Hakuna Matata

I found Gael Sweeney's article to be quite enjoyable and I think she did a good job in presenting a sound argument. At this point, we have read enough critical essays to where I got into the habit of expecting an outrageous claim that would make me automatically dismiss those authors' arguments. Yet, Sweeney's writing style was so conversational and witty, it made me more willing to listen to her argument. On top of that, her piece seemed like it was directed at an older audience without hinting that The Lion King is having some perverse or negative subliminal message on its younger viewers.

Sweeney knows that Disney is known for their production of "family-friendly" films that have been criticized by liberals for pushing conservative ideals, yet she also shares her observation that conservatives have steadily been increasing their complaints that Disney is becoming too liberal. I think Sweeney believes these conservative critics to be exaggerating with their complaints because I don't think she truly believes that the Disney company, as a whole, is promoting a fight against its usual theme of "heteronormativity". It seems that her goal is point out that Disney is capable of producing something that can be interpreted as homosexual, and that is certainly how she interprets Timon and Pumbaa in The Lion King.

There were identifiable parts that made her argument more believable. She is able to use her examples to prove several points such as using instances of their actions to prove they are over-dramatic, comic, opposed to the norm, and at times, outright fabulous. Sweeney points out that Timon and Pumbaa like to dress in costumes that could be seen as "cross dressing" but what strengthens her argument is that they do this often without presenting the possibility that they actually have heterosexual interests. In other movies, such as Mulan, when the guys cross dress, they have already explicitly stated, or will in the near future, that they are looking for a heterosexual relationship. Personally, the fact that Nathan Lane voiced Timon and Ernie Sabella voiced Pumbaa led me to think that Timon could certainly be seen as gay, but Pumbaa not so much. She stated herself that Timon and Pumbaa were not created until Lane and Sabella inspired those characters to come to life. That would mean Timon was more like Lane, who was gay in real life, while Pumbaa could be straight since that's what Sabella was.

It could be said that Timon and Pumbaa simply share a "bromance" but I think it's important to keep in mind that this movie was made before "bromance" was acceptable and popular like it is today. I think Lane might have been purposely making Timon gay while Sabella just did his thing with Pumbaa. The producers/animators of The Lion King just went with it, recognizing it as humor value and hoping that would outweigh its "hidden message".

Oh, and here's a meme I didn't expect to find, already made that came with the caption: "This 'funny because it's true' statement".

 Sweeney has believers.