Disnability

“No one’s ever gonna pay a dime to see a dwarf picture”— Lillian Disney

One of Disney’s first animated films, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), has one of Disney’s first depictions of disability. Dwarfism, as the seven beloved dwarfs posseses, is the condition in which “growth hormone deficiency refers to abnormally short height in childhood due to the lack of growth hormone,” according to the Mayo Clinic’s website. The most famous dwarfs include Dopey and Doc who are depicted with more prominent signs of disability. The disabilities in the film include learning, speech and emotional impairments. 

In particular, Doc and Dopey are both dwarfs that have prominent roles in the film. Doc, the head dwarf of the seven, has a speech impediment. He has trouble with most of his verbal communication—-stuttering on his words that often do not sound comprehensible. Throughout the film, Doc has to correct his words— when saying “hen”  he corrects it to mean “men” and again saying “lapel diflings” when meaning apple dumplings. It is nice to see that even with this speech difficulty Doc still can remain the head of this group of dwarfs. Disney portrays Doc as more dominant and a stronger dwarf figure, but in compared to their “normal sized” counterparts the dwarfs are still considered weaker. Doc assesses all the troubles in the group whether they be medical or argument based, hence the name “Doc”. In contrast, Disney depicts Dopey in less flattering light. According to Merriam Dictionary, the word dopey is defined as “stupid, silly or foolish.” Just by naming this character as stupid, Disney suggests Dopey to be very that and furthermore suggests Dopey may be mentally challenged. Also, Dopey cannot speak— he is mute. 

In the film, Dopey is depicted as the ultimate klutz. He is doe eyed, constantly falling over furniture and tripping over his own clothing. Dopey epitomizes Jack Nelson’s definition of the pitiful disability stereotype (Nelson, 6). He acts like and dresses like a child. You cannot help but want to help Dopey. He is also depicted as “a disabled person unable to live a successful life,” (Nelson, 6). Dopey is shown as defined by his disability— I mean his name is Dopey. I find this pretty offensive, calling a person with a disability dumb or stupid would not be accepted in this day and age. I am surprised there has not been more publicity on this issue. Dopey is clearly different than any other character in the film. Furthermore, due to Dopey solitary role as the only mute character his mental disability is furthered silenced by isolation. With rolling eyes, a loose lipped tongue, physically Dopey epitomizes the discriminating stereotypical “slowness” that people with mental disabilities possess. How can this be accepted, even in the 1930s, to outwardly name someone dumb or stupid? I did enjoy Doc’s role as a leader, but the depiction of Dopey as “dumb” reinforces strong negative imagery with dwarfs and persons with disability.

The seven dwarfs are not likely characters as protagonists: Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, and Dopey all have supporting roles to the Evil Queen, Snow White, and the Prince. Disney depicts the seven dwarfs as hard workers, but doing remedial work. Mining is task oriented and does not display any sort of complexity. As Snow White stumbles into their lives, the dwarfs welcome her because she can cook and clean. Disney reinforces gender stereotypes and in my opinion reinforces the stereotypes associated with persons with disabilities. The seven dwarfs are also depicted as “a disabled person unable to live a successful life.” The seven dwarfs are rarely shown as useful and happy members of society (Nelson, 6). Living without Snow White, the dwarfs are portrayed as inferior persons, stigmatized by their disability, and incapable to cook or clean. With Snow White serving a mother-like role, the dwarfs are depicted as finally happy and complete. The dwarfs are similar to children depending the home cooking and cleaning abilities of a “whole person.” 

Take a look at Dopey’s depiction on film and Doc’s speech:

In today’s society, people with dwarfism are more and more commonly found in the media. Although Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs thoroughly depicts the seven dwarfs with stereotypical disability images, I do applaud Disney putting characters with dwarfism on the silver screen. In the 1930s, people with dwarfism were only depicted in freak-show like atmospheres, here, Disney exposed children to different types of people. Currently there have been many strides in media exposure of dwarfism. For example, in children’s films, the 2011 release, Gnomeo and Juliet, is a classic telling of Romeo and Juliet but from the dwarf perspective in gnome form. It would have been nicer if the characters did not have to take on the role of inanimate objects like gnomes, but at least there are strides for normalization and awareness. Several television shows like TLC’s The Little Couple or Animal Plant’s Pit Boss follow real life people with dwarfism. These types of shows provided a bit of insight into the lives of these people with dwarfism, the challenges, the “normal” lives and their strive for more media attention.  

Examples of Dwarfism in today’s media:

Questions for Your Children:

What comes to mind when you see the seven dwarfs?

Does Dopey remind you of anyone you ?

How would you talk to Doc?

Is there any questions about the seven dwarfs?

I suggest using Disney films as a platform for introducing your children to more and more different types of disabilities whether it is physical, mental or social.