Esther Leslie

Why intellectuals love Disney

For many great philosophers and theorists Mickey Mouse was an emblem of the best and worst of the modern age

Collection of Melanie Doderer-Winkler  
issue 21 October 2023

This month marks the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney’s company. The first cartoons it was founded to produce – the animation/live-action shorts Alice Comedies – are largely forgotten, eclipsed not least by the resounding success of Mickey Mouse. Mickey Mouse grabbed much of the attention from the get-go, including that of several philosophers, sociologists and critical theorists, who perceived in him an emblem of the best and worst of the modern age.

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