Thesis Statement Mario Camerini’s Il Signor Max is a film in which Gianni, the protagonist, learns his place in the world. Gianni discovers that his middle-class world is authentic, meaningful, and worthy of having pride in, despite the fact that his life is not as glamourous as those of the frivolous upper class. Make: a film on self-discovery, on class differences Mode: how: dialogue of the upper class, Gianni being both an insider and outsider, Lauretta’s disenchantment with the upper class, the OND as a place of “real” Italians. Why: to emphasize the difference between the middle and upper class in Italy Message: that the middle class are “real” Italians unlike the upper class, which is something they should be proud of. Context During …show more content…
After a case of mistaken identity, we watch the protagonist actively pursue the world of the upper classes. In the end, he realizes that he does not want to be a part of their world and returns home. Firstly, Camerini uses a protagonist that most people can relate to (in both social position and aspirations). However, the fact that he achieved his dreams of being accepted into the upper class and in the end walked away from it all more appreciative of his middle-class life, I think is Camerini’s way of trying to tell the audience that the wealth of the upper class does not make their lives more meaningful. I think he is trying to say that the people of the middle class are more authentic. If being part of the upper-classes was so wonderful, then Gianni would have stayed there …show more content…
One could discuss Gianni’s uncle who is fully aware of his (and Gianni’s) position in society or the case of Lauretta who is trapped in the world of the upper class or Paola’s spoiled sister. However, I think that the characterization of the upper class in general is especially telling of Camerini’s perspective of them. In many ways, Camerini emphasizes the otherness and non-Italian nature of the upper class. For example, from time to time they speak English rather than Italian and reference people and things outside of Italian culture such as Clark Gable (who one of the aristocrats looks alarmingly similar to). In this way, Camerini shows how the upper class are not authentically Italian. In addition, the dialogue of the upper class is used to accentuate how Gianni does not belong. In particular, I think about one shot of the upper class on the train, who are talking and throwing around all these names of important people, while Gianni sits completely silent, isolated though surrounded by all these “nice” people. The fact that that conversation does not have subtitles to accompany them adds to the idea that the aristocrats are talking about nothing of substance and further shows the separation between the upper class and that of the lower classes (represented by Gianni’s
Class politics are introduced to the story when the Phonies arrive in Stella Street. The Phonies are disliked as soon as they arrive in Stella Street because of the renovations they make on Old Aunt Lillie’s house and the children of Stella Street make fun of the fact that the Phonies refurnish the house (p.13). Henni encourages the reader to make fun of the high class Phonies about the way they speak, because the Phonies use words such as ‘dinnah’ and ‘daaaarling’ (p.18). This shows the Phonies in a negative way enticing the audience to take Henni’s side or a middle class approach to the story. When the Phonies send a note from their lawyer to Frank’s family for a proposal of a new fence (p.22) they are once again looked at poorly.
A person’s social class influences the environment that they are raised in. When a person grows up in a certain environment they begin to become accustomed to it, thus when they enter into another class they experience quite a shock. “And newspaper set on the table whenever my grandpa sliced watermelons, and how embarrassed she would be when her boyfriend, my father, would come over and there were newspapers all over the kitchen floor and table (Cisneros 153).” Clemencia’s father came from a very well-off family in Mexico, a family where they used cloth napkins as well as had proper place settings; however; Clemencia’s mother came from a family that had cracked plates, no tablecloth, and allowed people to grab silverware as it was needed from the middle of the table. Since Clemencia’s father came from a well-off family, he and Clemencia’s mother were given a lot of guff from his family as he married down by marrying her. Marrying a poor, white w...
In the traditional political history of Italy the people outside of the ruling class of the society were rarely studied. Only with the use of social history did the issues of class and gender begin to be debated by scholars. Numerous recent articles have done a great job of analysing particularly men of high status. In this paper I will look at the lower classes of Renaissance Florence. More specifically, I will center my focus on the lives of women during this era, how they were treated and viewed by people of other classes and how women were viewed and treated by men.
His execution of imagery, diction, and dialogue throughout the text were very prominent regarding these three factors. The authors use of pathos, sickly diction, and humanistic dialogue were very important agents to bring this piece altogether and alive. Especially with the subject of poverty and how it effects not only Flavio’s family, but as the text says “Pockets of poverty in New York's Harlem, on Chicago's south side, in Puerto Rico's infamous El Fungito seemed pale by comparison. None of them had prepared me for this one in the favela o[ Catacumba.” Poverty effects a lot of people, and awareness needs to be brought up through messages like
Cyrano De Bergerac is an inspiring play based on a tragic love. The characters are revealed within unique backgrounds, creating life and depth between our imaginations. There are a variety of important characters throughout the play besides Cyrano De Bergerac. The play consists of more important characters than Christian De Neuvillette, although he is the most admirable. Three admirable qualities that Christian possessed are courtesy, modesty and bravery.
has an idea in his intellect that there is a way to be Italian looking
Have you ever met someone so clever, determined, and cruel to leave a man to die over an insult? Montresor is the perfect example of these character traits. In “The Cask of Amontillado”, by Edgar Allan Poe, Montresor uses all of these character traits to get revenge on Fortunado for insulting his family name. Montresor’s clever planning, determination for revenge, and cruel murder are the perfect combination for his unequaled revenge.
An old man is sitting on an leather armchair, dressed in black and very expensive suit, smoking a cigarette and sipping his old whiskey from his goblet glass.He is short, squat, massive-skulled man. He was indeed a man to frighten the devil in hell himself. His presence sent out alarm bells of danger. His face was stamped into a mask of fury, the eyes were brown but with none of the warmth of that color. His mouth was not so much cruel as lifeless; thin and with the color of veal. He did not fear the police, he did not fear society, he did not fear the God or hell, he did not fear or love his fellow man. This old man was sitting all day on his armchair and offering his friendship to everyone who needed it because he is the only one who can help, he is the boss, he is the Godfather.1
Last but not least, the Italian-American’s contributed greatly to America’s past and left quite an imprint on our ‘melting pot’ culture. The Italian-Americans came to America following a dream; whether it be temporarily ‘escaping’ South Italy or a lifelong aspirations toward music. There perseverance and bravery left an impact stronger than words can express which assisted our future successes. Slowly yet steadily, Italians rose up the social ladder, opening up like a blossoming flower to their fellow Americans. Establishing their roots, then blossoming into a beautiful flower, revealing all beyond everyone’s expectations. Today, Italians have surpassed all the other ethnic groups in average job income and job prestigious, a true example of hard work paying off. As for, “Chi la dura la vince,”-He who perseveres wins at last...
I would like to learn about how lower middle class became a class and why it seems to be a growing socioeconomic in today’s society. I would also like to learn how exactly socioeconomic class is defined. I would like to learn more about Italian culture because I am Italian and, while I am not 100% Italian, it is the ethnicity I identify with because it has played a large role in how I have grown up. My family is very large and many of our mannerisms, our approach to food and meal times, and how we deal with conflict are rooted in our Italian heritage, even though we do not always recognize
Yet he was not everyone’s dream man, especially Angela Vicario’s. After seeing her for the first time, he had his landlady remind him he was “‘going to marry her’” (Márquez, 29). He had been “‘going from town to town looking for someone to marry’” (Márquez, 26), proving “Everybody's looking for something” (Eurythmics, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)”). Bayardo was looking for a wife, and he found her in Angela. Contrastingly, she did not want to marry him and he did not try to court her at all, instead “he bewitched the family with his charm” (Márquez, 34). After all, Bayardo was the son of a civil war hero, “Who am [she] to disagree?” (Eurythmics, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)”). The Vicario’s were not wealthy and everyone knew “Bayardo San Román was going to marry whomever he chose” (Márquez, 34). Angela’s lack of choice is clearly shown, which changed Bayardo’s once charming appearance into one of a man who took what he
Josies aspirations reach much farther than that of her families ambitions for her life. It is at this point in time where a classic example of culture clash begins. Josie feels the need to rebel against the stero-typical female in an Italian culture. This determination stems from her education and desire to step away from her Italian life and responsibilities, breaking away not only from her family and their narrow mindedness but also the entire Italian culture. This is a major leap for Josie who aspires to be the first Alibrandi female to take control of her life. This motivation of freedom is strong in Josie and her rebellious ways demonstrate this.
This idea of attitudes shows why a secret society such as the Mafia should luxuriate in Sicily, and could easily be transplanted into the ghettos of the New World. The associates of the Mafia are called fratellos. They are to obey a capo, which they elect. The capo then picks the consigliari (counselors), whom help him to make justice and judgments. When one of the fratellos finds himself in any sort of difficulty, the association tries to help and assist him.
In a society, social classes are always present – whether it was five hundred years ago or in present time. Social classes have always existed and will probably always exist. The question is whether social classes have an impact on the society of a little Italian town called Verona in the fifteenth century. Because one thing is for sure, compared to today norms, social classes and gender rolls in the story about Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet differs a lot.
The Machiavelli family was part of the average middle class. They were not descended from one of Florence’s most important families (Gilbert 9). Although they were not a rich family, the Machiavellis were a respected Florentine family (Wagner 16). Many of his ancestors played an important role in Florence’s politics and hel...