How to Read Donald Duck

work by Dorfman and Mattelart

Also known as: “Para leer al Pato Donald”

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July 17, 2026

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How to Read Donald Duck is a critical Marxist analysis by Ariel Dorfman and Armand Mattelart that examines the imperialist ideology embedded within Disney comics, particularly those featuring Donald Duck. Published in 1971, the book argues that these seemingly innocent comics promote capitalist values and a specific worldview that serves to maintain the status quo.1

The work became a bestseller and was translated into numerous languages, highlighting its significant impact on cultural criticism. It uses Donald Duck as a case study to deconstruct how popular media can subtly transmit political and economic messages.12

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…leer al Pato Donald (1971; How to Read Donald Duck) by Ariel Dorfman and Armand Mattelart. This was a highly critical Marxist examination of the ubiquitous Disney comic (in the English-language edition of 1975, the subtitle Imperialist Ideology in the Disney Comic was added). This book was a rare example…
Read More
…leer al Pato Donald (1971; How to Read Donald Duck) by Ariel Dorfman and Armand Mattelart. This was a highly critical Marxist examination of the ubiquitous Disney comic (in the English-language edition of 1975, the subtitle Imperialist Ideology in the Disney Comic was added). This book was a rare example…
Read More