Persuasive Essay- Lion King

Many people around the world believe that love is the one thing that we could

ever hope to give or receive. Love is the thing that can help one overcome many

difficulties during life time. It is so powerful that it can make a frown turn into a smile

and can help mend a broken heart. There are many types of love; there is true love

where one meets the love of their life, family and friendship love. In the movie, The

Lion King, all three types of love are developed. Nala, who is Simba’s true love, gives

Simba the extra support to fight for his kingdom. Family love is shown when Mufasa

protects Simba from dangerous environments. The most important is friendship love

and is revealed through Timon and Pumba where they both can do anything to help

Simba.

        Meeting someone that you truly love is a beautiful thing. In the movie The

Lion King Nala, Simba’s true love，can do anything to help him get Pride Rock back

even to risk her life. She gives Simba the extra support and strength that is required. If

Nala was not with Simba, he might not have had the courage to go back and fight: “In

the arithmetic of love, one plus one equals everything, and two minus one equals

nothing” (Mignon McLaughlin). Even when Nala is aware of the dangers, she still stays

with Simba. Love is always forgiving. Forgiving is a great way of displaying love

towards ones’ loved one. Simba is alive the entire time, but keeps his existence as a

secret from everyone else. If Simba have return earlier, then Nala and Sarabi would not

have suffered so much unbearable pain caused by the death of Mufasa, and the way Scar

treats them. However, instead of being angry Nala forgives and encourages him to

return to his kingdom. Although Nala was not the main character in Simba’s life but the

love towards Simba is never wasted because he eventually did return to Pride Rock,

“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the

one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver” (Barbara De Angelis). As we can

see, Simba’s true love, Nala, turned his life from bitterness (not wanting to face the past)

to contentment by assisting him to fight for his kingdom. Family love is also very

important in Simba’s life.

 Families are people who love and care for us. They are always there to protect,

mentor, and assist us. Protection from a father is really important, and in the movie

Mufasa is portrayed as a great father and is a hero in Simba’s eyes, “I cannot think of

any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection” (Sigmund Freud).

He would go through difficult obstacles just to protect and save Simba. Scar who is

Simba’s uncle, persuaded Simba to remain in the gorge while he gets out; despite the

fact that a herd of Antelopes were making their way into the gorge. Scar then gets

Mufasa to save Simba. It was really dangerous but without a thought, Mufasa went and

saved Simba. He loved Simba so much that even if he were to sacrifice his life, it would

mean nothing. Simba was saved but unfortunately his father died. As an example of a

good father, he teaches his son the many life skills and morals, only to prevent him from

danger. Whenever Simba is in trouble, his father is always the first one to look after

him. Mufasa rarely yelled at Simba because, “An angry father is most cruel towards

himself” (Publilius Syrus), it could hurt Mufasa more than it hurt Simba. Even when he

is dead, his spirit is still alive to guide Simba through difficulties. He guided Simba to

return to his home and find out the truth of Mufasa’s death. Mufasa influenced Simba to

be a courageous king and reminded him to brave and face the past as, “Small boys

become big men through the influence of big men who care about small

boys.”(Unknown). As one can see, through father love, it guided Simba to the right

path. Will this be the same for a friendship love?

Friendship is a major part of life. As children, one depends on parents and sees

them as their only friends. However, life progresses on to the next stage where one

makes friends and relies on them for support. Love from friends can take away grieves

and bring upon happiness. When Timon and Pumba discovered Simba in the desert,

regardless if they knew he was a lion, they saved him, knowing that: “The best way to

destroy an enemy is to make him a friend” (Abraham Lincol). This is what turned them

into good friends as what one will see later in the movie. “Friendship improves

happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joys, and dividing our grief” (Joseph

Addison). Pumba and Timon help Simba to heal his broken heart from the death of his

dad and taught him a song called “Hakuna Matata”. This is a song that helped cure

Simba’s heart through the days without his parents. Both Timon and Pumba are very

afraid of the Hyenas but because it is Simba they are helping, they think it is worth it.

“The road to a friend's house is never long” (Danish Proverb). The road to go to Pumba

and Timon for help is never far because they are always there for Simba. He depends on

his parents but after he runs away, Timon and Pumba became his support of life. They

are always there to entertain Simba whether he’s happy or not and that is what true

friendship is about.

Love is the greatest thing one can ever receive or give. It can guide one through

many difficulties during their lifetime. There are many types of love; the ones that were

important to the movie are friendship, family and true love. Friendship love can be seen

when Simba meets Pumba and Timon where they went through many obstacles only to

help Simba. Family love is really important towards a one’s childhood; Mufasa gives

the love and protection that Simba needed when he is still a baby. When Simba met

Nala, it can be seen that he had found his love of his life. Nala forgives Simba’s lies and

is always encouraging him. The Lion King is a great movie that portrays the true

meaning of love.

Table of Content

Page #

1……………………………………………………The cause or effect essay chart

2 …………..................................Guided Note taking: Compare/contrast essay

3………………...Sample essay response: “why we do crave for horror movies”

4……….Persuasive essay sample response: “Tragedy and the common man”

5………………………. Persuasive essay sample response: “Wrong Ism”

6…………………………………….……….Graphic Organizer: Persuasive essay

7………………………….…..….……….Graphic Organizer: Cause or effect

Essay

8……………………….……...………….Graphic Organizer: Cause or effect

Essay

9………………………………Graphic Organizer: Compare and contrast essay

10-11……………………………………………...……….Rough copy: Effect essay

12-14…………………………………………….…….Rough copy: Contrast Essay

15-17…………………………………………………….….Good copy: Effect essay

18-19……………………………………………………Good copy: Contrast Essay

20-21………………………………………….Rough copy of The Lion King Essay

22-25…………….…………………Final copy of The Lion King Persuasive essay

26…………………………………………………………………………….…Rubric