Mainstream media representations of masculinity play a role in shaping attitudes and ideas about what it means to be a “real” man in our society. In most media portrayals, male characters are rewarded for self-control and the control of others, aggression and violence, financial independence, and physical desirability. Many characteristics of the alpha stereotype are demonstrated through the character of David Greene who is played by Brenden Fraser in the movie School Ties (1992), directed by Robert Mandel. As the film progresses, Mandel creatively applied several narrative, symbolic and technical elements into representing David’s masculinity. The three most dominant qualities which sum up David’s representation of masculinity is his sportsmanlike attitude, uncontrolled emotions and the values he develops through mistakes.
As a superstar quarterback given a scholarship to a very prestigious school, David demonstrates a very sportsmanlike attitude on and off the field to everyone that he respects. “I’ll honour your tradition, I’ll go to the headmaster and I’ll lie,” says Greene to his former friends who voted him out over Charlie as he stares at them trying to fight back anger and sadness. This statement indicates that he was willing to put his classmates before himself, not so he seems like a hero but so others can benefit from his actions. It is made very clear that David has a strong relationship with his friends who accepted him when he arrived at the school at the start of the film, showing that he will retaliate towards anyone, including teachers, if they harm one of his friends. These displays of aggression fall into congruence with the stereotypical alpha male who is aggressive and protective any of his close friends in need. In the film, the director has cleverly used close up shots of David’s face in discomfort as his roommates tell Jewish jokes which reveals to the audience that he has a strong connection to the Jewish religion and its beliefs. This illustrates the attitude that David has attitude developed over time with this scene in particular where he displays acts of restraint and respect. Despite the fact that David has a great attitude towards most things, he still continuously struggles with controlling his emotions. David Greene occasionally finds it difficult to control his emotions from those around him and as a result, shows characteristics of a stereotypical alpha male who, if he needs to, will revert to being physically assertive. On a regular basis, David tends to act out violently or aggressively when he gets frustrated with a situation he has no control of. This idiosyncrasy leads to David being characterised as someone not to be crossed. This is evident when, despite the risk of expulsion from St Matthews, David charges towards his French teacher pushing him aggressively and repetitively shouting in his face, “You did this!” However, he slowly regains control of himself after he is held back by his mates who struggle to keep him from hitting Mr. Cleary. During this scene, wide shots of David wrestling his way through the crowd of boys gives the audience an indication of the distance he is covering at a fast pace and the compulsion he has of getting to Mr. Cleary. The close ups of Mr. Cleary’s and David’s faces as he latches on to his teacher’s night gown was another technical feature inserted in the scene. The fear …show more content…
However, he also includes filmic effects to represent David as a complex character. As a movie targeted at teenagers, School Ties heavily foregrounds the common, schoolyard type of alpha male. David’s character both supports and develops this main theme of preferred masculinity in the film by being a general all-round nice bloke. He demonstrates key characteristics of the stereotype, while also giving complexity to Greene’s personality. This falls into congruence with the evolved version of what it is to be masculine in today’s society. No longer is it acceptable that the assertive alpha male seen as self-centred, rather, they are developing into a man with good principles and morals and have the right attitude towards life in general. In conclusion, Mandel has successfully been able to communicate the message that masculinity is not based on stereotypical views but the way one is able to conduct himself and show respect to
As a superstar quarterback given a scholarship to a very prestigious school, David demonstrates a very sportsmanlike attitude on and off the field to everyone that he respects. “I’ll honour your tradition, I’ll go to the headmaster and I’ll lie,” says Greene to his former friends who voted him out over Charlie as he stares at them trying to fight back anger and sadness. This statement indicates that he was willing to put his classmates before himself, not so he seems like a hero but so others can benefit from his actions. It is made very clear that David has a strong relationship with his friends who accepted him when he arrived at the school at the start of the film, showing that he will retaliate towards anyone, including teachers, if they harm one of his friends. These displays of aggression fall into congruence with the stereotypical alpha male who is aggressive and protective any of his close friends in need. In the film, the director has cleverly used close up shots of David’s face in discomfort as his roommates tell Jewish jokes which reveals to the audience that he has a strong connection to the Jewish religion and its beliefs. This illustrates the attitude that David has attitude developed over time with this scene in particular where he displays acts of restraint and respect. Despite the fact that David has a great attitude towards most things, he still continuously struggles with controlling his emotions. David Greene occasionally finds it difficult to control his emotions from those around him and as a result, shows characteristics of a stereotypical alpha male who, if he needs to, will revert to being physically assertive. On a regular basis, David tends to act out violently or aggressively when he gets frustrated with a situation he has no control of. This idiosyncrasy leads to David being characterised as someone not to be crossed. This is evident when, despite the risk of expulsion from St Matthews, David charges towards his French teacher pushing him aggressively and repetitively shouting in his face, “You did this!” However, he slowly regains control of himself after he is held back by his mates who struggle to keep him from hitting Mr. Cleary. During this scene, wide shots of David wrestling his way through the crowd of boys gives the audience an indication of the distance he is covering at a fast pace and the compulsion he has of getting to Mr. Cleary. The close ups of Mr. Cleary’s and David’s faces as he latches on to his teacher’s night gown was another technical feature inserted in the scene. The fear …show more content…
However, he also includes filmic effects to represent David as a complex character. As a movie targeted at teenagers, School Ties heavily foregrounds the common, schoolyard type of alpha male. David’s character both supports and develops this main theme of preferred masculinity in the film by being a general all-round nice bloke. He demonstrates key characteristics of the stereotype, while also giving complexity to Greene’s personality. This falls into congruence with the evolved version of what it is to be masculine in today’s society. No longer is it acceptable that the assertive alpha male seen as self-centred, rather, they are developing into a man with good principles and morals and have the right attitude towards life in general. In conclusion, Mandel has successfully been able to communicate the message that masculinity is not based on stereotypical views but the way one is able to conduct himself and show respect to