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GATTACA
Set in the “not-too-distant future,” GATTACA, directed by Andrew Niccol, shows us a society where DNA determines your status. The film explores the significant idea of discrimination which is shown through Vincent’s character. The director’s use of techniques helped influence my understanding of the consequences of discrimination within society. Society discriminates against “in-valids” because they believe invalids aren’t as good as valids.
The director’s use of symbolism helps me understand the challenges “in-valids” face within GATTACA’s society. When Vincent is a child, he is influenced by his society that he lives in that he’s not good enough because he’s an invalid. This is shown when Vincent is rejected from being able to attend kindergarten because he’s an invalid. The director uses a close up of the bars
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restricting him from entering which symbolises and foreshadows the barriers he will face throughout his life set by society to remind him that he is an invalid and will never live up to their expectations.
Another scene that shows Vincent struggling with society's barriers is when Anton his valid brother and Vincent raced against each other in swimming. Anton ended up winning, whereas Vincent struggled through seaweed which blocked a clear path for him to swim. The seaweed symbolised yet another barrier society set against Vincent whereas Anton was able to swim with a clear pathway. This shows the segregation within society between invalids and valids and how clear it is that society values valids over invalids. At a young age, Vincent is influenced by society’s values to believe that invalids are not worthy of achieving success in comparison to valids who are destined to succeed due to them being genetically engineered which strips individuals of their flaws. This sets up the discrimination that society forces against any invalid because they reject anyone who carries
flaws. The director uses the technique, symbolism to help understand the society Vincent lives in by showing us how valids are treated compared to the hardships invalids go through. The director wants us to see Vincent struggling to make us aware of the impact discrimination has on individuals within society. This results in empathising with victims of discrimination and realising the effects it has on them which makes us want to put discrimination to an end. The director’s use of dialogue helps us understand the implications of society’s discrimination against anyone who doesn’t fit their standards. Vincent is an invalid who is discriminated against by the society he lives in. The discrimination against Vincent is reinforced by Vincent’s father’s love for Anton which is shown in flashback with Vincent’s narration, “That’s how my brother came into the world, a son my father considered worthy of his name.” His father values the second born son who is a valid over the first born invalid, Vincent. He goes as far as ridiculing Vincent for his career choice as an invalid would never get that job, “The only way you’ll see the inside of a spaceship is if you’re cleaning it.” His father is acknowledging the fact that Vincent will never be someone a father can be proud of because he’s an invalid in society’s eyes. This shows the heavy influence society has on his family as they go as far as rejecting their own son instead of loving him unconditionally. Vincent leaves his old life in order to pursue his dream through a flashback Vincent is interviewed at Gattaca and is rejected, “We now have discrimination down to a science.” Vincent is now starting to realise the reality of the society he lives in. It doesn’t matter how qualified you are for the position of the job, it won’t matter unless you have the right genetics. They’ll reject you before you’re even able to show what you can offer. Society continues to reinforce and remind invalids that they will never be a valued member of society which leads to invalids suppressing their hopes and dreams as they begin to conform to society’s expectation of an invalid.The segregation and discrimination within society will only get worse. Invalids will become puppets to society as their identities will be shaped by society’s standards. Vincent is reborn as a valid when he takes the identity of Jerome Morrow a valid within society. After Vincent is reborn as a valid he begins his journey to success, but he still faces barriers from society. In order to fit society’s idea of a perfect person, a valid. Vincent has to change everything about himself. Vincent has a heart condition which prevents him from fitting into society’s ideal person. This is shown by the bars in front of Vincent when he collapses due to his heart condition. Society is constantly reminding Vincent that he will never meet their expectations. This can also be seen in our society as there is a lot of pressure for people to fit an ideal standard otherwise, they’ll be discriminated against and excluded. Vincent isn’t the only one who is discriminated against by society. Irene is also subjected to society’s discrimination as she also has a heart condition just like Vincent. But Vincent doesn’t let that stop him from achieving his dreams, “They’ve got you looking so hard for any flaw that after a while that’s all you see. For what it’s worth, I’m here to tell you that it is possible.” This shows that by breaking through society's barrier people who are discriminated against can achieve their dreams. Not letting them hold you back you are able to show people that you can be a valued member of society despite our flaws. Vincent races Anton once last time and Vincent faces no barriers and wins. The director uses a point of view shot to show the clouds parting and showing a sky full of stars indicating he’s finally reached his dream. Letting society’s discrimination effect you will stop you from reaching your dreams and becoming successful. GATTACA shows a society that discriminates against invalids. The director uses a combination of techniques to show us the discrimination Vincent faces in society and the consequences it has on victims of discrimination. They never believe they are good enough. In our own society, discrimination is a prominent problem that we face that may even be worse than GATTACA’s society. We need to break through the barriers society sets as a result of discrimination to be able to achieve success because society does not have the right to discriminate. The film gives us insight on knowledge we can apply to help stop discrimination within our own society as we now understand the implications it has on the citizens within society.
The use of recurring symbols in the unsettling text, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1962) and the influential film, V for Vendetta (2005) serves to reinforce an array of different concepts including; ideas are bulletproof and the idea of escaping danger. Symbols are (also) used as constant reminders of two imposing ideas in the two texts. The symbols used to represent the concept that ideas are bulletproof are the two protagonists in each text, V (Hugo Weaving) and McMurphy. In order to constantly remind the audience of a certain idea, James McTeigue uses the letter V in V for Vendetta and Ken Kesey uses the fog which constantly surrounds Bromden in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Finally, aspects of nature are used throughout both texts in order to symbolize the idea of emancipation from over-arching threats.
Society tends to misjudge people base on their appearances instead of their personality. This can be seen in the play Cyrano De Bergerac by Edmond Rostand. In which Roxane represents that vile aspect of society. Roxane is attracted to Christian based on his looks, and under minds Cyrano because of his appearance. Society misjudgment of people cause oppression on an individual and it is from oppression and misjudgment f character that causes self consciousness to be born. Cyrano exhibits this self consciousness by helping Christian. Such oppression or self conscious aids to form magnificent characteristics attributes such as the ones portrayed by Cyrano throughout the novel. After all of its societies misjudgment that causes Cyrano to be the character that he is.
Throughout the film, Stranger than Fiction, director, Marc Forster conveys idealistic concepts through the use of symbolism and imagery. Alluding to René Magritte's Son of Man, the green apple was a prevalent symbol in the film -- often being held or eaten by Harold Crick. It exemplified the idea that the beguiling sight of that which is hidden by what is visible was sought after by Harold. This motif is portrayed when Harold abruptly stopped everything in pursuit of determining how he would die after hearing the narrator express that a small act “ … would result in his imminent death” (Stranger than Fiction), therefore becoming enmeshed in his efforts to see what is hidden by what is visible. In doing so, Harold disregarded the miniscule feats that could potentially change his fate, and only focused on that which he had no control over. Forster
It is apparent that within the GATTACA institution, there is a definite discrimination against the genetic underclass; that naturally born. Director Niccol is mocking the present-day view of prejudice and racism. In the future of GATTACA, this prejudice is referred to as genoism - genetic discrimination. Racism is a less specific form of genoism, and although such discrimination is outlawed, the laws are unenforceable because in this dystopian society, as it is in BNW, one's "genetic quotient" is known from birth. The underclass people of this world are limited but aware of their social status and they are not particularly happy with it. With the BNW, the lower castes seem to be (they are made to believe so) aware but they are conditioned to like their "light,...childishly simple" work. (p.204 BNW)
because the author is saying that you need to repent and ask for forgiveness to
The movie Gattaca and the novel Never Let Me Go, both display a form of dehumanization and the relationship between those who have been dehumanized and those who are brought up in a more ‘ideal’ way. Gattaca and Never Let Me Go, try and show an alternative future based on the advancement of genetics and how they affect our world in a possible future. They do this by genetically cloning individuals for organ harvesting and attempting to create a perfect world by creating “perfect” humans.
If people are told that they are not good enough, they start to believe they are not good enough. Vincent who is an invalid defies the odds and fools the system to reach his goal of going into space. He believes he is not defined by
Egalitarianism can be absurd and detrimental to American society. In the story, heavy weights are put on strong people, and grotesque masks are put on attractive women. Also, many other people who have an above average intelligence often listen to loud noises which render them from completing a thought (5-7). Harrison’s father, George, compares the noises to, “somebody hitting a milk bottle with a ball peen hammer.” Darryl Hattenhauer of Arizona State proposes that “The story satirizes the American definition of freedom as the greatest good to the smallest number.” Unfortunately, the sacrifice of the individual to the good of society doesn’t improve conditions for the above average, average, or below (Alvarez). Joseph Alvarez suggests that, “the result [of the] power vacuum [is] a ruthless central government created by legislative controls people’s lives, which have become as meaningless as if they were machines.” In addition, the American dream that is described as moving up social and economic class through hard work and education; turn into a nightmare (Hattenhauer). For example, Kurt Vonnegut infers that the ballerina who reads ann...
...t only symbolizes difference in terms of societal norms of appearance, but it emphasizes the cruelty of man. People will always isolate in order to appreciate. We as humans judge before evaluation is complete, instead of appreciating in order to evaluate. It seems to be a sad yet convincing truth, since it takes a blind man to actually see the person that The Creature truly is. People see him and then become blind to what he really is.
Oftentimes, in the public, people have to be “normal” to be successful and accepted. Author William Saroyan believes that society steers people to be conform and fit in, but he disagrees. In the short story “Gaston,” Saroyan shows that carving a unique path can turn out to be erroneous. Through symbolism and contrast, Saroyan conveys the theme that society does not always accept people’s differences.
In a society where the talented are so handicapped that they cannot even function, the theme reflects the impracticality and dangers of egalitarianism. Harrison Bergeron symbolizes defiance and survival next tot eh TV symbolizing brainwash. The third person narrator creates an effective and fair method of detailing all the events in this futuristic society. Harrison Bergeron’s conflict creates an understanding of the result of total equality. Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. emphasizes the need for competition and individuality in society, in order to live with freedom and prosperity.
Through O’Connor’s religious background, the audience must closely analyze the true message of her story through her symbolism. Her shocking and grotesque ending of the short story challenges individuals by questioning what is good and what is evil. O’Connor’s symbolism found in her setting and main characters truly embody her view of modern society. She uses these elements as a representation for the realistic paths individuals struggle to choose between: the path involved in sin concerning money, good looks, and pride or the path towards God concerning morals, values, and respect for humanity.
...s important both symbolically and literally within the novel. Since manhood and masculine features are so heavily valued within this society, the challenge of one’s personality or actions can completely change them and push them to drastic measures.
In this new technological society, eugenics, which is the concept of bettering one’s genes, has created a social prejudice against humans who come from a natural birth. Vincent is part of this lower class while his brother is genetically produced and favored by his own family. It is shown in every aspect of society, including the choosing of candidates for jobs. If you were natural birth, you had the menial jobs such as janitor but if you were a test tube baby, you could have a desk job with higher pay. Vincent, who tries to exert his free will, decides to pass this system by taking on a new identity of Jerome who is deemed as the perfect man. His hard work and determination leads him out of his confinement of social and physical expectations. For example, coming from a natural birth, it is already determined that he is weak and have significant heart problems. His brother on the other hand, has great physical abilities. As young kids, they played a game of who can go further out into the sea. After a certain amount of time, Vincent suddenly has this freedom of biological causation and wins the game against his brother. This proves that not only was he able to surpass the nature of his birth, but also his expectations. He is able to decide to take on a different path that he was
We are constantly being affected our surroundings. As a result, our attitudes and personalities are a product of our experiences and the various environments in which they occurred . Furthermore, the society we live in presents to us a set of standards, values, and givens that we may or may not agree with. In literature, the society plays a major role in affecting the characters' thoughts and actions. In The Sailor who Fell From Grace with the Sea, The Stranger, and "Medea", the characters are affected by their society, and their actions reflect their conformity (or non-conformity) to it. Ultimately, non-conformity in these works create the conflicts that make the plots interesting.