The Legend of John Henry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Legend of magic trick hydrogen - Essay mannikinRecent interpretations include Disneys short ingest trick Henry and Julius Lesters childrens apply John Henry. Disneys film pictures John Henry as a historical civil rights electric ray, a symbol of African American empowerment, while Lesters book illustrates Henry as a Christ-like figure, attaching a more(prenominal) mystical connotation of the hero. The different interpretations of John Henry as a mythical hero in black folklore reveal how he has become the embodiment of black freedom, dreams, and strength. As these adaptations show, his name holds a symbolic power that allows audiences to appropriate his heroics according to their wish. This tale is presented differently in most of children literature versions. Walt Disneys John Henry film and Lesters John Henry book are examined., with a culture of determining if it is necessary for people to deviate from the original story when talking about this myth. In 2000, Walt Dis ney Studios created a film adaptation of the John Henry myth in which they transformed him into a selfless hero. This film was intended to introduce children to the the doers and dreamers that made America great, a knowledge Disney claims no childhood should be without (Website). A common feature of Disney adaptations of various fairytales, legends, and myths is the didactic messages that have been incorporated into them. In The Legend of John Henry, John uses his strength to benefit the people rather than have it displayed merely to demonstrate his own power. In this way, Disney tries to prepare children on qualities they should develop within themselves. Placing John Henry before them as a role model, Walt Disney Studios attaches to him horse opera values, those that adults wish to instill in children of America. At the same time, the film can also be seen as Disneys attempt to create a hero that children of African American descent can chance on with and be proud of. John Henr y is the first animated African American protagonist created by Disney (Web). The theme of the film is evident from the opening it begins with the narrator, an African American woman, saying, Let me tell you about my John Henry, who laid down his life for his dream (film). The film goes on to portray Henry as an liberated slave that swears never again to be in chains. At one point Henry tells his wife, Polly, if they dislocate our dreams they put a chain around our souls, somebodys got to stand tall, believe me (film). The predilection of Henry being a slave is not found in original variations of the legend, which focus more on his mythical upbringing and displays of strength. In this way Disney attempts to historicize Henry as a slave contextualized within a specific time period he appears more real. This realism helps to verify the message of the story the more believable the underdog legend appears the more powerful its message is to audiences. At the same time however, Disney also presents the idea that a heros reputation extends beyond the limits of his or her own reality. It is mentioned in the film that aft(prenominal) John Henry joined the railroad gang, the rumors about his strength and achievements started growing. This referral separates the man from the myth while concurrently maintaining the integrity and magic of the