Swimming for Inclusion ~ An Ideological Analysis of Finding Nemo

inding Nemo was the first of many Disney movies I watched growing up. From these movies I could quote countless lines and reenact scenes without a thought, but if you told me to quote Hamlet, I would be blank. So, the question stands, what has shaped me more and what has molded our generation into who we are today?

Disney was most our first examples of how people interact in the world and is THE model that children grow up seeing. Through movies like Finding Nemo, it shapes how individuals view themselves and one another. All this is to say that Disney’s narratives contribute to the ideologies we carry into adulthood.

Finding Nemo is not just a compelling story of a cute clown fish, it is in fact a showcase of Disney’s ability to seamlessly integrate profound themes in its stories without being preachy. The mainstream storyline is the adventurous journey reconnecting dad and son. But in Finding Nemo I discovered a sunken treasure – a multifaceted representation of disability.

Unlike the other fish, Nemo is born with a physical disability of a small fin which he affectionately calls his ‘lucky fin’. Throughout his life, he has learned to adapt to it, portraying this as a testament to his confidence. At his school, a microcosm of a diverse society, his peers embrace and admire him, showcasing the importance of acknowledging and celebrating differences.

Contrary to assumptions, Nemo swims just as proficiently as his peers, challenging the narrative that disabilities limit individuals. The film delicately unfolds Nemo’s journey, reflecting the real-life experiences of people who defy expectations, even in the face of underestimation from those closest to them like Nemo and his father Marlin. Nemo’s disability becomes an integral but positive part of his identity, transforming him into a teacher of valuable lessons.

What makes this movie standout from the conventional narratives is its refusal to reduce Nemo’s character to his disability. Unlike many stories, the movie avoids the pitfall of typecasting Nemo into the stereotypical role of a disabled person facing continuous misfortune.

Instead of emphasizing Nemo’s physical difference, the representation of disability is presented as a socially created concept, rather than a state of body to which value judgements are assigned. This helps portray his ‘disability’ as a playful element in the movie.  I think it is this approach that allows the disability aspect to seamlessly blend into the narrative, subtly floating past the mainstream audience. The success of diversity in this movie lies in the non-traditional portrayals of disability, presenting a more relatable representation. In the end, Marlin learns to trust in Nemo’s capabilities, and the movie disapproves the stereotypes about disability and Nemo is triumphant.

Another factor contributing to Nemo’s normalized portrayal is the diverse range of aquatic companions and sidekicks in the film. A standout figure among them is undoubtedly Dory, the lively blue tang and Marlin’s sidekick who is easily one of the most recognizable and popular characters in the film. Dory, however, suffers from chronic short term memory loss. Although her condition presents challenges, in the film it becomes a source of comical charm. Her uniqueness is evident when she proves to be the sole character capable of reading English and speaking whale, showcasing her extraordinary abilities that transcend her disability. Dory’s adaptability also shines though as she navigates key moments in the story revealing a character whose abnormality is not a limitation but rather an endearing trait. This is important as ‘how individuals are portrayed in popular media can have a profound effect on how they are viewed by society at large’. Marlin recognizes Dory’s vale despite her adversity and would not have been able to complete the journey without her.

Some other additions to this lively cast that make this more representative of society than most animated movies include Marlin who grapples with anxiety and trauma following the loss of his wife, introducing a layer of complexity rarely explored in animated films. Jacques, the shrimp in the dentist’s fish tank who exhibits obsessive compulsive tendencies adding another dimension to the diverse cast in this film. There are also the very humorous, ‘Vegetarian Aspiring Sharks’ engaging in their 5-step program. Each step in the program satirizes the typical stages of self-help or addiction recovery programs, adding a commentary on the societal expectations and assumptions imposed on individuals. Look at it closely! This movie is an ocean of representation.

All of the remarkable, “abnormal,” even freakish characters in “Finding Nemo” swim with and against the undertones, and neither “overcome” their so-called physical and intellectual “problems,” nor prevail “in spite of” them, as conventional narrative and stereotypes would prescribe. And as for graphic illustration, they far exceed their two dimensions.