Parents, siblings, teachers, celebrities, and even fictional characters can be emulated and regarded as more than just a role model, but a significant authority - a father figure. Tre and Danny are no different. Each has many authority figures, influence, and role models to which they could look up, and sometimes they do. But each director has chosen only one or (in Danny's case) two characters for each child to truly look up to. By examining each filmmaker's shot selection and especially camera angles and placement, we are able to see who it is each director defines as the child's ultimate authority - the paternal figure.
When we first see Tre in an interaction with an authority figure, he is seated in his classroom making jokes to his seemingly nave white teacher. When the teacher responds by challenging him to teach the class himself, he replies with "okay, I can do that."" He stands and is captured in the frame on equal level with his teacher. This standing and putting himself on the same plane (even slightly higher) as his authority figure shows the audience from the very beginning of the movie that Tre will not respect or obey just any authority. When he returns home, he is immediately shot very small and insignificant to his mother who seems, at first, to be his successful parental figure. While Tre continues to be captured as smaller and lower than his mother, literally looking up at her from his seat on the couch, we find out that she will not be Tre's authoritative figure. She is sending him to his father's house because "only a man can raise a man."" It is through this pair of scenes of outright disobedience to his teacher and the hopelessness of being raised by his mother, even if (as we saw) she is a respected power and influence over him, that Singleton shows the audience the true unique nature of the boy's ultimate paternal influence. The audience now understands that Tre's true paternal figure can't be found in a school, can't be found in even a respected female, but can only be found in one person - Furious Styles, his father.
"American History X" is undeniably one of the most poignant and potent movies I have ever seen. ... In "American History X" however, hate destroys the bond between two brothers. ... "American History X" gives us more closure. ... "American History X" has much stronger actors. ... In "American History X" however, we go beyond pity. ...
"One out of every twenty-one Black American males will be murdered in their lifetime. ... This is the first thing that pops on the screen when the movie "Boyz n the Hood " comes on. ... When this altercation happens, his mother realizes that he has to stay with his father. The reason being was only his father could teach him how to become a man. ... There was no community involvement in this movie nor were there many positive figures in this movie. ...
One can see these developments of identity in books, magazines and films such as, Malcolm X, The Souls of Black Folk, Race Matters, American Apartheid, and "Boyz in the Hood- When looking at Malcolm X some of the things that he points out parallels the major point that W.E.B. ... Cornell West goes on to talk about Malcolm X's notion of psychic conversion. ... We will see Malcolm X try to reach out to the blacks to gain this equality. ... We see this problem arise in the book American Apartheid by Douglass S. ... Tre's father talked this about in the film Boyz in the Hood. ...
Pick your Poison: The Similarities and Differences of Malcolm X and Russell Baker Russell Baker and Malcolm X were both born in the year 1925. In the years to follow both of these prominent figures made their way down societies ever-winding paths while living two drastically different lives. ... Although Malcolm X in The Autobiography of Malcolm X and Russell Baker in Growing Up have very few similarities in the way they lived their everyday lives, they do share common themes that can be seen throughout their stages of life. ... Russell's father died when Russell was only five years old...
American History X Critical Review Racism influences a individual because of their social and economical position in life. American History X shows how a racist organization takes advantage and tricks white youth into making them feel like they belong to something. ... In American History X, racism is learned by Derek from his father but it's reaffirmed when his father is killed by a black drug-dealer. ... Anger and sadness are felt while watching American History X. ... The author's message conveyed in American History X is that a racist mind is not fully developed and is eas...
During Malcolm X early years Malcolm experiences his father's preaching of Marcus Garvey. ... As a young child Malcolm X lost his father and a few years later the white society found it unsuitable for Malcolm X mom to raise him and his siblings. ... Malcolm X seemed to have a knack for school he loved history and English. ... Malcolm X ambitions to create equality for the Afro-American people have made him a very influential man in American history. ... The Malcolm X Autobiography explains the life of one of the most influential black men in American history. ...
The movie American History X deals with social stratification in many ways. Derek Vinyard, the protagonist of American History X, grew up in a white lower to middle class family. ... American History X does follow suit. ... This is true in American History X because the process started with Derek's father, who feed Derek the myths. ... American History X portrays this in the grimmest way. ...
