“ALADDIN” FROM ARABIAN NIGHTS TO DISNEY: THE CHANGE OF DISCOURSE AND IDEOLOGY

Abstract

This study compares the folktale “The Story of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp” from the Arabian Nights, and the animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation under the title “Aladdin” (1992). The differences of those two stories in two different medias shows the shifts of ideology and discourse. The study applies Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis, by applying the three stages of analysis.  The first level is micro level, on the language practice. In the second level, mezo level, discusses the discourse practice that covers the intertextuality of ideas, concept as the reference in delivering the ideas. In the third level, macro level, it interprets the social context of   particular events, especially the social practice in exercising their power. The finding shows that the Disney’s Aladdin campaigns ideology that refers to the American values such as freedom and American heroism. Besides, the discourse of Arab barbarism is developed in line with the practice of   stereotyping such as labeling the Arab people as barbaric, bad, silly and wicked as well as dangerous Arabs. These imply to the removals of the Islamic messages and values that exists in the original tales of Arabian Nights. The Disney’s Aladdin completely removes the Islamic messages and values, and changes them into ‘American values’.