Facts Disney's Pocahontas Got Wrong
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Facts Disney's Pocahontas Got Wrong

"John Smith did not look like that"

2153
Facts Disney's Pocahontas Got Wrong
Rogerbert

Everyone grew up loving all the movies Disney gave us, like Toy Story, The Lion King, Beauty and The Beast, and even all the movies they're still creating, but there's one movie which I have recently learned has a lot of false information in it. After taking a college course on Native Americans, I've learned some interesting things. Disney's Pocahontas which premiered in 1995 has a lot of things in it that the history books sitting in your classrooms would tell you are lies. Sorry for ruining your childhood, but here are some of those falsehoods.

1. Pocahontas' age

When John Smith arrived in Jamestown, Pocahontas would have been about ten or eleven... This doesn't look like someone who's ten. Plus, how would a ten-year-old fall in love?

2. Pocahontas' outfit

In the 1600s, Indians felt that females settling in American dressed "immodestly" for their tight dresses. Native Americans dressed very modestly in loose clothing.

3. John Smith DID NOT look like that

John Smith was known as a short, stout man who wasn't attractive at all, but Disney created a tall, blonde man with an amazing jawline to play the leading man.

4. Native Americans had seen "pale faces" before John Smith

The Spanish had landed in Jamestown decades before John Smith and the English did, so the Native Americans would have had knowledge about "paleface" settlers and their weapons, but this film depicts that this is the first time they have seen settlers.

5. Did Pocahontas even save John Smith?

The only recollection of these encounters between Smith and Pocahontas are from Smith's books; however, Smith had written that almost the EXACT SAME THING (a ruler about to kill him and a young maiden came to save him) happened on two other different

Though there are other things Disney does that depict Native Americans inaccurately, these are the major things Disney gets wrong in this film. Even though they had Native American experts on staff through the production of this film, Disney did what they wanted to in order to create a profiting film, not a historically accurate one.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

94865
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments