Stereotyping In Happy Dan, The Lady And The Tramp

Almost 100 years ago Walt Disney created what would later become one of the biggest multimedia empires in the nation. Since then, Disney has become a common household name around the world. Some of the company’s earlier animated films include Snow White, Cinderella, and Lady and the Tramp. When you think of Lady and the Tramp you most likely picture two lover dogs eating a bowl of spaghetti when they both just so happen to choose the same noodle and kiss as if they were humans. Looking past this cute yet somewhat unsettling scene, the viewer can see Disney’s attempt at stereotyping not one, but at least four different ethnicities depicted throughout the film through the form of animals. The stereotypes range from social class types, feminine

With no coincidence, the animated version of this story debuted just two years later in 1955. The film follows a spoiled-rotten cocker spaniel, Lady, who is owned by an upper-class family. From the beginning, she was the center of her family’s attention, but not soon after she is replaced when they have a baby. She then meets a neighboring mutt, Tramp, who is from a much lower-class part of town. Together they adventure through the town as Lady finds herself in

He states, “modeled by the lovely young lady the new, improved, patented…log puller… turn around sister and show the customer the merchandise…” Not only does this indorse the idea that she only good for her looks but he says it in a sexualized voice, which falls into the stereotype that men objectify women.
Later in the movie, Tramp convinces Lady to break into a chicken coop in order to chase and tease the chickens.
Another stereotype the viewer is exposed to is two Siamese cats named Si and Am. These two cats perform a song in which they move in perfect unison as they sing about manipulating their owner into getting what they want. During the song, they are seen knocking over vases and destroying their home when their owner is not there. The entire song is incredibly stereotypical of Asians and their culture. The song, titled “The Siamese Cat Song”, starts with a boom of a gong and followed with the entire song mimicking a typical Japanese folk song with flutes and chimes. Not only are Si and Am animated to look Asian with big slanted eyes and no uniqueness between the two—which implies all Asians look the same—but they also speak in extremely broken English. This is most dominant in their song where they slur the lyrics “Do you seeing that thing swimming round and round” referencing the pet goldfish in its bowl. In an article written by Isaac Weishaupt he states “the cats often