前言：甚至都要忘记有这回事了，11.20我将文章复制在下方，交论文时候为了减少生硬痕迹还是做了不少改动。文章大概目的是存档，我觉得不会有什么人愿意啃这篇英语阅读罢，即便是我过了这么久都不想再深究。文末的下载文件已经没有意义（老版本）但还是留在后面了。以上。
Zootopia: A Fable of Reality
Introduction
Movie has become one of the most popular cultural mediums in today’s world, often carrying profound reflections on social realities and philosophical contemplation. Similarly, the form of fable, which dates back to the beginning of human history, is often referred to as “adult fairytales”, implying a metaphorical reflection of human society. Just like George Orwell’s Animal Farm, Zootopia also chooses animals as the subjects of its fable. In this article, we will explore how Zootopia reflects pressing social issues and the philosophical ideas it conveys.
Theme and Summary
In this vast utopian world, Zootopia creates a metaphor for human dreams, ambitions, talents, and flaws through the characters of a rabbit and a fox. The protagonist, Judy, embodies the themes Disney aims to explore—ideals versus reality, effort versus success. She yearns to break stereotypes and challenges, yet in the backdrop of this utopia, racial discrimination and inherent bias prevail, intensifying the contradictions.
The movie doesn’t dwell on the abstract concept of a “utopia” but rather addresses the realities at every turn. The protagonist’s urgency to check a license plate at the traffic department, staffed by slow-moving sloths, humorously mirrors the bureaucratic red tape (which is both trivial and troublesome) in real life, which can be even more sluggish than what the movie has portrayed. Prejudices among animals correspond to contemporary stereotypes and racial discrimination: rabbits should only be farmers and not police officers, foxes are all born liar, elephants are assumed to have impeccable memories, herbivores are considered weak, and carnivores are labeled as inherently vicious……
Moments, Characters, and Ideas Related to Me
In Zootopia, there are several moments, characters, and ideas that resonate with me personally, and these parts of the movie deeply connect with my own experiences and daily life.
1. Judy’s Determination:
One of the moments that deeply resonated with me is when Judy Hopps, the movie’s main character, decides to become the first bunny police officer in Zootopia (the name of the city in this movie). Her determination to break stereotypes and follow her dream is inspiring, which reminds me of the times when I faced challenges and troubles. Judy’s commitment to her aspirations reflects the significance of perseverance in our lives.
2. Nick’s change:
Nick Wilde, who has a same last name of Oscar Wilde, starts as a cynical character who believes in the prejudices. I reckon that Nick has lots of same character with Oscar Wilde, one of my favorite writers, and it wouldn’t be a coincidence (from my point of view). However, as the story progresses, he undergoes a significant transformation. He learns to trust and to be trusted, displaying the potential for personal growth and change. I can relate to this character’s change because I’ve encountered situations in my life where people have surprised me. Nick’s character emphasizes the capacity for individuals to change and overcome preconceived notions.
3. The Power of Collaboration:
The movie emphasizes that solving complex problems often requires collaboration between individuals with different views and backgrounds. This concept aligns with my belief in the strength of teamwork and unity. I’ve experienced the benefits of diverse collaboration in both personal and professional settings, which has strengthened my faith in the power of working together.
All the sections of the movie have deeply impacted me, reminding me of the irreplaceable characters—determination, and perseverance. Also, I gain a deeper sight in collaboration and teamwork, which should be stressed in our daily life. To put it in a nutshell, I reckon that this movie conveys many ideas related to me, making me a better thinker than just a viewer.
1. The AD Hominem Fallacy (Personal Attack) :
When Judy explained to Chief Bogo that she had entered the police force as the top graduate and had the capability to handle cases rather than just being a traffic officer, Chief Bogo angrily rebuked Judy. His reason was solely to belittle her appearance, looks, and her identity as a normal herbivore.
We know this is a typical fallacy. The chief didn’t address the essence of the argument about Judy’s capability; instead, he attacked Judy’s outward attributes, ignoring her inherent value and abilities. This precisely aligns with the description of a fallacy: attacking the attributes of an argument, rather than examining the argument’s worth or claims itself.
2. Hasty Generalization Fallacy & Appeal to Fear (Scare Tactic) :
Hasty Generalization Fallacy leads to incorrect stereotypes, and in the movie, stereotypes are a central theme.
As mentioned earlier, preconceived notions already exist; rabbits are thought to be fit only for farming, and foxes are seen as tricksters. However, upon closer examination of the movie’s content, I found that stereotypes can stem from a flawed analysis of individuals. When over a dozen carnivores fall ill and become aggressive towards other animals, panicked masses assume that these carnivores’ primal genes are causing anomalies, thus threatening their safety. This triggers animosity between carnivores and herbivores. Yet, herbivores can also exhibit aggressiveness; this is simply someone maliciously stoking conflicts for personal gain. However, the public wrongly harbors fear and bias against carnivores, leading to stereotypes.
This is another occurrence of typical fallacies in the public. This example also illustrates the Appeal to Fear fallacy: fear drives the exacerbation of conflicts among the public, attempting to change their behavior by creating anxiety among those who receive fearful information. The movie’s example illustrates this point well.
Through analysis, we can also see how one logical fallacy can lead to another fallacy. To prevent people with ulterior motives from altering our thoughts, I believe that increasing awareness of logical fallacies is essential, as only through a comprehensive understanding of these fallacies can we better grasp and identify them, so as not to be manipulated by public opinion.
Philosophical Ideas in the Movie
1. Coexistence and Cultural Inclusivity
In the movie, Zootopia is a city where both carnivores and herbivores coexist. They have different sizes and habits but can live together harmoniously. The movie also presents interesting ideologies, such as naturalists: they advocate that animals should not be restricted by clothing but should achieve harmonious coexistence with nature. They also exercise and practice yoga in natural parks, respecting each other’s perspectives.
2. Challenging Stereotypes
Despite the prevalence of stereotypes in society, the characters in the movie dare to challenge people’s biases. For example, rabbits are thought to be only good for farming, and there has never been a rabbit police officer, but the protagonist Judy dreams of becoming a police officer in the city. Foxes are considered natural tricksters, but Nick is sincere and kind. Elephants are believed to have a strong memory, but the elephant in the movie cannot remember what happened last week. Wolves are seen as symbols of ambition and power, but in the movie, they work for a mafia boss rat. Sheep are perceived as gentle and pure animals, but in the movie, they can be cold-blooded killers or cunning schemers who sow discord among species.
3. Optimistic, Positive, and Brave
Taking Judy as an example, she is the only herbivore in the police academy, physically weaker than the carnivores. However, she doesn’t back down. She actively exercises during her free time, cleverly using her advantages, and achieves the highest scores in school. In the city, despite poor living conditions and setbacks, she remains optimistic, excels in her job, and maintains a kind heart. The chief orders her to write a hundred tickets a day, but she secretly resolves to write two hundred tickets in the morning. Many details in the movie portray characters’ positive approach to life, conveying a sense of optimism and bravery.
Message/Lessons from the Movie
From the movie, the most important lesson I’ve learned is: by making an effort and not giving up on communication, we can bridge racial differences.
The trust barrier between Judy and Nick is eventually broken through their sincerity, and creatures who were initially at odds find reconciliation through cultural exchange. Looking at reality, there’s no region in the world that can truly guarantee the singularity of their race anymore. Nations are moving towards shared prosperity through cultural exchange, and races have become diverse due to various historical reasons. At the same time, conflicts between people have intensified.
The movie was released during the U.S. presidential election year, and it holds significant real-world relevance, seemingly alluding to the prevailing racial prejudice in America. There is an irreconcilable conflict between Black and White, and dialogue difficulties between the upper and lower classes. All these factors contribute to barriers in communication, leading to more misunderstandings and biases. However, if we take a moment to think, if we could overcome all obstacles and achieve ongoing communication between the two sides, could we live together harmoniously and bridge racial differences? In reality, this is quite challenging, but it can still be gradually achieved through some soft measures, promoting dialogue among people. We can see the destination of the unity that belongs to all human, and how to reach that destination requires continuous efforts and exploration by human themselves.
Negative Points About the Movie
I believe that Zootopia, although an excellent work, still has some space for improvement.
Firstly, as a movie reflecting reality, it simplifies some real-life issues. For example, it downplays class conflicts and primarily emphasizes inherent perspectives among different races. Additionally, the artistic exaggeration used in depicting specific details somewhat conceals their true execution steps, making the entertainment aspect of the movie overshadow certain real issues.
For instance, when portraying the crime consequences and the swift execution of justice upon revealing them in the case of the sheep mayor, it might seem somewhat idealistic. While there are many prejudices among animals of the same race, the movie downplays class conflicts, making the introduction of the power structure somewhat ambiguous. When the sloth at the Department of Traffic reflects the inefficiency of administrative institutions, it only focuses on the slowness without providing a comprehensive analysis of its structure.
However, it must be acknowledged that a fable movie is inevitably constrained by its subject matter and expression, and this criticism, viewed from another perspective, would appear entirely different.
Resolution to the Problem in the Movie
When Judy became a hero for herbivores, carnivores were condemned, rejected, and harmed in the process. She initially aimed to revitalize the city and provide answers to the families of missing animals, but it seems like reality had different plans.
How did Judy choose to respond? She chose to sincerely apologize to Nick, chose to uncover the truth herself. Despite a moment of despair, she ultimately chose to confront reality, opting for courage and kindness. Perhaps, this is the mindset we should embrace when facing difficulties.
For me personally, there have been both frustrating and satisfying experiences with solutions.
In China, academic performance is considered a top priority for students because not studying means fewer educational resources and a loss of competitiveness. Schools and families focus heavily on students’ academic achievements, which can lead to significant academic pressure. I have experienced moments of frustration due to this academic pressure, feeling disheartened by less-than-ideal grades. In these situations, I made the mistake of hesitating and being indecisive, wasting time and missing opportunities. If I had approached these situations with optimism and a positive attitude, finding suitable solutions like the main characters in the movie, I could have avoided these mistakes.
In addition to the frustrating experiences, there are more positive and satisfying ones. During my high school, I struggled to concentrate on studying and spent more time on entertainment. When I realized this, I chose to use the resources around me to address the issue. I created a series of plans and self-discipline measures, while encouraging my classmates to do the same, pushing each other to improve. Through these efforts, I became more focused on my studies and developed a strong interest in science. Afterward, I replaced discussions of entertainment with philosophical and literary discussions with my classmates. I believe that my transformation, similar to Nick’s transformation, is valuable.
The Philosophy Followed and Its Impact
I used to admire a famous writer, Albert Camus. His works gave me strength and made my early steps into literature smoother. One of his most renowned works, “The Myth of Sisyphus”, reinterprets the meaning of pushing the rock up the hill from a new perspective, which left a profound impact on my young self. People say his works are full of existentialist ideas, but he strongly denied it. However, this didn’t stop my growing desire to learn more about existentialism.
Like many of my classmates and people around me, I was a materialist and someone who identified with existentialist ideas in my thoughts. But through my experiences, while interacting with my Malaysian classmates, I could sense the influence of philosophical thoughts on my growth. I was amazed and admired the harmonious coexistence of different races and faiths. I am an atheist, which has provided me with a unique perspective to observe the impact of religion on countries and people, and it has taught me to respect others in my education from childhood to adulthood.
As for the profound impact of existentialism on me, I tried to use it to interpret the meaning of life. When I felt lost and approached nihilism, I chose to find meaning in life. Like Albert Camus and another writer I love, Italo Calvino, who said in his book which is called Invisible Cities, “To find something that doesn’t belong in the hell of non-humanity and give it space and meaning.”(I’m not sure it’s correct because it’s from my memory) I interpreted it with existentialism and made an effort to change my pessimistic thoughts, making me a more positive person and providing me with a safeguard against nihilism.
As a Chinese, I also have my own interpretation of Taoist philosophy. In optimistic situations, I challenge myself to do my best. In less optimistic situations, I recall the thoughts of my ancestor Laozi. He believed in the philosophy of “wu wei,” which may seem somewhat passive. However, I understand it as “when things go beyond one’s capacity, forcing oneself is in vain. At such times, it’s essential to take a break, gather strength, and then change the situation in the future.” I believe this philosophy not only exists in ancient China but has modern interpretations and is moving towards the world.
Conclusion
Zootopia is not the type of movie I usually enjoy, but it’s the one I loved. It made me think that if I had watched it during my childhood, I would have gained courage and determination. If I watch it now, it makes me contemplate the idea of utopia. The character development in the film is astonishing, and its reflection on the real world is remarkable. It’s rare to find a work that seamlessly combines high artistic quality with a fairytale theme. Zootopia excels not only in its animation but also in the attention to detail. It’s a movie that should appeal to all ages, not just what people usually consider that it’s only suitable for kids (and the adults who watch it with them).
Fables truly showcase human wisdom, and Zootopia perfectly exemplifies this. It portrays human society as a world within a mirror, allowing us to see ourselves and our society.
Thinking about various real-world events like racial discrimination, class conflicts, stereotypes, exploitation by authorities, and the inefficiency of administrative bodies, I believe a movie like this is needed to show the less glamorous side of the world. As the movie expresses, “Culture changes the world.” The popular singer in the movie reconciles all the animals at the carnival with a song, and they all enjoy their moment of togetherness. I believe this movie serves as a bridge that allows soft culture, like films, to make people worldwide empathize. The lovable characters in the movie help people lower their guards and immerse themselves in Disney’s created world.
I feel fortunate to have chosen this film, one I had never explored because of its animated nature, from the list of ten movies. With the knowledge from our course, I can better understand the concepts and phenomena implicitly embedded in the film. Without my study abroad experience in Malaysia, I wouldn’t have gained this understanding.
Reflecting on each character in the movie, it’s as if they are still lingering in my mind. I hope the thoughts it triggered in me will continue, and the qualities I’ve learned from them will accompany me in facing the unknown. Describing it as an “adult’s fairy tale,” I couldn’t agree more.
上方下载键为老版本，新版本暂不上传（懒得搞没人看）
