Disney Movies: Gender Roles In The Lion King

The movie, The Lion King (Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, 1994), is one of the most well-known Disney films out there, and continues to be a favorite among children and adults of all ages. For those who are not aware of the plot of The Lion King, it might help to know that it is an animated, lighter, lion version of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Throughout the movie, The Lion King expresses a deeper idea of male dominance and stereotypical gender roles. It does this by emphasizing the notion that males have to be brave, heroic, leaders and females should be more nurturing and dependent on men. In the film, The Lion King, males are shown as the stronger and more courageous sex. The title in and of itself is sexist, claiming that the only important

leader of the pack has to be a king, therefore not female. Every ruler of the kingdom in this movie, (Mufasa, Scar, and Simba) is male.

Even though Sarabi, Mufasa’s wife, is considered Queen while he is in power, she does not get nearly the amount of recognition or admiration that Mufasa receives. Also, when Mufasa dies, instead of the throne going to Sarabi, the throne is taken over by the only available male left in the pride, Mufasa’s brother, Scar. Also, nearly every character in The Lion King, is a male animal. The only real prominent female character is Simba’s best friend Nala. This movie reiterates the idea that females have to completely depend on men in order to survive. For example, when Mufasa dies and Scar becomes King, the lionesses are not happy with how he rules. Instead of joining together or electing a new female leader to try and take Scar down, they insist on finding another male lion, Simba, who can do the job for them. This claims that women are weak and inferior no matter what, even if they completely outnumber the men. The way this movie says that women are incapable of leading without men proves that it maintains the idea of male dominance. The Lion King also seems to emphasize the notion that males should be protective and females should be nurturing. In today’s society, a stereotypical mother is caring, generous,

nurturing, and loving. The Lion King exemplifies these traditional female traits. For example, the only time females other than Nala have a main part in this film is when Simba and Nala’s mothers give their children baths. This scene makes it seem like the only thing females are good for is being mothers and taking care of children. Another stereotype that The Lion King illustrates is the idea that men are supposed to be brave, protective hunters. In the beginning of the film, Mufasa plans a part of the day to teach Simba how to hunt, pounce on, and catch prey. In another scene, Simba’s friends, Timon and Pumbaa, teach him how to eat insects. Both eating grubs and hunting are very manly things to do. Another manly thing to do, according to society, is be protective. Throughout the whole movie, males are the only ones who do the protecting of any kind. For example, when Simba and Nala get caught by hyenas in the elephant graveyard, Simba has to be the strong one and defend Nala. Once both of them get trapped, King Mufasa comes in to save the day, scaring the hyenas away. Another example of this is when Simba was stuck in the middle of the stampede. Instead of any of the lionesses running to help him, Mufasa is again the one that has to save him. Much of society would say that the men, not women, should be the ones risking their lives in order to save others, and The Lion King reiterates that. There are many prime examples of male dominance and traditional gender roles prominent in The Lion King. The leadership of Mufasa, Simba, and Scar emphasize the idea that males are the more powerful sex and should have more control than females. The men overwhelmingly outnumber the women in this film expressing the notion that women are less important than men. When the movie does show women, they are performing stereotypical motherly actions such as bathing the children. Though The Lion King is a very well-made, lovable children’s movie, this film carelessly uses its characters to portray stereotypical men and women and emphasizes the conventional idea of male dominance.