Amanda Ransom: Film Analysis

Human Diversity
Amanda Ransom
November12, 2014
Happy Feet Reflection

The movie is about a tribe of Emperor Penguins that possess great singing voices they use to attract mates. Mumble is a very different Penguin that can’t sing, but has a unique talent for tap dancing. The movie emphasizes racial diversity, where the Adelie Amigos are clearly Hispanics, the rappers are African Americans, the Skua birds spoke with Italian accents and the elephant seals spoke with a Scottish or Irish accents. Using his diversity and his different way in finding creative solutions and handling crises, he saves the day. Through the movie we begin to learn that a different ability isn’t a burden, but a gift to be treasured. Diversity is not only about
From the moment we are born, we learn about ourselves, beliefs, and values through our surroundings. Our experiences give us our subjective points of view, known as biases, which serve as filters to make sense of any new information. Mumble’s father rejected him because he didn’t fit the criteria of what they are used to or perceive as being penguin. As a young penguin Mumble had to assimilate to what was thought as normal for his culture in order to fit in. He was often marginalized during school and around crowds. Mumble is the only Emperor penguin chick in Antarctica who can’t sing. His friend Gloria has a glorious voice, but Mumble can never hope to attract a mate without a ‘heart song’, the personal tune that all Emperor penguins must have. This gender discrimination affected his very way of
The elders are looked up to for the wisdom from the Great Wind, the religion of the tribe. A dejected Mumble leaves the colony, determined to find out why the fish are disappearing. He has heard a rumor from the large and frightening Boss Skua that aliens inhabit the earth. He is adopted by five fun-loving Argentinian Adelie penguins a fat Rockhopper penguin called Lovelace, who’s slowly being strangled by a plastic tie around his neck, joins their quest. Away from home, Mumble meets a different race of penguins, the Adelie Amigos, who instantly embrace Mumble’s cool dance moves and take him in. Mumble helps his adopted tribe find a way to survive. Using courage and bravery, Mumble begins to teach everyone his unique dance, and they save the day using his distinctive capabilities.
He knows he can dance better than any penguin alive, but as his father Memphis tells him, dancing ‘just ain’t penguin’. This is part of the Foley and Marger Oppression Paradigm where he is treated less than “penguin”. As a young penguin, Mumble is denied the same education as the others due to his inability to sing. During his graduation, his peers send him away to another iceberg so that they did not have to communicate or associate with him. As a result of his dancing, the elders demonstrate their power over the tribe and banish him for being the reason of the fish