The world is made up of two kinds of people—the haves and the have nots. Aladdin falls squarely on the latter side. In fact, he's more like a have nothing. Of course he then has the bad luck to fall in love with a one-percenter. Lucky for him, Jasmine is of the mo' money, mo' problems variety of rich people, so he's got a chance with her. It takes a whole bunch of epic adventures, but eventually, they come together. In Aladdin, true love does conquer all—even the class divide.
Questions about Society and Class
- Why is the poorest character—Aladdin—the only one who's able to enter the Cave of Wonders?
- How are Jasmine's choices limited because of her status as a woman?
- Why do you think Aladdin sees wealth, riches, and increased social status as a way of winning Jasmine's heart? What does he learn about her as he tries to woo her this way?
Chew on This
Both Aladdin and Jasmine romanticize what life must be like for people in other social classes. They eventually realize that everyone is essentially the same, in that they share the same hopes, dreams, and wishes for the future.
Aladdin will eventually become sultan. Perhaps his background as a poor kid will help him rule the kingdom in a more humane way than other sultans.