Pocahontas (character)
Pocahontas is the titular character of Walt Disney Animation Studios' 1995 film Pocahontas, and the seventh addition to the Disney Princess franchise.
Pocahontas
Pocahontas (1995)
Irene Bedard
(speaking voice)
Judy Kuhn
(singing voice)
Powhatan paramount chief
Ambassador to British Empire
Peacekeeper
Maize cultivator (formerly)
Chief Powhatan (father)
Nonoma Winanuske Matatiske (mother)
Powhatan Confederacy
Native American
The character is loosely based on the actual historical figure Pocahontas (1596-1617), making her the first Disney Princess to be based on a real person. As the daughter of a Native American Tsenacommacah-paramount chief of the Powhatan paramountcy, Pocahontas is the first American Disney Princess.
Pocahontas is voiced by Native American actress Irene Bedard in the 1995 film, its 1998 sequel, and all related media. Bedard also served as one of the physical models for the character. Pocahontas' singing voice is performed by Broadway singer Judy Kuhn.
Themes[edit]
Pocahontas has been identified as a feminist character who stands up against her father's patriarchal views in her refusal to marry the man her father wants her to marry.[23] Megan Condis, assistant professor of English at Stephen F. Austin State University, has stated that compared to previous Disney Princesses "Pocahontas was definitely a very different type of character in that she isn't as defined by romantic relationships and she's a lot more active. Also, she is one of the first princesses to actually take an active role in governing."[9] Sophie Gilbert of The Atlantic opined that in creating the character "Disney had, for the first time, provided an independent and fearless heroine with a strong sense of self." Gilbert noted that unlike Snow White or Cinderella, Pocahontas is able to find happiness outside of marriage.[2] MTV's Lauren Vino noted that Pocahontas is not a damsel in distress, as she saves Smith's life rather than vice versa.[24]
Upon the twentieth anniversary of Pocahontas, The A.V. Club's Caroline Siede said that the film "remains probably the most high profile story of a Native American in pop culture."[25] Tom Brook of the BBC said that the character's portrayal was impacted by how "[t]he rights of Native Americans were strengthened in the two decades from the mid-1970s by legislation protecting tribal rights and interests".[9]
Reception[edit]
Lauren Vino of MTV considers Pocahontas to be the best of all the Disney Princesses.[24] The San Francisco Chronicle's Peter Stack praised the romance between Pocahontas and Smith, writing that "the film's isolation of the lovers – their secret meetings near a stream, their tentative but enchanted glances, their first kiss – is nothing short of captivating."[30] Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly stated the character and John Smith are "generic".[31] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone dubbed her "Poca-bore-me" and bemoaned that she "is so busy trying to teach John about protecting the spirit of the land, she hardly has time for romance."[32]