Examples Of Masculinity In Film

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Masculinity in School Ties Gender roles, learned through culture and society, are based on the perceived physiological and behavioral attributes of men and women. The roles of male film characters have mimicked, influenced and changed the perceived stereotypes of masculinity in society over time. The 1992 film ‘School Ties’, directed by Robert Mandell, is a ‘coming of age’ drama set in a privileged preparatory boys high school in 1950’s America . The film is filled with a gluttony of male characters who provide different versions of masculinity. Viewers are invited to perceive the main character David Green (Brendan Fraser) as the typical high school alpha male who is strong and dominant, but as the film progresses his character reveals complexity…show more content…
These features are traditionally associated with the heroic male stereotype. Mandell uses Greene’s physical appearance and language to establish his dominance and masculinity. He is a good looking, tall, athletic, young healthy male that is recruited as a star quarterback. This is accepted by his team mates and the viewers as he is expected to charge in and save the day. Greene’s physicality and working class background is repeatedly emphasised in no less than six scenes where he resorts to physical fighting to display his dominance and intimidate his opponent. The opening scene of the movie establishes this aggressive aspect of his character with the audience, and a similar “macho” first impression with his classmates is established as he presents with a bruised face and stories of a “rumble”. His relationship with…show more content…
This adds complexity to the foregrounded traditional macho version of masculinity and shows that men struggle with conflicting emotions and expectations. Mandell uses wealth and religion to create conflict and disparity between the characters. Greene’s working class background and his humble upbringing is emphasised by his part time job in the dining room where he must serve his classmates dressed in a stark white uniform. This positions the audience to realise that he has shown courage and determination to fit into a world of privilege without feeling insecure or intimidated. Greene is also torn between his religious faith and his desire to fit in, knowing full well the prejudice that existed and how his faith would change the way he was treated. His decision to conceal his faith is symbolised by the removal of his “Star of David” necklace. On the Jewish New Year, in an effort not to disappoint his father or let his school and team mates down, he ends up breaking the rules for both. Instead of viewing his failure to own up to his faith as an act of cowardice, the audience is able to recognise that Greene is trying to do the best he can in an environment of conflicting adult advice and widespread prejudice. Greene continually gets pulled in all directions as he needs to make
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