The Amazing Mouse

According to the nineteenth-century British anthropologist, Edward Tylor, the modern, technical definition of culture is the “socially patterned human thought and behavior.” Here in America, we all share a common culture. However, this culture is not an innate characteristic we acquired since birth, but rather, it was learned through personal experience. Eric Miraglia says that “[Culture] is a body of learned behaviors common to a given human society, acts rather like a template, shaping behavior and consciousness within a human society from generation to generation.” I am fortunate to have been raised in this wonderful country ever since birth. Through my experiences with close friends from various countries, I learned that America has portrayed itself as a “Land of Dreams.” My friend from China, Mike, always tells me his longing to come to America. I asked him why and he responded, “American is the land of opportunity, it is where our dreams come true!” In my English class, I have come to learn that Mickey Mouse, a popular living artifact, best represents my understanding of American Culture: a culture that represents opportunity, a place where anything is possible, and a sense of security.

Mickey Mouse is the face of Disney World, a place where childhood dreams come to life. Interestingly enough, I have found that Mickey Mouse also represents the American Culture as the land of opportunity. When I first visited Disney World, I saw Mickey Mouse at the front gate, holding the keys to anything imaginable for a six year old. Behind him I saw dancing lions, I saw the mountains of Japan within walking distance to where I stood, and I saw a rocket ship en route to the moon. I was amazed by the endless possibilities of what I could do, finding that it was only my hesitation of comprehending a euphoria that was holding me back. Just as Disney World is the Mecca for all children where their fantasies are lived, America is the hot spot for foreigners to make their dreams a reality. My understanding of American Culture is that we Americans are in a place where only the sky is the limit, our imaginations build the world in which we want to create. Foreigners are longing to come to America, a place where we can be a doctor or an artist. There is no one telling us what to do or how we should live our lives. We have resources at our fingertips and a government that supports our success. To any adult in pursuit of fulfilling a full life, this is their Disney World, their Mickey Mouse. This is how Mickey Mouse represents the opportunity of my understanding of American Culture.

Mickey Mouse not only represents opportunity, but he also represents the American Culture’s ideal that anything is possible. If we look at Mickey Mouse and analyze him in the context of the food chain, he is a mouse at the very bottom of the animal totem poll. I think of a mouse as a menial creature that cannot even prey on its own food but rather feeds off of the leftovers from other superior animals. To me, a mouse is so insignificant that its very existence seems unworthy of praise. However, like the America Culture I have come to understand, this mouse is special. Only here in America can a mouse acquire the size of a human and possess the power of brining fantasies into the realm of reality. Only here in America can a mouse become something so despicable of a life form and be made into a universal icon. To me, Mickey Mouse represents that skin color or race does not determine the greatness one can achieve. Mickey Mouse took the image of a creature that is frowned upon into an animal that is most desired by children. Just like the American Culture that portrays anything is possible, Mickey Mouse shows that anyone or anything can achieve a level of greatness, no matter who you are or where you came from.

When I think of Mickey Mouse, one thing that immediately comes to mind is the sense of security I feel. Whether I am roaming the streets in front of the Disney World Castle or holding my Mickey Mouse blanket, I feel safe from the violence and anger of the outside world. The image of Mickey brings about a sense of peace that I know things are going to be okay, a feeling of confidence that this “idea” can bring about safety to me and my family. One other important aspect of American Culture I have come to understand is the sense of security that is permeated throughout the world. America has the strongest military and with that brings a sense of comfort to Americans and its allies. My international friends tell me that America is idealized for its justice system and they desire the confidence of knowing that within the American grounds, they will be taken care of. The image of Mickey himself illustrates the security that is found in the American Culture.

Whether it is in a two-year old’s bedroom or on the tee shirt of a man in Africa, the image of Mickey Mouse is a living artifact of America’s Culture. What makes the American Culture so great are the endless opportunities it provides with the comfort of knowing you are safe. Just like Mickey Mouse, the American Culture is recognized universally, its essence bringing smiles to the faces of many people knowing that dreams can become reality only here in the United States.