The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research
Volume 17 The Review Article 3
2016
Swimming for Inclusion
Alexa Draman St. John Fisher College, [email protected]
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Abstract This paper attempts to demonstrate how disabilities are portrayed to children through Walt Disney's popular film Finding Nemo. Through this film, children are exposed to inclusiveness which can then transfer to their overall impressions of disability in society. This film ultimately spins the negative connotation associated with disability and portrays it positively as an exceptionality.
Keywords Education, Disability, Inclusion, Children, Film, Ideology
This article is available in The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research: https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/ur/ vol17/iss1/3 Draman: Swimming for Inclusion
Swimming for Inclusion
Alexa Draman
“When life gets you down, do you wanna overprotective father who was apprehensive know what you’ve got to do? Just keep to let Nemo venture off on his own due to swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, his “poor” swimming ability. Contributing swimming, just keep swimming. What do to Nemo’s rebel-like behavior, Marlin’s we do? We swim, swim” (Stanton). This expectations for Nemo are low and limiting. famous line was first uttered by friendly and Despite his father’s wishes, Nemo ventures bubbly blue tang fish named Dory in Walt off into the depths of the sea and gets Disney’s 2003 hit children’s movie, Finding captured by a human scuba diver. Nemo. For over a decade, Finding Nemo has Throughout the duration of the film, the been a staple of children’s lives everywhere. viewer is allowed to follow Marlin on his It has become so popular that a sequel of journey to find Nemo. On this journey, this movie, entitled Finding Dory, is set to Marlin teams up with Dory to bring Nemo be released in June 2016. Most children are back to the coral reef despite the many drawn to the compelling story of a clown obstacles they encountered along the way. fish, named Nemo, who ventures off from his dad, Marlin, while at school and quickly Rhetorical Aspects of Finding Nemo gets lost. Finding Nemo takes the audience on Marlin’s journey in search of his son. To much of society, Finding Nemo is a However, a critical viewer can analyze this simple children’s movie which takes the movie as it displays Nemo and Dory’s audience on a journey to reunite a young exceptionalities. Nemo has a physical fish with his father. However, upon deeper impairment of a “lucky fin”, and Dory has analysis, this film examines the an intellectual impairment of short term commonplaces housed in a norming memory loss. With the substantial ideology. An ideology is “any body of integration of positive contributions to beliefs, doctrines, values held by a group or society, the 2003 Walt Disney Pixar film, a culture” (Crowley & Hawhee 352). A Finding Nemo, exposes young children group of people who have similar views and inclusiveness in the realms of society. beliefs concerning a specific ideology are bound together by a commonplace. By So, what is Finding Nemo actually about? focusing on Dory and Nemo’s strengths in society, the creators of this film work Finding Nemo tells the tale of a happy and against the commonplace that Nemo and curious clown fish named Nemo. Unlike all Dory are “disabled.” Instead, they promote of the other fish in the ocean, Nemo had a the belief that everyone has the ability to be physical disability of a small fin which an active member of society. Nemo calls his “lucky fin.” Occurring at birth, Nemo had to learn to adapt to his At the very beginning of the film, Nemo “lucky fin.” To the critical viewer, it is and Marlin discuss Nemo’s “lucky fin.” evident that Nemo’s father, Marlin, had a Marlin argues with Nemo that Nemo is not a difficult time adapting to what he sees as strong swimmer because of his impairment. Nemo’s deficit. Marlin was portrayed as an Marlin does not want Nemo venturing off
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because of his lack of skill. However, Nemo Representation of Disability,” author Ann tells Marlin that his “lucky fin” was Millett speaks to the inclusion portrayed in something he was born with. He chooses to this film by stating, “Disability is presented defy Marlin and ventures off regardless of as a socially constructed quality, rather than Marlin’s wishes. In this scene, the creators a state of the body to which value judgments of this film display Nemo’s strengths rather are assigned” (Millet 3). To break this than limiting his exceptionality. Instead of social construction, the creators of Finding viewing his physical impairment as a Nemo portray this inclusion in two very limitation, Nemo embraces his impairment different ways. They first characterize the as a part of who he is. Stating that his “lucky main protagonists as having an fin” was something he was born with due to exceptionality. In prior movies, there is very a barracuda attack shows that he had no little light shone on individuals with control over it. Nemo has two options. He exceptionalities. The light that is shone is could sulk over his impairment or he could often one of pity or hatred such as in The use his impairment as a strength as a tiny Hunchback of Notre Dame. However, the swimmer. Nemo chooses the second option creators of Finding Nemo portray Nemo and and defies all odds against his impairment. Dory, through their actions, as able-bodied individuals. Ann Millett states, “Nemo is The creators of Finding Nemo do an marked as visually and socially different, yet exceptional job of showing Nemo and hardly inadequate. Disability becomes part Dory’s strengths throughout the progression of Nemo's personal history and social of the film. The creators choose to focus on identity, visually marking him as a survivor” Dory’s strengths, such as her ability to read, (Millett 2). Through the depiction of Nemo rather than the characteristics that may be and Dory’s positive contributions, the perceived as her weaknesses. Marlin relies creators of this film embrace the values of solely on Dory to read the address written on inclusiveness. They enable Nemo and Dory the diver’s mask in order to find Nemo. This to contribute to society despite the social is a skill that Dory possesses and that all of constructions attached to their disability the other fish lack. Dory’s reading ability label which enhances the belief of becomes a significant contribution because inclusivity. it is the main reason Marlin is able to find Nemo. Coming from the the belief of Enforcing inclusiveness, Marlin and Dory’s inclusion, the writers choose to portray to relationship throughout the entire film is one the audience that an individual, or in this that the majority of viewers come to adore. case a fish, with an exceptionality can be Most writers tend to focus more on a just as valuable as an individual without an relationship grounded in commonality than exceptionality. Every person has their own one that is not. Finding Nemo displays a strengths and is able to be an active member different type of relationship through Marlin of society; however, as a society, we must and Dory. Dory does have an intellectual be sure we enable each individual’s impairment and Marlin does not. Despite strengths to shine. their differences, Marlin and Dory have a very close relationship. Firm believers in Individuals who believe in inclusion believe inclusiveness would argue that Dory and all individuals, disabled or not, should be Marlin’s relationship translates to the wider mainstreamed into everyday society. In her realms of society. Supporting their common 2004 article entitled, “‘Other’ Fish in the belief, these believers would use this film as Sea: ‘Finding Nemo’ as an Epic a positive artifact to argue that individuals
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without exceptionalities can befriend those Despite Nemo’s physical impairment, the with exceptionalities. There is not one writers and directors enable Nemo to make individual that is better than the other these two significant contributions in the because they both contribute equally to a film. Both of these contributions speak the relationship. Firm believers of inclusiveness language of inclusiveness. The director would hope that this notion of inclusivity allows the viewer to see through the eyes of would transfer to younger children as they an individual with a disability which they begin to develop and form relationships with may not be accustomed to. Andrew Stanton others. clearly illustrates the belief of inclusivity through a fictional world when enabling Inclusiveness Ideology Portrayed by Nemo to make significant contributions to Nemo society. Published in the Disability Studies Quarterly, the first journal in the field of Director and writer Andrew Stanton devotes disability studies, Millet writes that, the majority of his film to detailing “Finding Nemo paints disability as a inclusiveness as portrayed by the flavorful ingredient in cultural diversity--- protagonist, Nemo. Once Nemo is trapped both remarkable, yet necessarily every day, by the diver, the viewer is able to see how perhaps even disguised in the tides of life” Nemo would handle surviving alone. When (Millet 2). Nemo’s actions enrich Nemo is trapped in the ocean, he is taken to inclusiveness in that Stanton allows the live in a fish tank in a dentist’s office. In this viewer to focus more on incorporating tank, he meets other fish who are captured. Nemo’s disability seamlessly into the Despite his physical impairment of his plotline rather than enabling his disability to “lucky fin,” Nemo is instructed by another be an inhibitor in his life. fish named Gill to save all of the captured fish. To do this, he has swim to the top of Inclusiveness Ideology Portrayed by Dory the tank and throw a rock into the filter. Blocked by the rock, the filter would stop Nemo is not the only character with an running and the tank would fill with algae. exceptionality that is shown making positive The dentist would have to clean the tank contributions to society. Despite Dory’s himself by taking the fish out. The fish intellectual impairment, she makes one of would then escape. Nemo is the only fish the most significant contributions to the who could do this difficult task because he is entire plotline. When Dory and Marlin the smallest. He is successful and ends up search for Nemo, they come across a diver’s blocking the filter. mask in the ocean. This mask is the same mask of the diver who captures Nemo. The During the last scene of the film, Nemo is mask has an address on it which Marlin given another opportunity to shine. Nemo thinks would be a helpful clue in finding and many other fish are captured in a net by Nemo. Marlin tells Dory to memorize the sailors on a boat. None of the other fish address written on the mask. This know how to escape; however, Nemo takes memorization may seem highly impractical charge. He instructs the fish to swim because of Dory’s short term memory loss; downwards. This would place enough however, Dory remembers the address for pressure on the net and the net would break. the entire film. In the end, she ends up Nemo and his technique end up saving all of finding Nemo and reuniting him with the fish from getting captured, and they all Marlin. Marlin states, “Dory, if it wasn’t for swim away safely and unharmed. you, I wouldn’t have even made it here.
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Thank you” (Walters & Stanton, 2003). It is comes from societal expectations concerning not a coincidence that the only piece of individuals with disabilities. information Dory remembers happens to be the most significant part of the plot line. Starting from the very beginning of the film, Nemo and Dory’s exceptionalities are Despite being a children’s movie, including revealed. Nemo is born with a physical Dory into society can most closely align impairment which is known as Nemo’s with the language of the American with “lucky fin” throughout the duration of the Disabilities Act of 1990. This act mandates film. During the first scene, Nemo begins that individuals with disabilities are treated his first day of school. As soon as Marlin as equals in society. Chapter 126 of this act, drops Nemo off, all of the other fish students entitled Equal Opportunity for Individuals begin to bombard Nemo with questions with Disabilities, explicitly states that the about his “lucky fin.” Surrounding Nemo as purpose of this act “to provide a clear and though he is a spectacle, they ask questions comprehensive national mandate for the like “What is wrong with your fin?” and elimination of discrimination against “How did your fin turn out like that?” The individuals with disabilities.” Dory’s actions students mock and tease Nemo because his displayed in Finding Nemo support this act fin looks different than everyone else’s. by eliminating discrimination in Dory’s Being a protective parent, Marlin informs society by enabling her to make significant the students that Nemo was born that way. contributions. The creators of Finding Nemo The only character that seems to sympathize devote the majority of the plotline to with Nemo is one squid. She compares detailing Dory’s contributions in society. Nemo’s fin to one of her shorter tentacles. The creators enforce inclusiveness through She says that you cannot even tell that one Dory’s actions in spite of her exceptionality. of her tentacles is shorter than the rest. They enable her to make what can be called the most significant contribution to the In society, individuals with disabilities often entire film. Refuting the notion that Dory’s are viewed by the rest of society as exceptionality is impairing her ability, the questionable. These questions can be creators depict Dory as smart due to the fact medically related or not, but regardless, that she is able to read the address on the these individuals make a bigger spectacle mask. Due to the fact that she is included, out of the slightest difference. Daniel Dory is able to remember the address for the Preston views this bombardment as a entire movie. Even to the not so critical positive scene in the film. He writes, “What examiner, it is evident the creators of is particularly nice about this exchange it Finding Nemo clearly represent the that the kids share their differences with inclusiveness ideology through Dory’s Nemo as well, establishing that they are all actions throughout the duration of the entire different in that they each have different film. attributes, but on some level that makes them the same, too” (Preston 57). However, Resistance Portrayed in Finding Nemo most individuals who firmly align themselves with inclusiveness may beg to Despite the strong portrayal of inclusiveness differ. They may view this scene as a sign of depicted in Finding Nemo, it is important to resistance due to the fact that the other fish take into account any possible resistance that are demanding an answer for Nemo’s may arise. In this film, the major resistance exceptionality instead of just accepting it for what it is.
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Although inclusiveness is portrayed fairly inclusion and view it as negative; however, positively throughout Finding Nemo, there one must examine the bigger picture and are also various scenes where disability is focus on abilities not disabilities. portrayed negatively. Marlin warns Nemo’s teacher of Nemo’s physical impairment Enforcing the resistance to inclusivity, Dory before he enters school. He tells his teacher is portrayed throughout the majority of the that Nemo has trouble swimming because of film as dumb because she cannot remember his fin, and he should allow Nemo to take as many things as other fish because of her breaks when needed. By underestimating his disability. Dory fails to remember names, ability, Marlin tells Nemo to “be safe” while specific places, and specific facts. Even swimming. Being the protective parent, though she and Marlin travel together for the Marlin knows that Nemo struggles with entire movie, Dory repeatedly confuses his swimming and doesn’t want Nemo to name. Marlin thinks that her memory loss is venture off; however, Nemo wants to be free a joke and laughs it off. However, Dory to go and explore. Eventually, Marlin is able feels the need to defend herself by telling to switch his mindset regarding Nemo’s Marlin that her inability to remember things abilities. Millett states that, “Marlin learns to instantly runs in the family. Much of the trust Nemo and his self-defined abilities, as resistance to inclusivity stems from the prescriptive stereotypes of disability are social construction as viewing all tested and disproved and the protagonist’s individuals with disabilities as “dumb.” This triumph is enabled” (Millett 4). Although “dumb” notion enforces this resistance Marlin changes his mindset of inclusion in because one fails to see that individuals with part because of Dory, Marlin’s initial disabilities are intelligent. Despite the underestimation is a main contributor to the multiple scenarios of resistance to resistance to inclusion. Marlin’s inclusiveness portrayed in Finding Nemo, underestimation is what begins the entire the resistance ultimately does not prevail. plotline. By not thinking Nemo is capable of The countless scenes exemplifying swimming, Marlin causes Nemo to venture inclusiveness outweigh the few scenarios of off which is the premise to the entire film. resistance.
Nemo is not the only character in the film Writers’ Approach who is significantly impacted by the resistance to inclusiveness. Dory’s short Advocates for inclusiveness would hope that term memory loss is portrayed negatively as the creators of Finding Nemo intend that it well. On their journey to find Nemo, Marlin would promote inclusiveness. Since this gets aggravated with Dory when she tries to movie would be a movie a majority of remember small details but can’t. He states, young children would watch, it seems fitting “Dory, you are just a fish that causes delays. that the writers would display inclusiveness I don’t want to be with you anymore” within the realms of their film. In today’s (Stanton). Instead of looking at Dory’s society, inclusiveness sells and it sells with strengths, Marlin looks at her weaknesses by large margins. In a recent interview, Jill criticizing her lack of memory. Marlin’s Bazos discusses the marketing views of film resistance to including Dory on his journey production. Bazos is the Vice President of due to her exceptionality is the drive behind Marketing at Sababa Toys as well as the the overall resistance portrayed in the film. creator of the widely popular company, Kid This can translate to the rest of society Pro Co. Bazos also has worked in because many individuals tend to resist management for companies such as Hasbro,
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Milton Bradley, Fisher Price, and Playskool. themselves with inclusiveness. If these She states: individuals can clearly see the integration of this belief in the realms of Finding Nemo, Filmmakers [of children’s films] they would most likely be persuaded to buy acknowledge the potential capital market the promotional merchandise following the the adaptations can generate. As with viewing of the film. any successful film trend, there are always the production of merchandise Upon further examination of the widely including t-shirts, posters, toys, and even popular children’s film, Finding Nemo, one dolls immediately following the film’s can clearly see inclusiveness is portrayed release. These filmmakers must examine throughout the entire film. Film, especially the story line of the preexisting book and film geared towards children, can be viewed determine if it would be able to make a to inform society about particular social successful movie. If the story line is constructions. Regarding disability, the way strong enough, society would most likely the writers and directors portray disability in be willing to spend a mass amount of this film can either help promote or demote money on the “promotional products” inclusion in society by cultivating a greater following their viewing of the film. Most understanding of exceptionality. Generally of the time, the creation of a film doesn’t speaking, the younger generations tend not stop once production is wrapped. The see flaw in a person’s disability. It is the production of “fan merchandise” will older generations who feel as though quickly follow as these products steadily disability is something that needs to be fly off the shelves. These products will fixed. The way the writers and directors bring in yet another source of revenue portray disability in this film can help for the filmmakers; therefore, it is promote inclusion in society by cultivating a crucial for filmmakers to address a film greater understanding of exceptionality. that can be a giant flop or a huge With the substantial integration of positive monetary success. contributions to society, Finding Nemo exposes young children to inclusiveness in The writers of Finding Nemo understand the the realms of society. Although there may be potential market they could be tapping into resistance encountered along the way, this with the production of this film. In modern film clearly portrays inclusiveness for the day society, many individuals align entire duration of the film.
References Foss, Sonja. Rhetorical Criticism. Waveland Press. Print. Bazos, Jill. Personal Interview. 4 April 2014. Millett, Ann. “"Other" Fish in the Sea: "Finding Nemo" as an Epic Representation Crowley, Sharon, and Debra Hawhee. of Disability.” Disability Studies Quarterly. Ancient Rhetorics. Saddle River: Pearson, 24.1 (2004). 1-4. Web. 5 Nov. 2015. 2012. Print.
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Preston, Daniel L. “Finding Difference: United States. Dept. of Justice. “American Nemo and Friends Opening the Door to with Disabilities Act.” Information and Disability Theory.” The English Technological Assistance on the Americans Journal 100.2 (2010): 56–60. Web. with Disabilities Act. Dept. of Justice. 1990. Web. 5 Nov 2015 Stanton, Andrew, dir. Finding Nemo. Buena Vista Pictures. Film.
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