Character Analysis: The Lion King

deviant they could be labeled deviant in an environment where their dissociation with society and their lifestyle may be viewed as dysfunctional because they do not prefer living in the safety of the pride lands.
The majority of the main characters including Simba, Nala, Mufasa, Zazu, and even Scar belong to the highest social class that exists while others such as prey animals including Timon and Pumba fall into the lower classes. These groups are determined at birth and therefore are forced upon the individual. There are no attempts to move up or down the social status ladder made within the hierarchical animal kingdom because it is understood and accepted where each animal falls in the circle of life. In Simba’s childhood he is part of an extended family which consists of his parents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and elders (Benokraitis, N., 2014). This provides Simba with socialization, security, emotional support, and has determined his social placement while

allowing him to be influenced by the entire pride of lions. Mufasa and Sarabi represent a solid marriage, they provide for all of Simba’s needs while keeping their own relationship fresh. When Mufasa is killed Simba becomes part of a single-parent home yet upon running away he becomes an orphan. Upon his adoption to Timon and Pumba are a sort of fictive kin as they take on the responsibilities of caring for Simba including sleeping and feeding arrangements while they have no relationship outside of close, almost brotherly, friendship. While Timon is more aggressive and harsh with his “parenting” he is physically depicted as the mother-figure because he is smaller, slender, and has a higher pitched voice where Pumba would physically be a father-figure given his girth and masculine voice despite his gentle and compassionate involvement with Simba.
Religion in The Lion King is widely irrelevant yet it is infused with a sense of spirituality.

A few examples include the baptism-like ceremony of marking Simba, the winds carrying the hopes and news of Simba being alive, Mufasa appearing from what appears to be the heavens and imparting a message to Simba, and the wisdom of Rafiki is akin to that of a monk or minister in the omniscient way he interacts with Simba. Though there is no obvious religious affiliation within the film there are portions which greatly reflect a variety of religious views and practices. It does not appear that the spirituality within the context it is being exercised has exerted any social control over Simba but it helped motivate him to reclaim his rightful place as King and enabled him to create a positive self-perspective. It also makes a motion toward the biblical story of the prodigal son and while Simba’s story differs because of the death of Mufasa, he still receives great celebration with his

home-coming.