Lions, Diamonds, and Kites Oh My!

When comparing the movies The Lion King, Blood Diamond and the novel The Kite Runner, complete innocence is a reoccurring theme. It is prevalent when looking at Simba, in his youth as a cub. He is innocent in his early life due to his sheltered life and lack of experience. Simba lived under his father’s constant watch and guidance resulting in Simba’s protection against the cruel realities that lie in the jungle, the mighty jungle. Simba’s courage and innocence is toppled when his father is brutally murdered this horror overwhelms Simba putting him in a fragile state of mind. He is unable to come to terms with his loss so consequentially he runs away leaving his sheltered life behind him. Simba’s character closely relates to that of Amir. They both followed the lifestyle of “when the going gets tough, run away” although that’s not what they were taught. When the obstacles in their paths became overwhelming they took the way out that was easiest for them, without taking anyone else into consideration. These similar ideas can be seen in the children taken from their homes to work with the rebels in Blood Diamond. They are exposed to a violent and unforgiving world which is a polar opposite from what they are used to. This theme parallels that of Simba’s journey into the jungle. Simba and the children don’t understand the hidden agenda’s of those who guide them. In Simba’s case, Scar is out to gain the kingdom, and in the movie Blood Diamond the rebels are out to recruit child soldiers. All the characters actions had consequences that no one could have predicted with devastating outcomes. Mufasa’s safe kingdom turned into a nightmare, where lions were starving, and the animals no longer lived harmoniously together. Hassan’s life turned into a nightmare, where the emotional living conditions could no longer be tolerated and they had to leave. Africa was torn apart because of its own civil war resulting in the loss of the children's childhood.