American History X Essay -- essays research papers

Theory Assignment on American History XThis movie tells the story of a schoolgirlish man, from Southern California, that is the product of several unfortunate incidents, and his misguided search trying to answer the question why his life is the way it is. I. Daniel appeared to be dealing with the teenaged stage. Daniel seems to have developed his sense of self worth by mimicking his older br otherwise. Daniels significant relationships, since his brothers incarceration has been derricks old friends (the shin forefront group). The scene in the teachings office shows that Daniel is trying to live up to what he believes are his older brothers ideals, which he believes are following in the butt steps of Nazis. Hate anyone that is not white and protestant. His own self image is one of an up and coming skin head so he believes his identity element is that of a racially intolerant neo-Nazi. Daniels search for that identity terminates when Derrick tells him about the experience of hi s prison time. This scene played out after Derrick confronted Conner at the skin head party and had to flee from his former admirers because he beat up their leader. Daniel followed Derrick and questioned him as to why he was behaving like a Nigger lover. Daniels since of loyalty was shaken, and the commentary Derrick gave appeared to have turned Daniels beliefs around.Stacey is derricks girl friend at the beginning of the film. Staceys conscious and sexual identity seems to have been developed somewhat crooked to the norms of middle class America, but she shows her comfort in her self during the dinner scene where the school teacher is discussing oppression of minorities with Derrick. Stacy voices an opinion that states blacks and Hispanics are a swearing on society. She is a yes man to all of Derricks opinions, and during the same scene she shows her sexuality when she sensuously caresses Derrick after the altercation with Derricks family and his mothers date. This scene showed that Staceys role models were other racist, and her beliefs were based on the rhetoric that is espoused at hate monger meetings. Staceys young adult stage is shown when she refuses to listen to Derrick during the skin head party scene. She had completely immersed herself in the Derrick persona. The idea of what she perceived Derrick would be like when he returned from prison. Stacey told Derrick, during the party scene t... ...s that Daniel took the same psychological ride as Derrick. The other characters remained at on a level psychological playing field. The skin heads may have become more radical, but that appeared to be because of the strength in numbers. The social view of aging in the film seemed to encompass the hatred of the time between two factions in a community in flux.The the origination of community leaders trying to heal the community, the police captain and principal bob trying to enlist Derrick to help quell the possible uprising in the final scenes, also showed some social aging. 17. The roles of men in the film were depicted at the beginning by Derrick and his father as dominant figures in their household. Principal Bob was another strong male figure. The main female characters differed only in that Stacy seemed to bedcome independent of Derrick at the end of the film. Derricks mother and sister seemed to be typical obedient females. Derricks mom Derricks mom was just a housewife, and when her husband died Derrick filled the head of household role. Derricks oldest sister remained a liberal democrat end-to-end the movie, but showed no real interest in taking charge of her life.