How is prejudice shown within shrek Ethan Holloway 9.

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8/10/19 RE

Shrek is a children’s film with a loveable green protagonist called Shrek. The
film was released on 29th June 2001. This film became an instant classic gaining
an 88% rating on rotten tomatoes and reaching $200 million within just 33
days. While this film may look childish the themes within are far from it.
One of the themes included within this film is prejudice. There is one scene
that emphasizes this most in Shrek 2. It is the scene where Fiona’s family are at
dinner with Shrek to introduce him to the family. Fiona’s father insults Shrek,
using stereotypes and slurs to negatively affect him. This is similar to when
black and white marriages were frowned upon by society.
Also, it is clear that Fiona’s father disapproves of her husband greatly- even
wanting him killed. Shrek eventually gets chased out of the castle. This is like in
1930’s America when a black boy would be chased out of his house if he did
anything wrong.
Also, the films main antagonist (the fairy godmother) is racist and may even be
a representation of Hitler as she despise anyone of a lower race-not Caucasian-
and does her best to get rid of Shrek and his fairy tale friends. Her perfect
person to date Fiona is prince charming which is the epitome of the perfect
race- or as the Nazis called it the Aryan race.
At the end of the film Fiona’s father saves Shrek, shockingly. This shows that
everyone can learn to destroy stereotypes and rebuild everyone in a new and
positive light. This can be achieved by interfaith dialogue.