Religious Subtleties in Disney's 'The Lion King'
Disney's 1994 musical film The Lion King is a classic, heart-warming father-son tale. As the film begins, you're immediately introdcued to the father and king of the Pride lands of Africa, Mufasa, and his queen, Sarabi, as well as their newborn prince, Simba. The start of the film shows Simba being welcomed into the Pride Lands as the prince with some sort of epic ritual performed by a babboon, who later is revelaed to be named Rafiki. The plot of the film follows Simba's growth from a prince to a king, and the trials and tribulations he endures physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Mufasa shows Simba the responsibilities he will have and teaches him about the "circle of life." Although being brought up in a "royal" family, Simba finds himself getting into quite a bit of mischief, thanks to his Unlce Scar, Mufasa's younger brother. Scar is the villain of the story- a jealous sibling of Mufasa who plots the death of both father and son so he can rule the Pride Lands himself. As Scar is untelligently evil strategy unravels, he fails to murder both lions, but convinces Simba that Mufasa's death was his fault through great planning and timing. This causes Simba to feel extreme guilt and to feel unworthy of the role as king, therefore escaping to the jungle. While living in the jungle, the lion befriends a maeerkat named Timon and a warthog named Pumbaa. The two characters teach Simba about living carefree through their philosophy "Hakuna Matata," meaning "no worries" (in Swahili). Simba, Timon and Pumbaa live together in the jungle, eating insects and berries and living carefree until the two friends are preyed on by a keen lioness who, after being stopped by Simba, turns out to be his childhood friend, Nala. Nala's role is important in the film as she explains all the evil taking place in the Pride Lands after Mufasa's death and during his absence as Scar has taken over. Simba is upset by the sudden recollection of despair and guilt he feels; he ignores Nala's pleas for his return and leaves her and the jungle. After leaving, he finds Rafiki, the babboon from the beginning of the film. Rafiki acts a spiritual leader for Simba, telling him that his father is still alive, still present. The babboon leads Simba to a pond where he is visited by his father who comes to him in a vision in the sky. Mufasa's spirit convinces Simba that he must return home and take his place as king. After seeing his father and realizing he's forgiven, Simba returns home to the Pride Lands where he, Timon, Pumbaa, Nala, Rafiki and Sarabi fight Scar and his army for Simba's rightful place as king. After their victory, the film ends in Rafiki on Pride Rock, presenting Simba, the king, and his queen, Nala's, newborn cub.
If you haven't seen it...
Bibliography
Articles
Arnall, W. "The Segregation Of Social Desire: 'religion' And Disney World." Journal of the American Academy of Religion, 69:1 2001. 1-19. Print.
This article discusses a lot of main points I will bring up in my argument as it talks about how Disney and religion are entertwined.
Barfield, Jonathon. “The Lion King.” Philosophy Now, Issue 94. 2013. Web.
An extremely helpful article. Almost as a mixture of my other articles, Barfield examines both sides of the film. He not only explores the possibility of atheism within The Lion King, but also explains how the main character, Simba, could be considered a version of the “Prodigal Son.” Another theory he presents is Simba as the “second coming of Christ,” a little wild but something to explore within my argument. The element of father and son as God and Jesus is present, as well.
Juschka, Darlene. “Disney and Fundamentalism: The Fetishisation of the Family and the Production of American Family Values.” Culture and Religion, Vol. 2, Issue 1. 2001. Print.
Broad generalization of Disney - not just The Lion King - that explores criticisms from the church against liberal rights and how Disney has become more liberal over the years; Disney vs. the Southern Baptist Association. Helpful toward my argument of religion in the film as it explains contrast between my opinion and the opinion of others who are strongly religious. Also shows ideology of “American values” in Disney movies- a fresh perspective that could be useful in my argument that hasn’t be presented in any other pieces I’ve read through.
Ward, Annalee R. “The Lion King’s Mythic Narrative: Disney as a Moral Educator.” Journal of Popular Film and Television, 23:4. 2010. Print.
A very good source for my argument as it includes several different theories of biblical excerpts tied into the film The Lion King. For example, explains the Pridelands as a life in Paradise before the “fall into sin,” or the several references to the Garden of Adam and Eve. Ward brings up ideas of Satan and Christ as well as Heaven and Earth in unity. An amazing article to help prove my argument.
Ward, Annalee R. “The Lion King: Myth, Archetype, and Ritual.” Mouse Morality: The Rhetoric of Disney Animated Film. 2002. Web.
Another amazing article from Ward. Something different about this piece compared to others I’ve read through is that she speaks about other characters other than Simba and Mufasa. Ward discusses Rafiki’s role in the religious background of the film as well as aspects such as Simba’s baptism at the beginning of the film and the presence of Heaven.
Books
Adams, William Mark and Mulligan, Mark. “Nature and the Colonial Mind.” Decolonizing Nature: Strategies for Conservation in a Post-Colonial Era, Ed. 2, 16-18. 2003.
Although this book only contains a small excerpt about The Lion King, it brings up the aspect of “the circle of life,” a very large and important point of the film in general. This being said, it’s also a question of religion, as well, which I’ll further explain later with help from this source.
Chidester, David. “Disneytizaton.” Authentic Fakes: Religion and American Popular Culture, 18. 2005. Web.
Discusses that movies- 'The Lion King' and other Disney films- promotes alternative religion. Describes this religion as “earth-based, pagan and pantheistic religiosity.” An important point Chidester brings up in this book is the way religion is used through animals in the films, which is a perspective that can be useful in proving my argument.
Heimbrock, Hans-Gunter and Scholtz, Christoopher P. and Stone, Bryan P. “The Revelance of Popular Culture for Empirical Research.” Religion: Immediate Experience and the Mediacy of Research, 23. 2007. Web.
In relation to Ward’s second article- another reference to Rafiki and how he represents a spiritual figure in the film. Although this only really touches on the role of Rafiki, it helps prove my argument that religion is present in 'The Lion King,' even if it’s in a supporting character. Stone describes the baboon as a “Godsend” and a “spiritual warrior,” a clear religious interpretation.
Other
"Disney's Lion King Character's and Religion." <disneylionking.weebly.com>
A non-dated, non-credited website that explains all characters of the film and how they connect with religious figures. Very useful for my argument as the charactres are the most important part.
Kjos, Berit. "The Spirit Behind The Lion King." Kjos Ministries, <crossroad.to>.This website gives examples of passages from the bible that entertwine with quotes from the film. This is extermely helpful toward my argument because it shows a direct comparison between religion (specifically Christianity) and the film.
Howells, Laura. "The Lion King 'Amazing Grace.'" Youtube. <youtube.com/watch?v=eEX75LDi3R8. 14 Mar, 2014.
Name is cited because not only is the video a helpful visual representation of A. Ward's work of religion in Disney, but a long, useful description given by the person who posted the video that will help better explain Ward's point.
"The Lion King - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. <wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion_King> 2013. Web.
Used as reference to background and history, along with any theories anyone had posted or special quotations not picked up from film.
"The Lion King (Trailer)." Youtube. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sj1MT05lAA> 29 Mar, 2009. Web.
A memory refresher and good reference to see how the writer's and producer's chose to portray the film as. Noted: many religious aspects already.
"The Lion King." Walt Disney Pictures. 1994. Web.
Actual film of 'The Lion King' for own notes. An attempt to form my own opinion's and quotes throughout the movie.
"The Lion King and a Course in Miracles." A Course in Miracles. <http://acimexplained.com/the-lion-king-and-a-course-in-miracles/>. 2012. Web.
Religious website with insight in how religion can be interpreted from the film. Just another useful reference in my argument.
"The Parable of the Prodigal Son," Wikipedia. 2015. Web. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_Prodigal_Son>
"Religion in Disney's 'The Lion King.'" Religion and The Lion King, <religionandthelionking.webs.com>A project-created site with insight into the religious subtleties within the film, helpful as a "down-to-earth" cite, helping my own preject-created website with not only information, but layout and such as well.
"Religion in Popular Culture: Disney movies." Prezi. <https://prezi.com/gtklaqopucah/religion-in-popualar-culture-disney-movies/> 29 Mar, 2014. Web.
A small presentation involving several Disney movies, explaining their religious themes. Helpful in proving the presence of religion in the film.
Youtube (various videos credited above). 2015. Web.
"50 Films You Wouldn't Think Were Christian." What Culture. <http://whatculture.com/film/50-films-that-you-wouldnt-think-were-christian- but-actually-are.php/7> 17 Sept, 2011.
A website that began my interest in the topic of religious subtleties in 'The Lion King." Gives a short, useful bit of insight on religious themes.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
On the surface, Disney's The Lion King is Walt Disney's average, everyday miracle piece of work; lovable characters, adorable animation, and a valuable life lesson. Looking beneath this, there's a very notable religious aspect to the 1994 film. Through much research and reading, it's very prominent that there are several religious subtleties throughout The Lion King. For starters, the main character, Simba, is a lion; a lion being a Christian symbol for Christ. Continuing, Simba and his father, Mufasa, and their father-son relationship can be a clear representation of the father-son relationship between God and Jesus, just as Simba can be a clear representation of the Prodigal Son. Throughout the film, both parallels are shown subtly, explaining why it wouldn't be seen without searching. The film also parallels the "path of God," and what happens when His children do not follow it by Simba escaping to the jungle due to the guilt and despair he'd felt after Mufasa's death. Lastly, it's been suggested that the minor characters could be portrayed as religious figures in Simba's life and during his spiritual and emotional growth. By pointing out these subtle religious interpretations, I'll begin to discuss each in better detail to help further my argument of the presence of religion in The Lion King.
Although in a film the main character(s) are usually the most important, it seems like the minor characters in The Lion King have a great importance, as well. The most prominent religious minor character is the strange baboon, Rafiki. Rafiki serves as a friend to Mufasa and almost like a spiritual leader for Simba in his time of need. At the beginning of the film, Rafiki performs somewhat of a ritual to present the birth of the new prince of the Pride Lands which could be perceived as a baptism. This brings me into the main religious role of Rafiki: a priest (or minister). As explained on Weebly, "Rafiki has the power to communicate with the Kings of the Prides of the past and also has the ability to read omens." (no credit given). In a parallel with a priest, both can communicate with those of great spiritual power; Rafiki with past Kings, priests with The Lord. Besides the baptism and communication, the baboon also portrays a priest by the stick he holds throughout the entirety of the film. Although it is only a walking stick with fruit tied onto the top, it's shown that Rafiki uses it to perform rituals and ceremonies. This stick acts as the crucifix a priest would use in mass, therefore furthering the argument of the Rafiki-priest parallel. The baboon convinces Simba that, although physically dead, his father is still alive, and leads him to a pond where Mufasa comes to him in vision in the sky. Rafiki's actions here present him as a spiritual leader for Simba- helping him believe in the spirit of his late father and giving him the forgiveness he needed to go on, as a priest would do for those of the religion.
The most prominent parallel of The Lion King and (specifically Christian) religion is the father-son relationship that mirros that of God and Jesus. As Simba plays the role of the Prodigal Son- Mufasa plays the role of The Lord. In stating this, I will start with Simba. As the lion prince mirrors many of the actions and trials of the Son of God, he mirros those of the Prodigal Son the most. The Parable of the Prodigal Son is a parable of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. It is of two sons, the Prodigal Son being the youngest. Both sons receive a divided share of the father's estate and fortune. The Prodigal Son flees to a distant country where he lives luxuriously until his forutne runs low. A famine hits the land and the Son realizes his mistake of leaving his father, therefore asking him for forgiveness. In receiving this forgiveness, he returns home and takes on the responsibilities he has. As for Simba, from his celebratory birth at the start of the film to saving the Pride Lands at the end, he doesn't play the role of an ordinary lion. The parallel to the Prodigal Son begins as Simba is born into a family where he will eventually become king. This relates to the Parable as the Pride Lands represent the estate given by the father to the Son. Futhermore, the lion learns everything from his role model, his father, who passes along wisdom of his land, and wisdom of the heart, as well. Continuing on, Mufasa dies, and Simba believes that it is his fault, therefore escaping from his home in the Pride Lands to the jungle from his intense feelings of guilt and despair. While living in the jungle, Simba lives more happily and carefree, like the Prodigal Son had after travelling to a distant country and, as Barfield says in his article, "In the parable, the son thinks he can live better without the responsibilities he has while living with his family, and so leaves to live in a ‘far country’. This is exactly how Simba behaves." (2013). In both cases, although in different locations and different circumstances, the land is hit with a famine. Both the Son and Simba had turned to their father for forgiveness in their time of need- "I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.'" (Wikipedia, 2015; Luke 15:17–20). In both instances, the father was forgiving- showing love and acceptance- and both are empowered by the word of their father (or God, in this theory), and return home, ready to take on the responsibilities that have been bestowed upon them. The last parallel between the Son and Simba is, like stated by Wikipedia,"The parable concludes with the father explaining that because the younger son had returned, in a sense, from the dead, celebration was necessary..." (2015). This mirrors The Lion King as Rafiki, the priest-like baboon in the film, had beleived Simba was dead whilst he was living in the jungle. Later in the film, while performing a spiritual ritual, Rafiki discovers that he is not dead and exclaims, "Simba?...Is Alive? He's alive!" (The Lion King, 1994). Just like the tale of the Prodigal Son, it's a metaphor; neither were actually dead nor brought back to life physically, but spiritually, from the help of their great leader. The leader gives way into the next step of my argument- Mufasa as the role of The Lord.
Mufasa is the Great Leader in our story. Not only is he the father of the main character, Simba, but he is also the King of the Pride Lands. These two roles are only the start of the parallels of Mufasa and God. For example, "The king-Mufasa here, God in the Bible-rules a beautiful land, and all appear to be happy and at peace." (Ward, 2010). With this excerpt describing the king aspect of both Mufasas and God, we can continue to explore the other aspects. As assuming the role of the Son of God, Jesus, onto Simba, Mufasa is the figure that leads Simba down the correct path- teahcing what is right and what is wrong, bestowing wisdom onto him and teaching him how to love and forgive. Although Mufasa dies early in the film, his presence is still key throughout. The lion king comes back in a vision in the sky to Simba to help guide him home. In this scene, Mufasa says to Simba, "You have forgotten who you are, and so have forgotten me. Look inside yourself, Simba. You are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the Circle of Life... You are my son, the one true king." (The Lion King, 1994). In this speech to convince his son's return, Mufasa speaks of himself and Simba with a strong father-son, God-Jesus parallel but also God speaking to his "children," in general. By Mufasa accusing Simba of forgetting him and his-self, it can be directly related to those of the faith losing that faith, therefore failing to remember who they are and their leader. As mentioned on Weebly, "In the Book of Exodus, God appears to Moses in a burning bush to give him guidance to go back and save the Hebrews from the Pharaoh. Just like Mufasa when he appears in the sky and talks to Simba about his path as King." Mufasa acts as the role of The Lord, guiding those who have ventured from the path of God, and back to salvation. Furthermore, the fact that Mufasa had come back to Simba after his death gives him a holy aspect, as well.
As Howells explains the symbolism of Mufasa's return, it's easy to assume a direct comparison the God. In Christianity, those of the faith do not need to see the Lord to believe in Him nor to love Him and feel His guidance.
Simba recognizes that Mufasa is not truly dead. Instead, like the Christian idea of God, he "lives in [Simba]" as an eternal source of strength and love. Although he is "blind" after Mufasa's death, through faith, Simba is quite literally able to "see" Mufasa's unending love and guidance. (Howells, 2014).
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23OVbFx4hl0 . He Lives In You, The Lion King 2, 2008).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GibiNy4d4gc . The Circle Of life, The Lion King. 2014.
There are no small parts...
"You have forgotten who you are, and so you have forgotten me."
"Simba?...Is Alive? He is alive!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD36ppAxlWI, LION KING - Prodigal Son. 2008.
The Prodigal Son
"Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and in your sight."
After discussing the presence of religion in The Lion King through the examples of various resources, I believe enough proof is provided to say 'yes!' to religious subtleties throughout the film. With Rafiki mirroring the role of a priest, leading Simba to his father and the spiritual awakening that had come with the encounter- Simba as the Prodigal Son, running away fromm his responsibilities in fear but returning and receiving forgiveness and acceptance- and Mufasa as The Lord, guiding Simba along the path of righteousness and teaching him how to love and to forgive, along with doing the right thing. The Lion King is chalk full of religious themes and parallels. So much so that it poses the question that maybe it wasn't unintentional. With the several sources available full of theories and proof of theories, it makes it difficult to believe that Christian religion wasn't somehow purposefully entertwined in the morally educating film.