The American Hero

The two depictions of John Chapman are told in compliance with their different audiences. Disney’s version of Johnny Chapman or, Appleseed is meant for a younger audience, where the story of the American legend is told in poetic verses of rhyme. The way it is narrated attracts the attention of a younger audience. The use of music and singing helps children see Appleseed as a hero and a person only of good deeds, pertaining to a true cartoon Disney character. The values in Disney’s story differ from Pollan’s in that Johnny Appleseed is shown in a heroic light, where he helps the traveling pioneers by doing wonders with his planted apple trees. Therefore the idea of helping others by doing good deeds is promoted to the audience of children. Disney’s goal is to tell Appleseed’s general life story from a young man to a ghost of death, focusing and promoting his good values and his famous deeds.

Pollan’s The Botany of Desire is geared toward an older audience where Johnny Appleseed is portrayed as his true name John Chapman, where his story is told in a more factual and historical manner. Pollan’s technique compares and analyzes the tale of John Chapman to the modern reality of Pollan’s experiences. For example, Pollan explains how the seeds of an apple could only make a new and different apple tree. Unlike Disney’s PG short film, Pollan mentions elements of Chapman’s underground life, such as his child bride and his making of applejack, the alcoholic apple beverage. Chapman’s success was brought about greatly by his brewing of applejack as well as his travels to “crucial Appleseed sites” whereas Disney’s portrayal focuses more of his success on his planting of apple trees. It is intriguing that Pollan himself went to search the truth of Chapman by traveling to locations thought to have been graced by John Chapman himself.

Both stories tell of an American legend who was a hero in his time. However, Pollan’s story seems to be more realistic and true than Disney’s because of his factual evidence and the narration of his travels to follow Appleseed’s footsteps. His analysis goes to find the true John Chapman and real deeds and travels he encountered.