Arguably one of the most recognizable symbols in the Western cultural lexicon, or even that of Eastern cultures, is the silhouette of Mickey Mouse. Popularized in the late 1920s by a series of short films, America’s favorite rodent has come to represent the Walt Disney Studios and the Disney corporation at large. While many individuals would be hard pressed to name a single film that Mickey appears in, the ears logo has become entrenched in popular culture, in part thanks to its simplistic circular design. The company has utilized this circle theme in other deliverables, particularly in their movie posters. While the story lines and animations styles may differ, the inclusion of these symbols generates a sense of unity throughout the various films’ posters. 

A main archetypal definition of circles is inclusion. One Disney poster where this is especially evident is for the 1991 movie “Beauty and the Beast”. The rounded silhouette of the title characters in the middle of the page enhances the idea that the story focuses on them and creates the notion that the two only have eyes for each other. The light emanating from the middle of the poster is reminiscent of the sun, signifying a cheerful, hopeful plot line.

Conversely, circles can also symbolize exclusion. In the poster for the 1989 feature “The Little Mermaid” the placement of the protagonist, Ariel’s, outline over the moon might represent her status as an outsider in the above-shore world. Again, the circular image isgenerating light, putting a greater emphasis on the role that natural elements play throughout the movie. A summary of plot elements can also be seen in circular form in the posters for numerous other films, particularly those from the 1950s-1990s.

Though the posters in question may not pay direct homage to Mickey himself, there is a definite reoccurrence of the shape in the company’s materials. As Mickey illustrator John Hench once quipped, “Mickey Mouse is made up entirely of curves and that’s very reassuring. People have had millions of years experience with curved objects and they’ve never been hurt by them. It’s the sharp and pointed things that give you trouble” (Gabler, Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination), which serves nicely as a tenet for Disney. 
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