Englisch Abitur Zusammenfassung - Gran Torino

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his contempt for his Hmong neighbours and the gang; does not distinguish between different Asian ethnic groups-> for him, they are all the same His conservatism, patriotism and racial prejudices make him a typical representative of his generation ➜he fought for his country in Korea and the Cold War (Korean War 1950-1953, Cold War 1947-1991) -> shaped his deeply rooted patriotism (only one with an American flag outside his house) -> source of his racial prejudices Relation to Hmongs the Hmong neighbours remind Walt of his war crimes ➤ he has to learn that he has more in common with his Hmong neighbours than with his own family (share a conservative belief in sticking to one's own country and traditions) ► self-reflection in the mirror at the Hmong party -> turning point in his life; starting point of taking Thao under his wing ➤ becomes a male role model for Thao; the Hmong become his substitute family ➤ Walt realizes that he is responsible for the escalation of violence sacrificing himself in the confrontation with the Asian gang, he finally finds peace as he takes the chance to atone for his lifelong guilt redeemed from his sins salvation THAO VANG LOR 16-year-old teenager who grows up in a female dominated household (sister Sue, mother,grandmother) without any male role model Thao's father was very traditional —> educated them according to Hmong values (e.g. to be obedient) Identity Crisis ►lacks self-confidence -> torn between gender roles and national identities in the first half of the movie Thao's male identity is questioned -> the Latino gang ask him whether he is a "boy or a girl" ➤ Walt says that he is a "pussy" and that he has got "no balls" he is born in the United States, but he cannot deny his Asian roots in the beginning he lacks everything which is generally seen as part of an ideal American man ➤ easy to push around; pressurized into joining the Hmong gang he does not know where he belongs ➜searches for an identity Asian Gang The Hmong gang tries to take him by force; without Walt's interference he would have ended in their custody Thao suffers from his resistance to join the Hmong gang (e.g. he gets injured by them; drive-by-shooting) First, he accepts the brutality of the gang and does not want Walt to do anything against it After Sue's rape, he wants to take revenge and he is willing to kill them but he is locked up in the basement of Walt's house, because Walt wants to keep him from getting blood on his hands ● As compensation for his attempted theft, he has to do jobs for Walt Kowalski -> the first time in his life, he succeeds in doing men's work he begins to shape up the neighborhood/ works for the community->he rises to the tasks presented to him -> Walt becomes like a father for Thao -> helps Thao to be manned up in his behavior and language; he teaches and supports him Thao starts dating the Hmong girl Youa ● Thao inherits Walt's Gran Torino -> final step in becoming a grown-up man; gives him the opportunity to assimilate into American society SUE LOR 17-year-old confident, strong, smart, intellectual, young woman superior to her male counterparts -> has the courage to stand up for herself (due to her self-confidence she makes fun of Spider's name reaction to the African American men who start to harass her -> she alludes to their racial stereotypes and criticizes them for their flawed language the members of the Hmong gang rape her in order to show their dominant masculine roles over her she bridges the gap between her family and Walt Kowalski -> without her, they would have not become friends; she invites him over and teaches him about Hmong culture she does not have any difficulties living in two worlds —> she respects the Hmong traditions, but she also seems to be assimilated into the Western world OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HMONG COMMUNITY Grandmother Phong representative of the first-generation immigrants, fleeing communist persecution in 1980 she cannot understand why Walt has not left the neighbourhood like all the other white people -> racial prejudices against Americans she has not learnt English; she speaks Hmong throughout the movie -> language barrier has prevented her from integrating into the American lifestyle she lives according to the traditions she brought with her from Asia (e.g. her clothing) Smokie & Spider Spider is the leader of the Hmong gang ► they terrorize the neighbourhood -> follow their own rules without any resistance from the Hmong community -> nobody dares to talk to the police ►Smokie and his gang are unemployed; they don't want to be Americanized or aim at being given access to society ➤ it is important for them to defend their territory; disobedience in their own community is punished they press a lit cigarette into Thao's face to publicly show their dominance they return any hostile action against them -> spiral of violence in the end, they shoot the unarmed Walt -> they will probably be imprisoned for the rest of their lives The Hmongs HMONG HISTORY AND PORTAYAL IN THE MOVIE the Hmongs are a small, rather unknown ethnic minority in the US (belong to the poorest ethnic groups in America) the Hmong supported the Americans in the Vietnam War -> after the communist takeover they were persecuted and many of them fled to the US low level of education, unemployment, gang violence → criticism: the Hmong people are stereotypically portrayed as docile and passive so that they cannot solve their problems on their own and need support FIRST-AND SECOND-GENERATION IMMIGRANTS Phong (Thao's and Sue's grandmother) and her daughter Vu represent the first generation of immigrants; they keep their cultural traditions and do not speak English rather prejudiced against white America second-generation Hmong Americans show different levels of integration ● ● ➜ Sue seems to be most assimilated whereas the Hmong gang lives according to their own rules STEREOTYPES ● most Hmong girls are smart and able to adapt to American society many boys do not accept their father's values -> having no orientation, some of them turn criminal -> "The girls go to college, and the boys go to jail" the main characters seem to correspond to stereotypes of Hmong Americans WALT KOWALSKI Historical Backgrounds Ambiguity of belonging House / Neighbourhood / Community Walt's past life ● Detroit in the 1950s: peak population well-paid jobs in the automobile industry ● ● well-maintained house in a safe neighbourhood where mostly white middle-class people/ automobile workers lived he went to church, because it was important to his wife Walt's present life (starting at the beginning of the movie) Detroit in the 21st century: ► decline of the auto industry ► dramatic drop in population ► entire neighbourhoods are abandoned only white person still living in the only well-maintained house in a Hmong dominated neighbourhood all white people have left and are replaced by Asian immigrants the church doesn't mean anything to him Walt's job Walt's family Walt's doctor War / Violence / Crime ● worked all of his life for the Ford Motor company assembling cars ● ➤ put the steering column in his own Gran Torino married to the best wife he could imagine two sons (who he never had a close relationship with) Dr. Feldman used to be his doctor (experienced, male, white) fought as a soldier in the Korean War ➤ won a silver star Medal for his service killed at least 13 people, even teenagers ● retired ● ➤he still keeps his house/ yard/ car in perfect conditions ► fixes things that don't need to be fixed lost his beloved wife Dorothy feels completely estranged from his two sons, their families and their ways of living children show no respect (clothing, behaviour, language) Dorothy's death does not affect them emotionally • they don't really show sympathy for Walt, but instead appear superficial no communication between Walt and his family only companion is his dog Daisy his old doctor is replaced by a young Asian female doctor burdened by war memories and feelings of guilt defends his property and possessions he doesn't rely on the police and takes the action in his own hands ● MOMENTS OF WARMTH AND BELONGING IN WALT'S LIFE sitting on his porch with his dog; drinking beer and admiring his Gran Torino meeting his old friends at the bar; drinking and telling each other (racist) jokes Belong ► lost many ● friends in the war ➤ learned to rely on himself and defend himself IN WHAT WAYS DOES WALT BELONG OR NOT BELONG IN THE BEGINNING? ● ● getting a haircut and joking with his old friend Martin, the barber talking to his friend Tim at the construction site driving around in his Ford truck and maintaining his Gran Torino answers violence with violence seems to be the typical representative of an American blue-collar worker house in a (formerly) white neighbourhood, family, no financial hardship, job in a traditional industry (Ford Motor Company) proud of his work ethics -> a symbol of Detroit's glorious past self-reliant Not belong lonely old man without any really close connection to other people HOW DOES HE MANAGE TO CHANGE THINGS? watches Sue and Thao's ways of behaviour and their situations; they become a catalyst for his change compares the Lor family with his own family -> he realizes the true nature of his self-imposed emotional and physical isolation questions his prejudices and moves beyond them opens up and reaches out to other people (the Lor family, Father Janovich, confesses to Thao) accepts Sue's quality as a role model; wants to change life by mentoring Thao as a war veteran, he faces and accepts his past ● estranged from his sons and their families no real friends: only superficial bantering with Martin at the barber shop / cracking jokes with his drinking buddies (stereotypical "hard man" behaviour) realises that he does not belong -> "the last of his kind" in his street HOW DOES WALT REGAIN HIS SENSE OF BELONGING? he protects his Hmong neighbours from the gangs -> earns their respect (they bring him food and start to respect him) ● ● ➜ he feels that he has more in common with the Hmong than with his own family he becomes a mentor/ father-figure/ role-model for Thao ● Yes: later he maintains the neighbourhood with Thao's help he saves Sue from the black gang he befriends Sue and Thao despite he is not a Hmong he feels welcome at the Hmong party ➜at the end of the movie, he is "at peace" ➜ he is willing to sacrifice himself in order to help Thao and to revenge Sue IS WALT SUCCESSFUL IN THE END? HAS HE ACHIEVED A SENSE OF BELONGING? ● ● teaches him how to act like a man, how to use tools, helps him to get a job and a date he can make up for his failures as a father he starts to respect Father Janovich ("Call me Walt"), opens up to him (bar scene, goes to confession) yes from a psychological point of view: he is no longer the grumpy, distanced, arrogant cynic as at the beginning of the film he opens up, finds a new family and purpose in life, becomes a role model to Thao sacrifices his life ➜ succeeded in removing the gang from Sue's and Thao's lives THAO DANG LOR IN WHAT WAYS DOES THAO BELONG OR NOT BELONG AT THE BEGINNING? Belong ● ● ● ● ● Ambiguity of belonging Yes: raised by a single mother and grandparents part of a large family part of the Hmong culture born in the US -> goes to school in the US and speaks both languages -> legally, he has a clear status as a Hmong American ● Not belong ● ● ● ● does not want to belong to his cousin's gang, feels under pressure no friends, no relationship to a girl full of self-doubt HOW DOES HE MANAGE TO CHANGE THINGS? takes responsibility, accepts that he will have to take care of his life himself stands up for his ideas develops plans for the future and becomes active in their pursuit he does not have a feeling of belonging → torn between his family roots and the expectations of American society IS HE SUCCESSFUL IN THE END? DOES HE ACHIEVE A SENSE OF BELONGING? he starts working in construction -with Walt's support as a role model, Thao is manned up shows stability and support for his sister and family has connected to mainstream US society has begun to actively shape his life he is successful in finding his male identity ➜essential elements: having a car, a job and a girlfriend SUE VANG LOR IN WHAT WAYS DOES SUE BELONG OR NOT BELONG AT THE BEGINNING? Belong Ambiguity of belonging ● part of American society No: raised by a single mother and grandparents, part of a large family part of the Hmong culture strong feeling of belonging →➜ well integrated; confident and easy-going ● more assimilated than all other Hmong characters meets American friends dates a white boy HOW DOES SHE MANAGE TO CHANGE THINGS? does not really change anything she is able to develop a close relationship with Walt her optimism comes to an abrupt end when she is raped by her cousin's gang IS SHE SUCCESSFUL IN THE END? HAS SHE ACHIEVED A SENSE OF BELONGING? ● Not belong from the optimistic, sensible and life-affirming young woman to a struggling, broken girl Relationship between Walt & Thao IGNORANCE AND RACIAL PREJUDICES Walt and the Lor family seem to have lived to each other for quite a while -> no contact between the two families, because they belong to different cultures in their first meeting, Thao asks for jumper cables -> Walt slams the door in his face, uttering racial slurs FAILED INITIATION RITUAL Thao's attempt to steal Walt's Gran Torino brings the two protagonists together Spider and his gang pull up -> they try to force Thao into their car; the fighting spills into Walt's yard TURNING-POINT Walt observes Thao helping a woman with her spilled groceries > breaks the ice in their relationship thanks to Sue's initiative, he joins in the Hmong barbecue Sue teaches Walt about Hmong traditions and he enjoys tasting different Hmong dishes Walt takes a long look at himself in the mirror (act of self-recognition) ➜ he realizes that he has more in common with the family of Thao than with his own family in an act of self-defence, Walt scares away the Asian gang ("Get off my lawn") and they hastily drive away Walt is considered to be the saviour of the neighbourhood -> his porch is covered with presents from the Hmongs; he disrespects the Hmong's gratefulness by dumping the gifts in the trash the Lor family owes him a lot -> they are ashamed that Thao tried to steal the car, so he has to apologize for it and he has to work for Walt as a punishment TAKING THAO UNDER HIS WING Thao does jobs for the community under Walt's scrutiny -> they shape up the neighbourhood ● ● TAKING THAO UNDER HIS WING They need mutual help: Thao needs someone to man him up/ a father figure, Walt needs company Thao starts developing into a man ● Thao begins to look up to Walt -> he becomes a role model for him Thao gives the older man a new purpose in life and a chance to redeem the mistakes he made when rearing his own two sons Walt sees a necessity in manning him up ➤Walt brings Thao to his barber Martin to teach him how to talk like a real man ➤ Walt vouches for Thao, so that he gets a job in construction -> Thao is good at applying his recently acquired male language and behavior ➤Walt supplies him with tools and a tool belt for his new job Walt invites Thao, Sue, their mother and Youa to an American barbecue (substitute family) ● Walt lets Thao take his Gran Torino for his date with Youa WALT'S GUILT AND SACRIFICE Spider and the Hmong Gang beat up Thao and break his tools, they press a lit cigarette into Thao's cheek as a punishment for his disobedience when his sister comes home, brutally beaten and raped, Thao wants to take revenge Walt realizes that the boy's demand for revenge is the mirror image of Walt's own warped sense of justice ➤ ➤ Walt tricks Thao in his basement and locks him up -> he confesses to Thao that he killed innocent people in Korea ● Walt confronts the Hmong gang alone and sacrifices himself so that Sue and Thao can live in peace EPILOGUE in the end, Thao comes to respect with Walt's decision to lock him up in the basement he appreciates the chance he has given him to start over with a clean slate and an unblemished conscience • even after Walt's death, Walt and Thao are linked together -> in his last will, Walt leaves the Gran Torino to his friend Thao ➜ completes Thao's male identity and offers the chance for further assimilation into American society -> the last scene shows Thao confident & happy & American looking both characters are influenced by each other and change due to their developing relationship → Walt turns from a grumpy old man and racist into a father figure for Thao Thao turn from a teenager into a male adult Comparison of Walt & Thao Similarities both are not really part of their own family they don't really communicate or interact with other family members Differences ● Walt openly shows contempt for his own family ● Thao lacks self-confidence -> he is obedient and submissive towards others Feeling of belonging Both feel like they don't really belong to their families Walt's feeling of estrangement and loneliness is even stronger -> he acts aggressively Language ● Walt's Racism ● stereotypes about certain ethnic groups ("jungle people") speaks in a harsh and demanding tone, growls at people racist jokes racial slurs ("swamp rats", zipper head", "gook") vulgar remarks ("Get the shit out of your mouth") ● Behaviour/Avtions ● very rude behaviour (e.g. he does not lend a jumper cable to Thao; spits out towards the Hmong grandmother) rejects Hmong presents makes fun of Thao (makes him count the birds in the tree; calls him "Toad") BUT: protects Thao from the gang saves Sue in the black neighbourhood finds a job for Thao ● sacrifices himself for Sue and Thao DEVELOPMENT OF WALT'S RACISM he keeps his racist language until the end; but his behaviour shows that his attitude changed towards more openness, empathy and tolerance in the beginning, he sees all Asians as "gooks" and "barbarians" -> through his relationship to Sue and Thao he learns to see people as individuals he learns that other people's strange behaviour is often an expression of their cultural traditions and conventions MESSAGE OF THE MOVIE Walt is able to overcome his racial prejudices -> the movie has a "strong anti-racist message" if an emotionally hardened racist like Walt can change his attitude, then there is hope that other people in American society can do the same ➜ acceptance of ongoing changes in society and acknowledge the diversity of the country WALT AND GUNS THE GANGS AND GUNS the Hmong gang use their guns in order to show power, to enforce dominance or to commit crimes in their drive-by shooting, the members of the Hmong gang use their guns as a final warning Violence the Second Amendment guarantees every citizen the right to bear arms -> having a gun became a tradition deeply rooted in the American self-image Walt Kowalski owns at least two guns, but he seems to carry the pistol when he goes out -> he does not hesitate to use his pistol to save Sue from the African American gang Walt uses his weapons in self-defence -> this is also his primary motivation when he interferes in the gang's conflict with Thao's family ➜ provoked by Walt, the Hmong gang shoots him in the end of the movie cycle of violence can only be broken by Walt's not using violence: in the showdown with the gang, he draws a lighter instead of a gun and he uses words to confront them Masculinity Symbols ● Throughout the movie, he never actually pulls a trigger -> he just uses guns as a threat only in order to scare away his enemies or keep them at distance ● Gran Torino (vintage car/ muscle car), white pick-up truck ● hand-operated lawn-mower guns (rifle/ pistol); zippo/lighter; Silver Star medal garage with tool collection American flag; well-kept house and yard; dog ● rough talk (sexist, racist); car ownership; protective instinct; excessive consumption of alcohol; willingness to use violence/ aggression/brutality "Manning up" Thao: (the barber shop, the construction site, the hardware store) → boosts Thao's self-confidence and gives him orientation/ a feeling of belonging/ an idea what to do with his life protective instinct: Walt takes over responsibility and protects Sue and Thao from the gangs threat of sexual aggression towards Sue (the black youths); Sue's rape (sexual aggression as a means to exert power) Walt's American Dream Walt's pride in his ● cars he cherishes his Gran Torino = an icon of middle-class mobility Walt keeps his house neat and his lawn clipped -> picture- book image of American suburbia conservative values: patriotism; displaying the flag; pride in traditional symbols of the American way of life ➜exclusive version of the dream that shuts others out he ascribes his moderate financial success to his hard work and dedication -> he is proud of his work for the Ford Motor Company (former blue-collar job) American Dream Thao's American dream in the beginning lacks self-confidence and doesn't believe in his future he has little confidence in his ability to make success of himself his plans are vague: he can't afford college; no job prospects ● ● ● Thao thrives under Walt's wings -> he seizes the chance he is given to get a job to support himself and possibly his family Walt becomes Thao's mentor and teaches Thao American values takes over parts of Walt's American Dream by embracing his notions of manhood and driving the Gran Torino as a symbol of Americanness ● ● ➜in the end: his American Dream is fulfilled ➜he gets a car, a job and a girlfriend Sue's American Dream she speaks up for her brother against gang members and bravely defends herself when she is harassed by black youths role as a female protector; modern interpretation of American self- confidence and boldness easy mediator between the cultures she has clearly adapted to the American way of life; she blends her Hmong heritage with an American lifestyle REFERENCES TO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH Dorothy's funeral ● Father Janovich ● Religion ● ► he is trying to look after Walt (asks him to go to confession) he wants to make sure that no one is lost or goes astray Talking about "Life and Death" Walt's Confession at a church he confesses to Father Janovich (but just on a superficial level!) ➤ Walt later makes a personal confession to Thao in the basement Walt's sacrifice (salvation; he is redeemed from his sins) Walt's funeral IS WALT A BELIEVER OR DISBELIEVER? Believer Walt was baptized as a Catholic and married to a deeply religious wife he believes that he has sinned and wants to confess his sins to the priest before he dies -> if he believes that it is important that his sins are redeemed, he probably also believ in god he is willing to die in order to save Thao and Sue (Christlike sacrifice, arms spread like a cross) he wants to give his life a meaning; compensation for the things he did ● ● Disbeliever in the beginning, Walt comes across as an atheist -> admits that he only went to church for his wife's sake and he refuses to go to confession ● He makes fun of Father Janovich and his naive outlook on life and death > distance between the priest and Walt; he wants him to call him "Mister Kowalski" ● in his confession, Walt does not touch the real core of his guilt: killing an innocent teenager in the Korean War he would have died soon, but he lets himself killed consciously: suicide? -> conflict between committing suicide and the Christian religion to sacrifice oneself is not necessarily religious behaviour (could be simply human, altruistic) GUILT ➜he is particularly haunted by killing an innocent Korean teenager who only wanted to surrender; Walt was not ordered to do so Guilt & Redemption for five decades, Walt lived with his bad conscience about war crimes he witnessed and participated in -> he feels guilty for killing about 13 people in the Korean War more than 50 years later, he is responsible for the escalation of violence in his neighbourhood/ the spiral of violence between the Lor family and the Hmong gang • realizing that it was his fault, Walt is completely shattered after the drive-by shooting and Sue's rape Past mistakes that burden Walt he has never had a close relationship with his sons ● ● he killed an innocent Korean teenager he intensifies the gang conflict which results in the drive-by shooting and Sue's brutal rape How Walt redeems himself ● he is like a father for Thao who has no role model and lacks orientation -> he helps him to find a direction in his life ● he saves the life of Thao, a boy of the same age as the Korean teenager by sacrificing himself, he stops the gang from destroying Thao's and Sue's life any further REDEMPTION even after 50 years, Walt has not been able to atone for his guilt from the past he decides to atone for his guilt by sacrificing himself ➜his self-sacrifice is well planned ➜he confronts the Hmong gang unarmed so that they will not have a chance to escape jail the fact that he is about to die from lung cancer plays a minor role -> even without this diagnosis, he probably would have taken this step to atone for his lifelong guilt he pulls out his lighter (symbol of his guilt) to make the Hmong gang think that he is going to produce a gun crane shot from above shows that in his death Walt has spread out his arms thus forming a cross (symbol of Christ's salvation) association with Jesus Christ; Walt seeks his own personal redemption The Gran Torino ● Symbols & Motifs the "muscle car" corresponds to Walt's personality -> it emphasizes his masculinity; symbolizes strength symbol for Walt being an "outdated model" in a fast-changing world represents conservative American values -> stands for America's glorious industrial past the Gran Torino bridges the gap between Walt and Thao -> symbol of their friendship Lighter ● symbol of Walt's experiences in the Korean War ➜constant reminder of his guilt Walt has the Zippo lighter in his hand when he sacrifices himself -> he was shot innocently because he came unarmed; he died to unload his burden his death will bring light into the darkness and put an end to the gang's terrorizing the neighbourhood ● Life & Death ● the movie is framed by two funerals (in the beginning Dorothy's funeral and in the end Walt's funeral) -> life and death are often very close → Dorothy Kowalski's funeral and the Hmong birthday ceremony; Walt's sacrifice allows Thao and Sue to live in peace