Pollan vs. Disney

Michael Pollan, like in the short Disney film, tells the story of John Chapman, also known as Johnny Appleseed, in his novel, The Botany of Desires.  Yet, these two versions of the same story prove to vary upon closer comparison.  In the novel, Pollan reveals that apples originated in Kazakhstan whereas the Disney version of the story implies that the cultivation of this fruit developed in the early settlements of America.  Furthermore, Pollan emphasizes that the apples produced from apple seeds are very different from the actual apple it came from and are not usually eaten.  This demonstrates that the apples that John Chapman produced were used mainly for hard cider, yet the Disney film suggests that these apples were not only edible but extremely sweet and used in numerous dishes such as apple pie, apple tart, and applesauce for the early pilgrims.  Pollan illustrates the fact that John was able to bring the intoxicating affects of alcohol to the early American pioneers while Disney portrays a different enjoyment in the consumption of apples in sweet desserts.  Additionally, John Chapman himself is portrayed differently in each story.  Pollan describes John as almost animal like and complicated in regards to his connection to nature, as he tells of the instance in which John "punished" his foot for stepping on a worm as well as his experience of floating and sleeping on a block of ice.  In contrast, Disney depicts Johnny Appleseed as a simple, innocent, and pious man who solely desires to plant apple seeds.  This way of portraying John is attributed to the fact that children are Disney's main targeted audience.  The scene of pioneers playing games as well as the human like actions of the wild animals is further evidence to the fact that the youth encompasses the audience of Disney works.  Disney shows to promote the value of respect of nature by including Johnny's relationship with the animals of the forest and his own respect towards them.  Another value, which is transmitted through the presence of Johnny's guardian angel to the audience, is the necessity of using one's own talent to help humankind.  In contrast, the targeted audience of Michael Pollan's novel is more of an academic group, leading him to portray this story in a more mature, factual, and realistic manner.  He emphasizes the evolution and domestication of apples into the American culture as well as how it was altered over time because of the fact that apples had to adapt to a different environment of America.  Pollan depicts John Chapman in a more sophisticated way, describing him mainly as a businessman, as he would strategically plant the new apple trees based on where the pioneers were going to settle.  The Disney story implies that Johnny Appleseed planted the trees in order to please the pioneers while Pollan emphasizes John's desire of making a profit as his main source of motivation.  I personally believe that Pollan's version of the story is more factual because the aspects of it are more realistic.  Pollan does not only portray John Chapman in a positive light as the Disney film does, but also his personal flaws and his realistic economic ambitions for planting the apple trees.