A recent collection of letters to the Guardian has highlighted the enduring power of animated satire and the significant loss of a journalistic voice. The correspondence, published in the paper's letters section, saw readers engaging with topics ranging from a blockbuster sequel's political commentary to a fond farewell for a respected columnist.
Disney's Animated Allegory Earns Applause
One letter took direct issue with film critic Peter Bradshaw's assertion that no mainstream film is directly confronting Donald Trump's administration. The writer, Peter Kettle from Gravesend, Kent, cited the newly released Zootropolis 2 as a clear counter-example.
Kettle described taking his granddaughters to see the film, where the detective duo of Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps takes on a narcissistic leader named Milton Lynxley. He interpreted the plot as a clear demonstration of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), commending Disney for its bold approach. This viewer's perspective suggests that family entertainment can serve as a potent vehicle for contemporary political commentary.
A Fond Farewell to a Journalistic 'Giant'
In a more sombre note, the letters page also featured a tribute to Martin Kettle, following the announcement that his weekly column would be his last. Reader Malcolm Bower from Gunnislake, Cornwall, expressed sadness at the departure, praising Kettle's "brilliant prose, shrewd political analysis and fierce intellect."
Bower's letter concluded with the poignant statement that "journalism will have lost a giant," underscoring the high regard in which the long-serving columnist is held by the Guardian's readership. His final column, titled "The world of today looks bad, but take hope: we've been here before and got through it – and we will again," was published on 15 January.
Lighter Notes: Duvets, Dogs, and Defining the North
The selection also included several letters of a more whimsical nature, continuing the publication's tradition of eclectic reader contributions. One correspondent recalled the late humorist Miles Kington claiming to be training a small dog to change a double duvet cover, a playful response to a previous discussion about domestic robotics.
The perennial British debate over where 'the North' begins was also reignited. One reader from Chesterfield suggested it's only true north if you're "dotting the ayes," while another shared an anecdote from Inverness where a pub owner referred to visitors from Glasgow as being from "down south."
These letters collectively paint a picture of an engaged readership, keen to discuss everything from high-stakes politics and media changes to the quirks of everyday British life.
