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+ Walt's house is donated to the church Abitur 2022 Traditional values and changing culture: - Walt embodies old-fashioned American values - Josy Friedrichs - He values hard work, independence, self-reliance, and self-defense His response to violence is violence -> emblem of masculinity Walt thinks that traditional American values are threatened by immigration and foreign influence on the culture and economy He regards the influx of immigrants in the area with great suspicion and resentment Walt treats the Lors with extreme hostility He is upset that his neighborhood has become increasingly rundown -> clashes with his values Sense of duty -> keep his property well-maintained Walt gradually opens up and learns about Hmong culture and customs Gender-related conflicts: Walt conforms to masculine stereotypes His notion of how man should behave and talk defines him + it influences Thao - - His Gran Torino functions as a symbol -> represents American's success, wealth, and history Walt is an outdated model + defined by conservatism, patriotism, and racism Thao's mother and grandmother believe in similarly clear-cut gender roles -> men need to be the head of the household, strong, protective Thao's masculinity is repeatedly questioned by his family, the gang members and by Walt Sue has many qualities that her family and Walt consider male -> confidence and assertiveness Both children redefine gender roles Family and belonging: Walt is estranged from his two grown sons and their families -> disappointed in his sons and his grandchildren's behavior and attitude -> he feels misunderstood and disrespected Walt is unwilling and unable to try and improve their relationship Walt cannot properly express his feeling Walt + Thao both lack a sense of belonging and the ability to communicate their emotions -> they both struggle to fit in Thao and Walt build a father-son relationship -> they open up to each other and both find purpose and a sense of belonging Thao's mother only speaks her native language -> prejudice against Americans and American culture and do not seek integration -> they feel they belong with their own ethnic group Englisch GK Abitur 2022 Josy Friedrichs Sue has adopted the western lifestyle and seem well-integrated into American society -> for her it is easy to move back and forth between the two cultures -> experiencing a sense of belonging to both Walt learns that the Lor family's values are much closer to his own than his sons' -> they value traditions, show respect to older members of the family, have similar conservative notions of gender, and appreciate coming together Racist slurs: - Racist slurs are a part of Walt's everyday language His involvement in the Korean war may be an explanation -> should not be used as an excuse -> his racism remains problematic Walt gradually opens up and tries to get to know a different culture and becomes a better person because he learns that his assumptions are wrong -> he overcomes stereotypes and prejudices The role of gang culture and violence: The film takes place in Detroit where the youth violence is rife -> causes are economic and social issues Teenagers lack prospects and opportunities, education levels are low, and unemployment rates are high Young people search for a sense of belonging and easily fall prey to gangs that offer surrogate structures In the movie three rivalling neighborhood gangs control the neighborhood, intimidate rivals, and instill fear into the residents Walt's repeated intervention when the Lor children are threatened leads to retaliation -> his response to violence is violence -> he has never learned to de-escalate conflicts -> eventually he understands that his actions never solve any problems but in fact make them worse To break the cycle of violence he provokes the gang members into shooting him -> they face arrest and the Lor family can live without their threat Gran Torino in perfect condition well-maintained property past: majority = white conservative people now: neighbourhood population mostly immigrants culture/cultural conflicts values racism Walt's racist slurs, hostility towards neighbours (spitting) run-down property Walt=isolated, aliented from his son Walt has conservative values → preservation of the past development away from- Lors: conservative values → preservation of their customs/traditions alisation Walt realises he has more in common with Hmong culture than with his own family Phong insults Walt in her native language, hostility Lor family= family-oriented -development-opening up tradition gender roles Thao is pressured into joining the gang -> initiation ritual, attempted theft of Gran Torino Walt masculine gender stereotypes: Gran Torino = symbol of masculinity Phong and Vu do not speak English, remain in their Hmong community the role of gang culture and violence -Thao ->not considered "man enough" -role model for- belonging Thao and Sue are fluent in English Sue adopts a western lifestyle moves back and forth between two cultures Thao struggles to find his place in the family gun culture: Walt owns and uses guns to protect his property and to solve conflicts. Gangs use gungs for their criminal actions and to threaten the neighbourhood cycle of violence: Walt beats up gang members, gang retaliates breaking the cycle: Walt's sacrifice -> temporary end of violence miro Englisch GK Abitur 2022 Josy Friedrichs Englisch GK Relationships: close relationship Dorothy loving- Mitch and Steve grandchildren Characters: married relationship because of Dorothy Abitur 2022 takes care of Thao, feels responsible, father-son relationship, gives him the car after his death, Walt provided him Money (grateful), builded a connection, learn from each other Walt -does'nt like eachother in the begining-Thao Father Janovich Doesn't like him in the beginning. Walt opens up later, Janovich wants to help him ->promised it to Dorothy - they kill Walt, hate eachother Walt Kowalski: Beginning -> racist, reserved, lonely, distant, stereotypically masculine War veteran, patriotism Tendency to solve violence with violence Begins to overcome his racism -> as he gets to know Sue & Thao Saves Sue & Thao Doesn't get along with his own family Bad conscience about never bonding with his family Thao Lor: Shy, quiet, polite, easy to push around 16 years old, grew up in a female dominated household Born in the USA -> but Asian roots + traditional family Does "women's work" -> dishes End: sacrifices himself to save the Lor family from the Hmong gang Seems cold -> but has a strong sense of protection Harassed by the Hmong gang -> refuses to join the gang Father-son relationship with Walt in the end -cousins, don't like each other Wants to take revenge for Sue -> protective Sue Lor: Strong minded, independent, confident 17 years old, white boyfriend Not scared of confrontation Smokie Representative of first-generation immigrants Does not speak English -> speaks Hmong Lives strictly according to her traditions -> e.g., clothes mother Phong Josy Friedrichs doesn't has faith in him Vu -mother. Hmong gang part of it Sue told him to steal the car, -want him to join the gang, hurt him Spider Adapted to western world + Hmong traditions Bridges the gap between Walt and the family -> she isn't scared to talk to him + consistent Raped by the gang -> Walt is deeply hurt by this Grandmother Phong: mi Englisch GK Father Janovich: Was the pastor of Walts wife -> promised her to take care of Walt Beginning -> Walt rejects him Very persistent -> gets Walt o have a conversation Over time: relationship develops -> begin to get along Kowalski Family: Disrespectful, ignorant Don't get along with Walt Only talk to Walt when they want something Want walt to go to a retirement home Hmong gang: - - Abitur 2022 - - Smokie -> Thao's and Sue's cousin Spider -> leader of the gang Aggressive, unemployed, criminal Want to establish dominance, protect their territory Spiral of violence Shoot Walt in the end -> get arrested Josy Friedrichs