Public Perception of Person's with Disability
Public Perception of Persons with Disability
A Comparison of Two Movies:
Rain Man (1988) and Of Mice and Men (1981)
Introduction Stereotypes constantly accompany different groups of people. This is true of mentally handicapped people as well. Labels such as “slow”, “stupid”, “ignorant”, and even “dangerous” are some stereotypical values that are disrespectfully bestowed on mentally challenged people. (Lewis, 2006) The public is now able to view mentally handicapped conditions through the media. Ideas gained from viewing various forms of media coverage of handicapped persons can prove to be both positive and negative. I have chosen to do a comparison of two well-known movies about persons with disabilities. The two movies are set in two different eras, therefore showing how the public’s perception of mentally challenged people has changed, as well as stayed the same thanks to technology.
Summary of Of Mice and Men (Prism, 1981) Of Mice and Men, a drama starring Robert Blake as George Milton and Randy Quaid as Lennie Small, was based on the novel written by John Steinbeck. It was produced in 1981 and again in 1992. (Sparknotes, 2007) This film was set during the Great Depression era when times were difficult for everyone, not just mentally and physically challenged. (Sparknotes, 2007) George Milton and his mentally challenged companion, Lennie Small, travel in search of work. They are often run off from their jobs due to Lennie’s unfortunate mistakes. They get work on a farm where it is grain harvest time. Lennie, being an extremely strong person, doesn’t realize his own strength, often petting or squeezing small animals to death. The two friends have big dreams of owning land. Eventually two other hands join them in their quests to be on their own. As they dream and prepare, a piece of land is located. Their dream seemed so close until Lennie makes the biggest mistake of his life, killing a woman. He runs to the designated meeting place
A Comparison of Two Movies:
Rain Man (1988) and Of Mice and Men (1981)
Introduction Stereotypes constantly accompany different groups of people. This is true of mentally handicapped people as well. Labels such as “slow”, “stupid”, “ignorant”, and even “dangerous” are some stereotypical values that are disrespectfully bestowed on mentally challenged people. (Lewis, 2006) The public is now able to view mentally handicapped conditions through the media. Ideas gained from viewing various forms of media coverage of handicapped persons can prove to be both positive and negative. I have chosen to do a comparison of two well-known movies about persons with disabilities. The two movies are set in two different eras, therefore showing how the public’s perception of mentally challenged people has changed, as well as stayed the same thanks to technology.
Summary of Of Mice and Men (Prism, 1981) Of Mice and Men, a drama starring Robert Blake as George Milton and Randy Quaid as Lennie Small, was based on the novel written by John Steinbeck. It was produced in 1981 and again in 1992. (Sparknotes, 2007) This film was set during the Great Depression era when times were difficult for everyone, not just mentally and physically challenged. (Sparknotes, 2007) George Milton and his mentally challenged companion, Lennie Small, travel in search of work. They are often run off from their jobs due to Lennie’s unfortunate mistakes. They get work on a farm where it is grain harvest time. Lennie, being an extremely strong person, doesn’t realize his own strength, often petting or squeezing small animals to death. The two friends have big dreams of owning land. Eventually two other hands join them in their quests to be on their own. As they dream and prepare, a piece of land is located. Their dream seemed so close until Lennie makes the biggest mistake of his life, killing a woman. He runs to the designated meeting place
Bibliography: Levinson, B. (Director). (1988). Rain Man [Motion Picture]. Lewis, J. (2006). Stigmatism of the Mentally Ill. Manchester: Saint Anselm College, Dept. of Psychology. Peek, F. (1996). The Real Rain Man. Salt Lake City: Harkness Publishing Consultants LLC. Prism (Director). (1981). Of Mice and Men [Motion Picture]. Soraya, L. (2010, March 14). Psychology Today. Retrieved December 12, 2010, from Telling the Story: Autism in the Media: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/aspergers-diary/201003/telling-the-story-autism-in-the-media Sparknotes. (2007). Spark Note on Of Mice and Men. Retrieved December 1, 2010, from Sparknotes.com: http:??sparknotes.com/lit/micemencanalysis.html Wallace, G. (2001). A Movie Called of Mice and Men. Wikipedia. (2010, December 7). Rain Man. Retrieved December 7, 2010, from Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. : http://www.wikipedia.org