Masculinity Representation in Films Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Masculinity Representation in Films - Essay Example 54). However, at times, when these action heroes start going back to the action roles that brought them into the limelight, in some instances, several years down the line, scholars extend their ignorance and overlook the fundamental divinity of age as they discuss the hard bodies of these hegemonic heroes (Bould 2005, p. 39). As such, this paper intends to analyse the representation of masculinity in one of the Die Hard films, namely Die Hard 2. The analysis will be drawn by references to the works of Mulvey (1974), Neale (1983) and Tasker (2004). Masculinity as a spectacle merely depicts an idea of opinion which a filmmaker tends to deliver to the audiences. This depiction merely involves physical prowess, sexual virility and aggression (Rzepka and Horsley 2010, p. 61). These are potentially bewildering images of action heroes. With that in mind, it is interesting to note that this hegemonic ideal is not only hard to create but also implausible to maintain for the contemporary male. Therefore, the figure that depicts powerful masculinity may only exist or be embodied in legendary heroes, mythical figures and a minute number of males within a society (West and Lay 2003, p. 27). Die Hard 2 is a story revolving around a police officer who lives in New York. The movie begins when on the eve of Christmas he visits his ‘distanced’ wife, who lives in Los Angeles. Upon his arrival, he finds her and the rest of her work colleagues having a Christmas party at the building in which they work (Gates 2006 p. 35). Coincidentally, some criminals posing as political terrorists invade the building, demanding the release of war criminals who are jailed in an American penitentiary facility. John McLane works as a New York law enforcement officer. He stays far away from his wife and has some unresolved issues; it is partly due to them that he is not on good terms with his wife (Rzepka and Horsley 2010, p. 89). He is a masculine character with virile physical prowess and social dominance. Another important aspect is the high level of aggression noted among these heroes. Prior studies undertaken concerning the subject matter of Hollywood’s presentation of male genres have characterised Die Hard 2 as a male-driven action movie. The audiences of this movie will not find it difficult to spot the genre of the movie, i.e. male-driven. This is visible and prominent in the case of presentation of the lead hero as a macho man (Milestone and Meyer 2012, p. 50). This is because of his spectacular ability to wrestle his enemies, which is a trait of a hero from a movie of the male-driven genre. Indeed, extant studies and research from a feminist perspective clearly state that the physical masculinity of an action hero gives a preferential tone for the action narrative (Carroll 2003, p. 79). An analysis of Die Hard 2 highlights that movie directors focus on physicality in such action heroes as John McLane, and the way they display their bodies forms a vital ingredient of the visual effects (Gates 2006, p. 58). Several suggestions are that American action films strive, frequently at the expense of developing the narrative, to contrive situations or instances for displaying the body of an action hero. Ideally, extant literature that examines both the hegemonic male and the action hero

The Holocaust Museam Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Holocaust Museam Report - Essay Example The Museum, through static displays, brings history alive by explaining how the Nazi Party inflicted mayhem and cruelty out of sheer feelings of hatred and abhorrence for the Jews. The museum also takes great care to explain that women, elderly, and over one million children were killed in cold blood, in order to take revenge for the alleged support rendered by some European Jews to the enemies of Germany during WWI. It is believed that nearly six million Jews were massacred by different means during these twelve years, and that other cruelties were inflicted upon other racial communities. Between 1941 and 1945, five to six million Jews were systematically murdered by the Nazi regime, its allies, and its surrogates in Nazi-occupied territories. Yet, despite the extraordinary scale and intensity of this genocide, its prominence in recent decades was far from preordained. Hatred can be overcome only if an honest, non-political approach is used towards those who may be affected or who m ay instigate the violence. Hatred, undeclared violence towards others left unchecked, can lead others to disregard their understanding of their own humanity. To dislike somebody or something is understandable; however, to do so in such an intense manner to somebody or something that evokes feelings of anger, hostility, or animosity, is wrong. To know hatred, there first must be an understanding of what forms of hate can influence our actions and theits effects on history. Once hatred is identified, hopefully through education, solutions can be implemented in ways to intervene and negate such actions. The Jewish Holocaust, a depressing subject, helps to shed light on the darkness of humanity in the modern age. Although other holocausts have occurred throughout history, it is often the victor of such tragedies who writes history. Thus, such tragedies are often relegated through time, and their long-term impact can be eroded. The museum helps to educate and serve as a venue of historie s past. Most individuals have never seen a dead body in person in a non-clinical setting. Imagine witnessing such an atrocity as someone being murdered. Try to comprehend this tragedy and multiply it by six million. This idea, with the use of pictures and the personal accounts displayed in the museum, illustrates this dark chapter of humanity with the use of personal details and artifacts of the Jewish-American immigrants who survived. The efforts by the museum can only help to teach, in a non-partisan way, what has happened and could continue to happen if efforts to stop such tragedies are not undertaken. As the WWII generation can no longer tell their story due to old-age, the Holocaust Museum will speak on their behalf for many years after their voices fall silent. The Holocaust Museum demonstrates the overall history of the solution through the logical sequence of Jewish migration. The museum displays explain that it is not easy to order a fighting soldier to take 25 innocent pr isoners and kill them. Social, political, and religious ideological understandings must be in place to activate such atrocities. Throughout history, evil persuasion has influenced others to act inhumanely. Although such instances are rare and difficult, history has proved that genocide has occurred