Metaphor Of The American Dream In 'On The Waterfront'
On the waterfront: the American Dream
In Elia Kazan’s On the Waterfront the metaphor of the American dream is portrayed through some images that reconstruct the mirror of the American working-class society of the 50’s. The mise en- scène used in the film together with the characters’ performance are the key elements that eventually contribute to the connection between the reflection of the desired American Dream and the realistic tone offered in the film.
As regards the stylistic techniques used by the director, the photographic image and the sound are the most important elements to be considered: the use of black and white photography together with the lack of music offers a very realistic portrayal of the work conditions under which …show more content…
Each character’s attitude gives a varied perspective of the metaphor of the American Dream.
Terry Malloy is presented to the spectator as a hero, although his attitude towards the idea of the American Dream differs very much from the prototype American worker who looks forward succeeding in both, his personal and mainly in is professional life. His ideas are represented by a sense of survival and fight for having just enough money to survive. Thus, Terry Malloy may be the representation of a victim of the American Dream, since he has not succeeded in being an important man in society.
Opposed to Terry Malloy, Johnny Friendly seems to be the personification of the American Dream, since he is presented to us as a man with huge social and economic power. Moreover, another aspect which reinforces the idea of the desired American in Johnny Friendly is seen when his former life is presented to the spectator: as he says to his employees “he had to beg for a job in hole” when he was younger, thus, he may be the representation of a man who has achieved his dreams by making hard
In Elia Kazan’s On the Waterfront the metaphor of the American dream is portrayed through some images that reconstruct the mirror of the American working-class society of the 50’s. The mise en- scène used in the film together with the characters’ performance are the key elements that eventually contribute to the connection between the reflection of the desired American Dream and the realistic tone offered in the film.
As regards the stylistic techniques used by the director, the photographic image and the sound are the most important elements to be considered: the use of black and white photography together with the lack of music offers a very realistic portrayal of the work conditions under which …show more content…
Each character’s attitude gives a varied perspective of the metaphor of the American Dream.
Terry Malloy is presented to the spectator as a hero, although his attitude towards the idea of the American Dream differs very much from the prototype American worker who looks forward succeeding in both, his personal and mainly in is professional life. His ideas are represented by a sense of survival and fight for having just enough money to survive. Thus, Terry Malloy may be the representation of a victim of the American Dream, since he has not succeeded in being an important man in society.
Opposed to Terry Malloy, Johnny Friendly seems to be the personification of the American Dream, since he is presented to us as a man with huge social and economic power. Moreover, another aspect which reinforces the idea of the desired American in Johnny Friendly is seen when his former life is presented to the spectator: as he says to his employees “he had to beg for a job in hole” when he was younger, thus, he may be the representation of a man who has achieved his dreams by making hard