Stereotypes In The Breakfast Club

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The film “The Breakfast Club” directed by John Hughes is a compelling film that illustrates the inner working of the teenage mind-set. A film quite literally opens your eyes to how teenagers work within different stereotypes. John Hughes is able to show how although each character may give the impression that everything is “OK” but really, on the inside their whole life is just constant stress. This stress, which numerous things including their parents and peers brought on, effected them in a way in which throughout the film, we as the audience have more insight into their lives as teenagers. Many of the characters in this film are easily relatable; however, Hughes has been able to show the differences within the inner workings of their minds…show more content…
Each of them represent a different part of our personalities. Hughes uses these different personalities to show that stress can always find a way to penetrate their inner minds. For the character Brian, aka the “brain” his constant stress leads him to the point of no return, suicide. Brian represents the geek or nerd, which means Brian being this particular character, is always getting high grades, and his teachers adore him. This has however caused him constant stress from his family and peers, as he has put the status of “the brain” to his name and therefore cannot afford any screw-ups in his academic life. This is evident in the film as unfortunately for Brian, stress takes its toll in him. Brian somehow managed to fail a drop put subject, which therefore destroyed his grade A status. Brian had into his head that he could easily pass will flying colours because of “some of the dopes who take shop.” This clearly illustrated what life for Brian was like at home, as his family had lead him to believe that he could excel at any subject. When Brian failed however he instantly knew done for. Even if I ace the rest of the semester ill still only get a B.” This quote from the film shows that already brains so called status is shattered due to this ne slip up. He simply could not cope with not have that top grade average. “I can’t have this and I know my parents certainly can’t have it” this was the quote that…show more content…
To make sure that their so-called “status” stays with them throughout the rest of their high school lives. In this film we as the audience can easily imagine how many of these characters lives really are, this is evident through their behaviours displayed in detention when they all open up. We can see a clear hierarchy structure within the group of students that separates each character into their stereotypes.one character that is at the top of this hierarchy system is Andrew Clarke who like Brian is under a lot of stress from his parents to do well to maintain his so called “popular” status. Andrew is the “jock,” the person every person wants to be. He has both a high-status on the wrestling team and is the most popular boy in school. Andrew is under even more stress then Brian as he represent the top of the hierarchy system where as Brian did not, this done particularly by his dad. Andrews’s dad has one priority in life and that is to win. This has unfortunately lead Andrew to become like the character Brian and create a certain status at this school. His status differs from Brian however as his main ambition is to win and be the coolest person in school. Throughout the film, Andrew displays the kind of person who could “take” anyone who got in his way. He believes that he is the best due to all his
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