Bug's Bugs Bunny: Stage Door Cartoon

When in a dangerous situation, the first instinct of any victim is to enter the defense mechanism of “fight-or-flight.” This defense mechanism is known for an individual to either attack the situation or flee it before the individual is harmed. In many cartoons, characters are known for their witty escapes, or neither realistic nor survivable fight mechanism against the threating situation. In the “Bugs Bunny” cartoons, “Bugs Bunny would never submit meekly to an opponent no matter how overwhelming” so he uses another approach to fight or approach the threatening situation in order to make an effective escape (Lee 4). In the “Bugs Bunny” cartoons “A Corny Concerto,” “Hare Ribbin,’” “Stage Door Cartoon,” and “What’s Opera Doc?” Bugs approaches

The persona of the ballerina is seen as a female role is shared with the mermaid. Many know mermaids as beautiful, female creatures of mythology. Specifically they are known as sea nymphs that are half-human with the tails of a fish. Bug uses the idea of the female mermaid to seduce the dog from being eaten once again in the cartoon “Hare Ribbin.’” Bugs initially disguises himself as a female mermaid with long, blonde hair and bright, red lips. Bugs manages to “[display] all the common signifiers of femininity, down to the physical morphing of his eyes and mouth from masculine to feminine (“Queens in American Popular Culture” 258). In order to seduce the dog, Bugs begins to sing, “Would it be wrong to kiss?” to lure the dog over to the rocks he is laying upon on. Another term for such a mermaid is a siren. The siren is known for singing her deadly song to pursue men and lure them into life threatening situations. For example, in mythology they are known to lure sailors into stormy rocks, which would inevitably crash and destroy the ship. In “Hare Ribbin,’’” Bugs as the mermaid use this same tactic to put the dog under his harmonic spell, which is highly effective. The dog drops everything he is doing to pursue the beautiful mermaid who bats her eyes at him upon seeing his reaction. Bugs is capable of escaping the threatening situation by altering

Instead he uses a more historic figure that is commonly known for their vicious nature. However, instead of portraying this figure as vicious it portrays it the completely opposite. In “What’s Opera Doc?” Bugs next plot involves him being a female Viking. He has the complete disguise from the long, blonde hair to the majestic horse, which too is female emphasized with its pink colored mane and pearly, white coat. Similar to the mermaid in “Hare Ribbin,’” Bugs as the female Viking has a harmonic voice that easily lures Elmer, who does not appear to realize the danger that could come with pursing this suspicious, female Viking. Instead, Elmer is completely fooled returning his proclaimed for the female Viking when she sings, “Be my