Disneyland and the Medieval Carnival

p Archana Kannan

Research : Final

Professor : Jason Spiegel-Grote

A World Inside Out

`The Middle Ages ' - harshly tested human perseverance imagination , and survival . Except for the elite class , the living conditions for average citizens were deplorable . Eventually tragic events marked Europe 's late medieval period as one of the most harrowing times in recorded history ' Europe focused on the future and renewed itself with fundamental artistic , religious , romantic and political ideas that continue to shape our world to this day ' states Professor Teofilo Ruiz , University of California . Should

we give applause to this period for modern society 's ability to focus

on similar situations , in an equivalent manner ? Observing the world today , all of the areas mentioned are utilized for resurgence , escapism and to see the light at the end of the preverbal tunnel . Modern society is a 24 /7 carnival , with round the clock restaurants , stores , coffee shops , and night life . It 's a concept that is essential to working class ' people . Those working various shifts need the same hours to complete their daily tasks and satisfy their recreational needs . This will concentrate on a specific escapism used in medieval times and it 's counterpart used today

Webster 's Dictionary defines 'carnival ' as an organized program of entertainment a festival of merrymaking ' History defines it as a celebration of the end of winter and the coming of spring . The proper name is the Festival of Carnival . It Kannan , 2

occurs from January 6th each year and ends one day before Ash Wednesday marking the arrival of the Lenten season . The first recorded carnival was the Egyptian feast of

Osiris , an event noting the receding of the Nile 's flood water ' The Roman Bacchanalia and Saturnalia were other styles of carnivals , both igniting riotous scenes . During the Middle Ages , the Church controlled the carnivals with the popes serving as patrons . Pre-Christian , medieval and modern carnivals have a commonality they recommit the individual , to the spiritual and social codes of the culture ' They also allow for a temporary release from social and religious constraints (mardigrasdigest .com

Author , Peter Scher notes in his article , From Carnival to Carnival ' that a

carnival is simply a new version of an old world festival whose origins can be traced to Europe in about the 10th Century A .D ' The most celebrated medieval carnival is the twin island of Venezuela Trinidad . During the 18th century , African Slaves and Asian Indians were used to turn the amusements of the powerful into the ecstasies of the liberated

The carnivals were religious feasts during Lent . Scher believes that with the large gap in time between the last mention of ancient rites and the first reference to a medieval carnival it suggest the origin is a ritual magnet for surviving pagan activities ' Carnivals continued to be anticipated annual events and by the early l9th century the fame of the Parisian Carnival spread as far as the New World . The Carnival was an important pastime for the wealthy plutocracy , and literally helped Trinidad 's economy with the in flux of thousands of immigrants . High society 's primary entertainment was the Carnival Kannan , 3

which led to lavish masquerade balls held at the homes of the elite Characters , at the ball , began as a reflection on people or issues in society , from folklore or history

Eventually the costumes turned to mocking peasants , as animals , and violent , demonic characters . Scher comments , controversy seems built into Carnivals at some levels , as if forced to settle on something authentic about Carnivals , the only thing you would be left with would be a debate about it (Scher .P

What was a revolutionary spectacle in the medieval times like the carnival has become easily accessible in everyday life , but actual differences in the activities are not dramatic . Comparing a Medieval Carnival to a remarkable , continuous festival , called Disneyland depicts uncanny similarities , and differences . Obviously , the primary correlation is the fact that both are pure escapes from the real and often abrasive world . Whether it is the 16th century , with its irrefutable feudal system , or the 21st century with its democratic liberal outlook , people have always found the need for a `second ' world in which they can be free to indulge in carefree activities , role playing the part of a different person . Although , the approach to this so called `freedom ' has changed over the years

Russian theorist , Mikhail Bakhtin notes , all these forms of protocol and ritual are based on laughter and consecrated by tradition existed in all countries of medieval Europe they were sharply distinct from the serious official , ecclesiastical , feudal , and political cult forms and ceremonials . They offered a completely different , nonofficial extraecclesiastical , and extrapolitical aspect of the world , of man , and of human relations Kannan , 4

they built a second world and a second life outside officialdom , a world in which all medieval people participated more or less in , in which they lives during a given time of the year ( Bakhtin , 84 . Medieval times offered only one day , annually where they could see an extrapolitical aspect of the world ' and find pleasure in it to break away from the rigid practices of the State . Consequently , on the day of the carnival citizens

treated themselves unceasingly from all binding ties . People in today 's world , with respect to social , moral and political systems , have it much easier . Our environment is an `ethical ' spectacle which we participate in living in a democratic country our freedom prevails

Similarities between the Medieval Carnival and Disneyland are the captivating

atmosphere of light-hearted entertainment . Both places have a costumed theme , with

characters roaming the grounds enthralling the patrons , music and mini ' play , jugglers

food and frenzy . The principal difference between these places is marked by the patrons . Modern world patrons want `controlled freedom ' to live in for a temporary period of time . Restrictions and rules for a fun , but regimented visit in a controlled environment are captivating Our society functions habitually to what is presented abiding by the rules and restrictions applied . Patrons , in an ly fashion , wait long lines for rides , literally for hours . There is limited use of transportation inside the park , no flash photography , monitored lines for walk around characters , and no alcoholic beverages Kannan , 5

served on the premises . The Medieval Carnival was insensible and rowdy compared to Disneyland , yet served the needs if its patrons in they 're desired manner . Author and philosopher , Jean Baudrillard , writes

But we are no longer in a society of spectacle , which itself has become a

spectacular concept . It is no longer the contagion of spectacle that alter reality

but rather the contagion of vitality that erases the spectacle . Disneyland

still belonged to the of the spectacle and of folklore with its effects of

entertainment distraction and distanciation distance Disney World and

its tentacular extension is a generalized metastasis , a cloning of the world and of

our mental universe , not in the imaginary but in a viral and virtual mode . We are

no longer alienated and passive spectators but interactive extras figurants

interactive we are the meek lyophilized members of this huge 'reality show

Baudrillard 's notes that Disneyland goes beyond the imagination . He states that it is the precursor , the grand initiator .where reality itself becomes a spectacle , where the real becomes a theme park ' It takes a minimal effort for Disney to scoop up reality , a pure spectacle The main goal of an amusement park is to provide a place for everyone to participate so that there is no discrimination . In modern times leisure is associated with `controlled freedom , whereas in the Middle Ages the carnival was an event of the opposite , where no one dictated the festivities

The freedom that people experience at Disneyworld is one that is detached from the routines of everyday life . Stanley Cohen and Laurie Taylor , in their book Escape Attempts : The Theory and Practice of Resistance to Everyday Life ' identify escape attempts from sexual fantasies to holidays . The authors chart our escape routes and the essential need to defy the despondency of daily , routine life . They depict the important , Kannan , 6

theoretical insights on how to manage normality ' The book details the holiday ' in which the tourist enjoys a planned trip and has a fixed itinerary . Most holidays that people take have this general trend- the trip is part of a tourist package in which everything is planned out for you , right from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed . This is what we associate leisure with

According to Chris Rojek in his book Ways of Escape : Modern Transformations in Leisure and Travel ' we perceive leisure to be a sense of autonomy from our

predictable everyday life . Leisure is what we experience when we are free to do the activities that we enjoy doing . We are used to having a fixed dull routine and look out for getaways in which we are free from responsibilities and decision making . Disneyworld , a must-see attraction , offers to its guests an experience completely different from reality but controlled . Rojek acknowledges taking a distinctive break helps to recognize significant stress points , which leisure conforms to His book demonstrates diversity and flexibility in leisure time is most effective . Partcipants are restless sensation seekers and demand direct involvement and high quality , and only those leisure forms which can respond succeed in such a context (Bramham ,

br Alan Bryman introduces to us the concept of Disneyization ' as the process by which the principles of the Disney theme parks are coming to dominate more and more sectors of the American society and the rest of the world (Bryman , 1 . According to Bryman , Walt Disney World (WDW succeeds in creating a superficial world by adopting the methods of themes , hybrid consumption , merchandising , emotional labor and the Kannan , 7

most important of all , control . He further states , Disneyization entails control over our movement in that we have to be placed in the right contexts to enjoy our destiny-consuming ' Bryman makes valid points , according to today 's methodical thinking As daily life becomes more stressful , controlled recreation becomes more inviting . To rest your mind of detail , and trust your trip ' to a virtual domain is pleasure in itself

Compare this theory to the medieval carnival , where circumstances were expression and even though we resort to escape routes , we do it in a civilized way , still abiding by clearly defined rules of social etiquette . For example , a person could easily slip an alcoholic beverage into the park , or destroy property , but adherence to moral values is observed a sharp contrast to what took place in the Middle Ages . The peasants were suppressed and made to obey the discordant laws of the system . On the day of the carnival , they 're inhibitions ran ramped causing a display of extreme acts . The event was without barriers , or any supervision . The carnival gave people the open opportunity to do anything they wished , even if it was socially unaccepted behavior . Disneyworld and the Medieval Carnival are both seen as escapes from the real world , but are eons apart in respect to accepted `social ' behavior . Disneyworld and the carnival can also be analyzed as a spectacle A spectacle refers to an event that has an audience and a performer Professor Stephen Duncombe , New York University , introduces us to a new idea called the `ethical spectacle , which Kannan , 8

there are no line between participants and the creators . It engages us in a complex approach , making us the participants of the happening . For example , consider the popular website , You Tube . This site may or may not be termed as an ethical spectacle , depending on each individual use of it therefore , it could be participatory but not necessarily democratic

Duncombe mentions that , . our spectacles will be participatory dreams the public can mold and shape themselves . And they will be transparent : dreams that one knows are dreams but which still has power to attract and inspire (Duncombe , Page 17

Again the perception of power is re-introduced . Modern society thrives on a hands-on

approach to everything they take part in this ignites the desire for participation

Is Disneyland an ethical spectacle ' According to Duncombe 's theory no it is not there are participants and creators , a line clearly drawn The park is a place of pure excitement offering the aspect of adventure and satisfaction to everyone and on any given day over 50 ,000 visitors proves this point . The medieval carnival would be considered an `ethical ' spectacle since it was created by the people and for the people

Villmoare and Stillman describe Disneyland 's physical setting as public spaces within `controlled private property . its most usual public space is the spectacle whether the performances of Disney characters in front of Cinderella 's Castle or of Ben Franklin and Mark Twain in the American Adventure . The corporate plan is for nothing untoward to occur in public (Villmoare and Stillman , Page 88 Keeping the attractions

as private to the park as possible keeps the Disney ' magic controlled within the park . Kannan , 9

Yes , Disneyland is all about the ultimate enjoyment of its patrons , but it is also a conglomerate incessantly looking to maximize its profits

Without question , the Middle Ages and Modern times and circumstances are vastly different . Researching the Ages ' we are reminded of landlordism , strict feudal and insurrection of the people . The wealthy and noble were in power , commoners

treated subserviently . A time characterized by limitations to freedom of expression and strict adherence to the political system . This atmosphere of repression created a dire need for escapism ' The annual medieval carnival served this capacity well , however

became riotous when the gates of oppression were opened and able to give the people

time to celebrate unconditionally

Today people are treated equally , a democratic society is observed and abounds . We have the luxury of a myriad of escape routes ' from theater to massive shopping malls . Our problems may be different than those of the Middle Ages , but as human

beings it 's natural to become frustrated and subjugated by daily occurrences . Everyone

warrants a time and place to let off steam

Analyzing the medieval carnival and Disneyworld from the aspect of several authors , it is apparent that the people 's attitude towards leisure was also different . The events are both viewed as social getaways , but also the behavior of the people . Disneyland promotes controlled freedom ' which today 's people advocate the carnival

promotes uncontrolled freedom ' a dream to medieval patrons Work Cited Bakhtin , Mikhail . 2002 "A Politics That Doesn 't Look Like Politics Cultural Resistance Reader : 82-88 (class reading

Baudrillard , Jean . 1996 . Liberation ' Disneyworld Company

Baudrillard , Jean .n .d . European Graduate School 24 April 2008 http /www .egs .edu

Bramham , Peter 1997 Change , Postmodernism Postmodernity ' Reviewing Sociology

http /www .reading .ac .uk

Bryman , Alan . 1999 . The Disneyization of Society ' The Sociological Review

47 (1 , 25-47

Cohen , S . and L . Taylor . 1992 Escape Attempts : The Theory and Practice of Resistance to Everyday Life . London : Routledge

Duncombe , Stephen "Politics in an Age of Fantasy " Dream , NY : The New Press (2007 : 1-27 (class reading

mardigrasdigest .com . n .d . What does Carnival Celebrate ' Mardi Gras Digest

23 April 2008 http /www .mardigrasdigest .com /html /What_does_Carnival_celebrate .htm

Rojek , C .1993 . Ways of Escape : Modern Transformations in Leisure and Travel . Basingstoke : Macmillan

Work Cited Con 't

Ruiz , Teofilo , and n .d . Medieval Europe : Crisis and Renewal . The Teaching Company

23 April 2008

http /www .teach12 .com /ttcx /coursedesclong2 .aspx ?cid 863 pc History 20 20Ancient 20and 20Medieval

Scher Peter . 2003 . From Carnival to Carnival ' Cabinet Magazine Online 24 April 2008

http /www .cabinetmagazine .org /issues /6 /carnival .php...