An analysis on the Gorge
Posted: May 8th, 2018, 1:01 am
I really wrestled with where I wanted to post this topic as The Gorge appears in every LK movie so it could've gone anywhere but I felt it really didn't fit in any individual movie forum so I ultimately decided to post it here instead, if one feels this isn't the correct place to post it and knows a better place than I would happily accept your suggestion as I want this analysis to be where it properly belongs. Now that we have introductions out of the way let us begin our in depth look at what may very well one of the most important locations Disney ever created.
In every movie the gorge is where the most significant events of the characters unravel it seems to lie at the heart of the pride lands and every encounter there brings about great change in all forms. Simba's grief and guilt for his father's demise, Kovu's own guilt in Nuka's death and his presumed betrayal, Zira's denial of her son's loss, Timon's loss of faith in his path. Scar's reign, Zira's War, the unity of the prides, and Timon's parenthood.
The Gorge brings about great tragedy and death but with each death it also brings about rebirth and even a possibility for redemption. As tragic as Mufasa's death was it was the step to Simba's maturity of breaking his pride, ego and self entitled attitude. Simba did die in that Gorge and he was reborn as someone else someone who while plagued by guilt had been humbled it's unlikely cub Simba would've had any respect for Timon and Pumba and would've looked down on them. Simba was full of himself not unlike his uncle. Cub Simba was someone Scar could've very easily controlled and by putting the guilt on him Scar humbled his nephew and destroyed any chance he had of controlling him.
Scar was successful in killing Simba metaphorically and it sealed his fate. While crossing the line Scar still had a chance at redemption with Simba. He sacrificed his brother for the throne and there a few shots suggesting that Scar is seriously contemplating his decision it's possible Scar was considering killing Simba when he approached him but hesitates. The gorge was a moment of no return for Scar yet he wasn't condemned yet there was still a chance of redemption Scar had, a chance he refused proceeding to blame Simba. There is a bit of an irony to this as Scar likely does at the time blame Simba for Mufasa's death as his birth made it necessary. Scar in his mind is likely not lying, but rather is in the same denial Simba is not wanting to take responsibility yet.
Simba and Scar in this moment are in very similar places and though Scar doesn't show it this is deeply shaking him and he is considering just what he is going to do with Simba since he likely didn't count on him surviving the stampede now he has to deal with him but will he? There is a great deal of hidden emotion on Scar's face as he approached Simba like he really didn't know what he was going to do.
Simba is obviously shaken as well believing his roar started the stampede and wanting comfort which Scar will not give. Scar saying what he does only confirms what Simba already believes that his father's is dead because of him. Simba's words what am I going to do are likely what Scar is thinking. Mufasa's death in the gorge changed everything and both Simba and Scar are both grappling with the repercussions but even in this tragedy there is a chance for redemption if Scar and Simba take it but neither do. Simba believes he doesn't deserve it and Scar won't accept he did anything wrong, so what might've been a chance to actually give Scar something to live for was rejected.
Scar tells Simba to run away and never return and Simba believing he killed his father succumbs to his guilt. Scar than rejects any chance of humanity by ordering the hyenas to kill him. He's been grappling with just what he is going to do and finally decides. Simba metaphorically died in the gorge and was reborn as someone completely different Scar had a chance at rebirth but ultimately rejected it and by refusing to accept responsibility and blaming Simba he destroyed his chance to control Simba insuring he would one day return and usurp him.
The story of the gorge will continue in the following post as the symbolism it represents will continue through the other characters story as will how they all form one full narrative for the gorge that ultimately decides the fate of the pride lands itself.
In every movie the gorge is where the most significant events of the characters unravel it seems to lie at the heart of the pride lands and every encounter there brings about great change in all forms. Simba's grief and guilt for his father's demise, Kovu's own guilt in Nuka's death and his presumed betrayal, Zira's denial of her son's loss, Timon's loss of faith in his path. Scar's reign, Zira's War, the unity of the prides, and Timon's parenthood.
The Gorge brings about great tragedy and death but with each death it also brings about rebirth and even a possibility for redemption. As tragic as Mufasa's death was it was the step to Simba's maturity of breaking his pride, ego and self entitled attitude. Simba did die in that Gorge and he was reborn as someone else someone who while plagued by guilt had been humbled it's unlikely cub Simba would've had any respect for Timon and Pumba and would've looked down on them. Simba was full of himself not unlike his uncle. Cub Simba was someone Scar could've very easily controlled and by putting the guilt on him Scar humbled his nephew and destroyed any chance he had of controlling him.
Scar was successful in killing Simba metaphorically and it sealed his fate. While crossing the line Scar still had a chance at redemption with Simba. He sacrificed his brother for the throne and there a few shots suggesting that Scar is seriously contemplating his decision it's possible Scar was considering killing Simba when he approached him but hesitates. The gorge was a moment of no return for Scar yet he wasn't condemned yet there was still a chance of redemption Scar had, a chance he refused proceeding to blame Simba. There is a bit of an irony to this as Scar likely does at the time blame Simba for Mufasa's death as his birth made it necessary. Scar in his mind is likely not lying, but rather is in the same denial Simba is not wanting to take responsibility yet.
Simba and Scar in this moment are in very similar places and though Scar doesn't show it this is deeply shaking him and he is considering just what he is going to do with Simba since he likely didn't count on him surviving the stampede now he has to deal with him but will he? There is a great deal of hidden emotion on Scar's face as he approached Simba like he really didn't know what he was going to do.
Simba is obviously shaken as well believing his roar started the stampede and wanting comfort which Scar will not give. Scar saying what he does only confirms what Simba already believes that his father's is dead because of him. Simba's words what am I going to do are likely what Scar is thinking. Mufasa's death in the gorge changed everything and both Simba and Scar are both grappling with the repercussions but even in this tragedy there is a chance for redemption if Scar and Simba take it but neither do. Simba believes he doesn't deserve it and Scar won't accept he did anything wrong, so what might've been a chance to actually give Scar something to live for was rejected.
Scar tells Simba to run away and never return and Simba believing he killed his father succumbs to his guilt. Scar than rejects any chance of humanity by ordering the hyenas to kill him. He's been grappling with just what he is going to do and finally decides. Simba metaphorically died in the gorge and was reborn as someone completely different Scar had a chance at rebirth but ultimately rejected it and by refusing to accept responsibility and blaming Simba he destroyed his chance to control Simba insuring he would one day return and usurp him.
The story of the gorge will continue in the following post as the symbolism it represents will continue through the other characters story as will how they all form one full narrative for the gorge that ultimately decides the fate of the pride lands itself.