Column: This Side of The Fence
Mickey Mouse is my hero, but I’m not exactly sure why. All I know is that Mickey has been there for me, adorning my walls, clothes and everything in between, since the eighth grade.
Mickey is the good old boy-a classic everyone can count on. But he didn’t start out that way, and I think that’s part of the reason I like him.
Back in 1928, when he first appeared on the big screen as Steamboat Willie, the mouse was not the least bit refined. He represented the uncouth old farm boy humor of his creators, reckless and disrespectful sometimes. Mickey made music by pulling a cat’s tale and found humor in disrobing his enemy, then skewering him in the rear with a sword, neither of which would be considered funny today, at least not by our more mature crowd.
But Mickey is adaptable, willing to change with the times, but not just any change. He only makes improvements. Rather than heading toward the gory and seductive, like much of today’s entertainment has, Mickey chose to be better and become a symbol for a more innocent and good – not perfect – but good generation.
Who doesn’t love those good old Disney classics, like “Snow White,” “The Little Mermaid” and “Cinderella?” I grew up watching those shows and thinking I wanted to be just like the characters in them – like Ariel, who followed an impossible dream; like Snow White, who overcame a wicked witch and like Gus Gus – you know, the chubby mouse in “Cinderella” – who never gave up.
Why can’t there be shows like that out there anymore? The kind in which good always triumphs and justice is always served. It seems like one comes around every now and again, but for the most part, there’s nothing good on and when there is, the good stuff is smothered in sexual content and violence. Viewers have to dig through the garbage to find the gold, and that makes it easy to miss.
We’re more into reality shows now. But I thought going to the movies was so you could escape reality for awhile. Kind of defeats the purpose if you can get the same story at home as you can at the theater. If I want to see someone cry over relationships that aren’t working out quite right, fight with parents and siblings or be suffocated by overly cheesy public displays of affection – I’ll go to a movie, but I’ll at stay home, thanks.
But when I go to the movies, I want something fun, maybe a little light-hearted even. Life is too stressful to gum it up with extra garbage.
I guess that’s why I like Mickey. He’s fun and can bend in ways people can’t. Plus, every time he gets knocked down, whether by an anvil, a big hammer or someone bigger and furry, he always gets back up, re-inflates his head and moves on with his life. He’s unafraid and conquers all obstacles that come his way, from “Killer,” a gorilla that kidnapped Minnie to evil mob bosses picking on Mickey and his gang.
I guess that’s why I like the mouse. He’s just the kind of hero I need. Plus, what can I say – he just so cute.
Mikaylie Kartchner is a junior majoring in print journalism. Comments can be sent to mikayliek@cc.usu.edu.