father’s legacy. The vision of Bambi’s sadness and pain associated pain and sadness Bambi’s of vision The legacy. father’s his continue and fire, forest a from with the loss of his mother emphasizes the importance of parental attachment, but the heartbroken, heartbroken, young Bambi has been exchanged with an adolescent, happy, and strong Bambi, who weighed down not seem his does by the music is gloomy and the screen fades to black, but the sorrowf the later, Moments spring. in the happily chirping birds the sound of cheerful and music by followed on his tragic experience for long. When Bambi’s father finds him to tell him of his mother’s passing, mother’s his himof tell to him finds father When Bambi’s long. for experience tragic his on mother, mother, he ultimately must take care of himself after her death, and this resonates with the viewer. While the they they also offer a range of different choices about behavi similar situation in the real world. Although Bambi is taught the importance of staying close to his ultimately offer “low offer ultimately experienced by the fictional characters, but also by the viewer to an extent. Through his or her or his Through extent. an to viewer the by also but characters, fictional the by experienced of mind are are far from pleasurable (2013, 48). Both Bambi and Nemo experience temporary detachment or permanent from a par real real world. When literary scholar Jonathan Gottschall ask answered that they give them pleasure, but popular children’s stories revolve around scenarios that Disney Disney films, with their captivating storylines time entertaining and loveable characters, not just function as A Lesson to Learn: The Adaptive Functions of of Functions The Adaptive Learn: Lesson to A fears t actual and fears of being eaten. Thus, both Thus, eaten. being of dealing with vital threats to fitness, but predators with sharp teeth, which are cues triggering children’s i children’s triggering cues are which teeth, sharp with predators survival survival is the d danger. music plays in the background as Nemo is caught by a human, detachment from the Marlin, not the trauma human as a is predator. Ironically, the most linked urgent threat to to Nemo’s Nemo’s Whereas Whereas the hunters introduced in many other animals, Marlin is certain that they will not survive, but the whale instead helps the fish on land in Sydney.

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offer offer means

Nemo Nemo learns how to

– orientation orientation in attitudes, free way, and children’s ht him to avoid. Whereas to avoid. ht him - – Finding Nemo and and ight on the human condition in ately benefit their fitness. benefit their ately Bambi Bambi truths is problematic, as it fails to consider to fails it as problematic, is truths emotional emotional experiment on how to co - activate activate children’s young innate adaptations er, er, but “animals in stories … are invariably stand is a mental Finding Finding Nemo 117). 117). Carroll notes that the most important psychological - from from scary sharks to hungry seagulls

and and – ist Gad Saad makes claims against the scientific use of feminist nary film theory, but what nary theare potentials of evolutionary theory Finding Nemo Bambi Bambi her her pets. These threats to survival are very different from the threats Limitations of Evolutionary Limitations of Evolutionary Film Theory Evolutionary behavioral Evolutionary scient Similar to how Bambi must continue his life without the support of his mother, Nemo must onal onal responses, values and beliefs” (2006, 43). That is, Room for Feminism? Room forFeminism? A Discussion of the and Possibilities lutionary lutionary theory and feminism may never agree on whether gender roles are enforced by the

is its ability to explain human behavior through thousands of years. He calls an approach such as uncritically referring to scattered observations as universal as observations scattered to referring uncritically theory evolutionary of advantage the that argues Saad observations. these to exceptions numerous the “universal “universal truth” about male and female mating strategies from an evolutionary perspective (2012, 112). While evolutionary theory can explain many common phenomena about human behavior, referring referring to examples of popular proverbs and song lyrics, he states that these examples po theory in his article “Nothing in Popular Culture Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution.” of Evolution.” By Except inLight Sense the “Nothing Makes in his in Popular Culture article theory combination. combination. Although I have chosen to represent each field with just one scholar, I acknowledge views of study. the entire field person cannot represent of an attitudes single and that a fully patriarchy, these two approaches may on the comparing different these not be so incompatible. stances two approaches By patriarchy, debate, I argue that these two differing approaches can help shed l frequently frequently considered mutually exclusive in their approaches evo to popular culture. Even though and dispositionsand through evolutio in combination with very different approaches? Evolutionary theory and feminist theory are This paper has explored how

of practicing how to cope with painful or challenging situations in a risk to use ultim these like can to putexperiences surrogate ability function function of stories “is to serve as instruments of subjective orientation emoti them more salient in the mind of a viewyoung for human beings” (Dutton 2009, 115 challenging challenging situations. The fact that the main characters are animals makes the film no less relevant making exotic, and exciting are surroundings their and animals The perspective. evolutionary an from humans have evolved adaptations to avoid, so rather than being an instruction manual on how to handle these specific dangers, independently independently handle trouble such as getting stuck in an air ventilator or being gifted to a little girl prone to accidentally killing Marlin Marlin faces the dangers of the sea taug has Marlin nature than those different completely of a problems tackle 55

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56 hat hat can be Finding 07a, 20). Bambi Bambi Finding Nemo and and pts to explain Marlin’s Finding Nemo and and socialization regarding gender

ry ry is useful in combination with such ir differences, evolutionary film theory and olitically olitically correct family patterns in

a much more recent film. Grodal attem re re nurturing paternal figures are the norm. Whereas Grodal proposes . She argues that evolutionary theory’s tendency to make broad Finding Nemo, 110) especially especially when it comes to the roles parents fill in the films. The parents in -

science science approach” because it is bound to a certain time or culture (2012, 115). – - n “anti

match evolutionary psychology’s predictions on parents’ willingness to invest in children, but but children, in invest to willingness parents’ on predictions psychology’s evolutionary match Although Although I have demonstrated how common tendencies in , feminist theory can explore and discuss those individual differences that characterize the film’s the characterize that differences individual those discuss and explore can theory feminist , strates strates a break with those traditional family structures that are at risk of being naturalized by popular culture produced by the human mind. the human produced by culture popular but it is important to keep a critical eye. Despite the feminist theory are not mutually exclusive, but offer complementary ways of understanding the Nemo psychology, to additions invaluable offered have evolution human in Studies place. and time specific theory can identify and explain how shared behavioral tendencies are visible in a film such as as such film a in visible are tendencies behavioral shared how explain and identify can theory certain certain culture or time, I propose that evolutionary approaches because theo popular culture is always a product of its own time. Where evolutionary film illu theory. Where Saad evolutionary denies the potential of a it feminist approach because is bound to a can be a result of the changing family patterns in modern society, the film does not demonstrate these demonstrate not does film the society, modern in patterns family changing the of result a be can “universal truths” that Saad claims can be found everywhere in popular culture. Instead, the film in any way, which can potentially help normalize fathers’ engagement with children (2009, 142). Even though it may be true that the diverse and p in Dory, it is worth noting that Dory is much less nurturing and maternal than Marlin (20 questioned not is behavior nurturing his and natural, appears “mothering” Marlin’s that notes Brydon which which illustrates a society whe that Nemo’s struggle for reattachment with his father indirectly becomes a search for a new mother (2007a, (2007a, 20). However, after Coral’s death, Marlin several encounters caring but fathers, no mothers, that is not the case in role as a single father through an increase in the divorce rate, making fatherly care more probable feminist approach Bambi explained through evolutionary film theory, there are also aspects that could be illuminated from a approaches approaches are viewed as “antithetical to political goals” (Buss and Schmitt 2011, 770). So, in w meet? these ostensibly opposite stances can way mothers mothers (2002, 93 generalizations can ultimately limit the potential for change in society. That is, evolutionary roles. roles. Susan Franzblau argues that Bowlby’s attachment theory is especially problematic because it become to urge the feel not might who women, of oppression conceals and romanticizes, naturalizes, From a feminist perspective, evolutionary theory is at risk of essentializing the most common patterns common most the essentializing of risk at is theory evolutionary perspective, feminist a From in human behavior, leaving little room for individual differences feminism a

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ec Finding Nemo threatening situations situations threatening ill throughout human - case, especially mothers). especially case, and and Bambi Bambi theory and feminist theory may Bambi’s Bambi’s o young children. Children respond

especially especially t

– s in the dark, and the viewer endures these unpleasant scenes because

– are are products of. However, with or without the inputs of Conclusion

Finding Nemo and and

Bambi Bambi and fragile characters encounter many different types of fitnessof types different many encounter characters fragile and

emotional experiments, enabling children to test their evolved adaptations, vicariously try out try vicariously adaptations, evolved their test to children enabling experiments, emotional - As shown, evolutionary film theory offers explanations for many common tendencies in ather. ather.

from from cynical hunters to scary barracudas

behavior in the future. in the behavior beloved beloved Disney favorites can emotionally influence children in the present and possibly aff which which films like feminism, evolutionary film theory remains a useful approach for understanding how the most always always be considered polar opposites by some, I suggest that evolutionary film theory has room for time, and place specific the of lens the through roles questionsgender and discusses that approach an popular popular culture such as Disney films, but aspects like gender roles in Disney can benefit from also being explored from a feminist perspective. While evolutionary or f mental unexpected challenges, and, importantly, experience their most feared scenario: losing their mother a a crisis by following Bambi and Nemo adaptations throughto avoid sharp teeth their and staring eye ups and downs. Humans have evolved doing doing so helps them practice the dynamics tackle to how of on experience surrogate gain can children hunter perspective, evolutionary an From evolution. and prey, a vital sk – visions target evolved adaptations for attachment to parents (and in (and parents to attachment for adaptations evolved target visions cute the While of tragic material has such an immense appeal these because parents their with relationship and their animals clumsy and cute of images to strongly “Mother! Where are “Mother! of the cold you?” When fragile the image and Bambi forcalling his mournfully mother resonates with a viewer, theories of evolutionary psychology can help explain why this type

57

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58

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Sex Roles Sex 13 (4): 13 (4):

edition. edition.

nd 46 (2): 129 2

Journal of Journal 9507.00171.

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Behavioral and Brain Behavioral

ed. ed. H. Collins,Lynn Society & Animals Society &

10.1111/1467 Narration and Spectatorship in

1649.28.5.759. Mother Nemo.” in Finding

edition. New York: Routledge. Routledge. York: New edition. -

The Handbook The of Evolutionary nd 2 Walt Disney DVD. Productions. Walt Disney

398. doi: 2001. ”Young Emotional 2001. ”Young Children’s -

Walt Disney Productions. DVD. Walt Disney

3. 10.1037/0012 - 10.1080/09589230902812448. 10.1007/BF02118173. 5th edition. New York: Routledge. 5th Routledge. York: edition. New 110. Westport: Praeger Publishers. 110. Westport: Praeger

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