So Saturday night I went to see Sherman Alexie at the U of M, put on by its American Indian Association. When my wife was in college, she took an American Indian History class, and one of the required reading was Reservation Blues. I read it too and loved it, reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian years later. I didn’t have an idea of what he was going to talk about. And I don’t think he did either. I don’t think anyone did. When I sat down, there was about eight or ten people sitting in a circle on the stage, which made me think it was…
-
-
Analyzing the Disney Villains: Governor Ratcliffe (Pocahontas)
GOVERNOR JOHN RATCLIFFE Origin: Pocahontas (1995) Captain Hook’s personality in Alameda Slim’s body. Ratcliffe is one of the weakest antagonists I’ve ever seen. The movie doesn’t even need him — it’s West Wide Story. He’s merely a symbol for Mother England. You know, the whole REASON their trip was funded and provided in the first place? The name even has the word “Rat” in it, and it’s not a clever pun. That kind of move telegraphs the weakness of your character. But you know what, fuck Disney for screwing with this guy. They propagandized him into a greedy, capitalistic slob who will destroy everything to get what he wants. Guess…
