Mickey Mouse is what started it all. Elizabeth Lawrence describes the creation of Mickey and glorifies the mouse to be perhaps one of the most iconic characters created by Walt Disney himself as well as a trademark of the Disney Empire. After reading In the Mick of Time, it seems that every aspect of Mickey's design was carefully discussed and planned out. From his physical appearance and clothes to his voice, the qualities of Mickey's character were not random. While I agree with Lawrence on her analysis of Disney's Mouse, I have to disagree with her stance regarding the popularity of Mickey. It's true as she points out that Mickey's trademark ears are all over Disney paraphernalia and anyone who enters the Disney theme parks, leaves with his ears bestowed on their heads. (Lawrence 69) But I personally believe that Disney's famous mouse has slowly lost some of his once incomparable fame and recognition to Disney's more recent and emerging characters.
Disney used to have one proud character that it marketed, capitalized, and symbolized. That character was undeniably Mickey. As Lawrence constantly reminds us that Mickey is the proud symbol of Disney, I don't necessarily agree with that anymore. In this day and age there are numerous notable Disney characters since the creation of Mickey Mouse. Multiple princesses like Jasmine, Cinderella, Tiana, heroes like Mr. Incredible, and countless others who's images appear on pajamas and comforters of children around the world.
Mickey is no longer the only horse in the stable. He's not the golden goose that he once was and its starting to show. A new age in Disney has begun and the once famous mouse may not be the center of attention anymore.
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