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Pocahontas (character)

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Template:DisneyChar Pocahontas is the main character and protagonist of Disney's 1995, thirty-third animated feature, Pocahontas, and its direct-to-video sequel, Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World. She is also an official Disney Princess. She, as well as the events she goes through, are very loosely based on the actual historical figure Matoaka, who is more popularly known by the nickname Pocahontas.

Pocahontas is the first (and only) Disney Princess to have two lovers, but most media, including the Disney Princess franchise, still make John Smith together with Pocahontas a couple, completely ignoring John Rolfe.

Though Pocahontas does not have the characteristics of princesses like Snow White, Cinderella and Princess Aurora, she is still included as a Disney Princess because she is the daughter of a Native American chief.

She is voiced by and modeled after Native American actress Irene Bedard and her singing vocals were performed by Broadway singer Judy Kuhn in both films. Kuhn also reprises the role of Pocahontas in the Disney Princesses' single and music video, "If You Can Dream" and the original Disney Princess songs "These Moments We Share", "Silver and Gold" and "Christmas Is Coming!".

Background

Pocahontas

Main article: Pocahontas (1995 film)

In the beginning of the film, Pocahontas learns that Kocoum, a warrior, has asked to marry her. (In place of a wedding ring, Pocahontas is given her deceased mother's wedding necklace, and she wears it throughout the bulk of the film.) However, Pocahontas does not feel that this is the right path for her. She is the first one to spot the ship carrying the Europeans, mistaking the ship's sails for clouds. Pocahontas later encounters one of the settlers, John Smith. As the story unfolds, it is revealed that her mother has died, and that she lives with her father.

Over time, the two get to know each other, asking all sorts of questions about each other's people, lives, and different worlds. However, the conversation goes sour when John Smith unintentionally reveals his prejudices towards Native Americans. Pocahontas explains to him the beauty and importance of nature and respecting the earth through the song, Colors of the Wind. This causes John to see the ill of his thoughts and change his ways, and the two fall in love with each other.

When Kocoum stumbles upon Pocahontas and John Smith kissing, Kocoum becomes enraged and attacks him. Before Pocahontas can break them up, Thomas, who had been sent to find John, shoots and kills Kocoum. John Smith is taken prisoner by the Powhatan men and sentenced to die at sunrise.

Pocahontas realizes that she must stop the execution that will lead to war between the Native Americans and the settlers. She runs to where it will take place, calling out to the forces of nature to help her reach them in time. Pocahontas reaches John Smith just in time to throw herself over him and save him from being killed by her father, Chief Powhatan who then comes to his senses and releases John Smith. When the enraged Governor Radcliffe shoots at the chief, John Smith pushes Powhatan out of the way, and takes the bullet.

Soon after, a wounded John Smith asks her to come with him to England, but she explains that her place is in Virginia, with her people. To comfort him, she tells him that no matter what happens, I'll always be with you, forever. They kiss, and the men carry him onto the ship. As it is leaving, Pocahontas runs as fast as she can to a cliff overlooking the ocean. Pocahontas waves goodbye in the Powhatan fashion, and John waves back in the Powhatan fashion, like Pocahontas showed him to earlier when the two first met, as the ship sails away.

It is important to note that Jean Jacques Rousseau's notion of the "noble savage" was an important inspiration for this fictionalized story of the important historical persona that is Pocahontas. For as can be seen in other information given below, the story presented in the animated film is not an accurate telling of her life. Rather, it is an examination of the above notion.

Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World

Main article: Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World

In Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World, Pocahontas goes to London as a diplomat to stop a potential attack upon her people being ordered by King James in a plot by Radcliffe. There, she is accompanied by John Rolfe and slowly develops a romance with him. In the end, she is reunited with John Smith, but explains to him that they are no longer following the same path that they went on years ago", and parts ways with him. Successfully exposing Ratcliffe, who is then arrested by order of the King, Pocahontas and John Rolfe get on a ship going back to Virginia together, and kiss as the ship sails off into the sunset.

Personality

Pocahontas is displayed as a noble, free-spirited and highly-spiritual young woman. She expresses wisdom beyond her years and offers kindness and guidance to those around her. She loves adventure and nature.

In the sequel, however, her character was significantly changed, making her harder, more cynical and less empathetic to those around her. This Pocahontas is more willing to settle down and plan her life--a feat unheard of in the original flim, where her implusive and reckless behaviour is a key element of her character.

Fantasy and Reality

Many significant differences exist between Pocahontas and her real-life counterpart:

  • Their appearances vary greatly (a center of complaints from some Native Americans).
  • The age of Pocahontas in 1607 at the time of John Smith's arrival was much younger (closer to 10 or 11 according to accounts), and the age gap between the two was much larger.
  • While the real Pocahontas saved John Smith's life from her father, there was no romance involved. With their ages being what they were, a romance would be irregular and unlikely.
  • The real Pocahontas was not an only child; her father, Chief Powhatan, had an estimated fifty wives and an undetermined number of children.
  • While she did indeed go to London in her lifetime, it was as a hostage, not as a diplomat.
  • Pocahontas married John Rolfe in real life. However, this was against her will. He took an interest in her while she was a hostage, and took her as his wife (no romance involved). Her name was changed to Rebecca Rolfe (she was the first Native American to be baptized). When she did go to England, Ratcliffe had already been dead for three years, therefore making a reunion and controversy between the two impossible. Her going to England did however allow peace between the Europeans and Powhatan people for many years, which was the basic point of her going there in the film as well.
  • Around 1612 she was married to Kocoum where as in the film he was killed shortly after their marriage was planned.

Appearances outside of the films

See also

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