The subjugating of certain groups of peoples through stereotyping and enemy making is commonplace within American society. Unfortunately, even break-through, massively successful shows perpetuate this narrative, as shown with the television show Breaking Bad. Breaking Bad centers around a high school chemistry teacher, Walter White, as he “breaks bad” and becomes a methamphetamine dealer/ producer in attempts to help alleviate some of the financial burden put upon his family by his grim lung cancer diagnosis. While the show has been repeatedly herald as being among the greatest modern drama television series for its accurate portrayal of addicts and the downfall of a once respectable member of society, it falters in its portrayal of Latino
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One of the primary antagonists in Season 1, Tuco, is especially apt to these stereotypes, with his position as a psychopathic Mexican drug kingpin. His psychopathy is not uncommon of Latino-- especially Mexican-- men in the series and encompasses his ruthless, violent outbursts and generally overly violent personality. He is immoral and depicted as the “bad guy”, and even though he and White have both killed people, broken laws, and committed countless crimes, it is only White that the viewer is supposed to sympathize with. Tuco’s story arc ends with him dying, something done more so to characterize White has a human than him. This is typical of this show. Introduce a Mexican character, make them appear mystical, exotic, “not normal”, then kill them before the chance of a proper story arc or character development that would paint them as more human. This is seen time and time again with the vengeful, mystical brothers in Season 3, the Narcos in Season 5, and Gus, who, while appearing to be a black man, has Chilean decent. These violent characters are almost always involved with drugs or some other criminal activity, furthering the stereotyping present within the series. Enemy making is inherent within these stereotypes, as these stereotypes other Latino men and portray them as crazed, exotic psychopaths that are not a …show more content…
She is portrayed as a condescending, controlling, overbearing presence that only serves to make White’s life more difficult as she stands to be purely an obstacle keeping him from fulfilling his goals. However, this portrayal is incredibly unfair to Skyler, as family is a priority to her, and she cannot take White’s illegal “business” as it jeopardizes both her immediate and extended family (as Hank is a part of this extended family). Skyler, although justified in her stresses and actions, is portrayed as the stereotypical nagging housewife, someone placed just to be annoying and overbearing. Her stress becomes so great that she starts smoking while pregnant, something that is depicted as irresponsible and selfish rather than the desperate and the subtle cry for help it is. White only furthers her emotional toll by taking his frustrations out on her. He screams at her, calling her a “bitch”, telling her about how she always treated him poorly and never respected him, furthering her representation as the enemy, as if the main protagonist on the series despises such a character, then why not the audience, too. Skyler’s alleged emasculation of White emphasizes the stereotypical plight of the housewife-- to protect the family by supporting them with all costs, or to protect the family by appealing to their best
One of the primary antagonists in Season 1, Tuco, is especially apt to these stereotypes, with his position as a psychopathic Mexican drug kingpin. His psychopathy is not uncommon of Latino-- especially Mexican-- men in the series and encompasses his ruthless, violent outbursts and generally overly violent personality. He is immoral and depicted as the “bad guy”, and even though he and White have both killed people, broken laws, and committed countless crimes, it is only White that the viewer is supposed to sympathize with. Tuco’s story arc ends with him dying, something done more so to characterize White has a human than him. This is typical of this show. Introduce a Mexican character, make them appear mystical, exotic, “not normal”, then kill them before the chance of a proper story arc or character development that would paint them as more human. This is seen time and time again with the vengeful, mystical brothers in Season 3, the Narcos in Season 5, and Gus, who, while appearing to be a black man, has Chilean decent. These violent characters are almost always involved with drugs or some other criminal activity, furthering the stereotyping present within the series. Enemy making is inherent within these stereotypes, as these stereotypes other Latino men and portray them as crazed, exotic psychopaths that are not a …show more content…
She is portrayed as a condescending, controlling, overbearing presence that only serves to make White’s life more difficult as she stands to be purely an obstacle keeping him from fulfilling his goals. However, this portrayal is incredibly unfair to Skyler, as family is a priority to her, and she cannot take White’s illegal “business” as it jeopardizes both her immediate and extended family (as Hank is a part of this extended family). Skyler, although justified in her stresses and actions, is portrayed as the stereotypical nagging housewife, someone placed just to be annoying and overbearing. Her stress becomes so great that she starts smoking while pregnant, something that is depicted as irresponsible and selfish rather than the desperate and the subtle cry for help it is. White only furthers her emotional toll by taking his frustrations out on her. He screams at her, calling her a “bitch”, telling her about how she always treated him poorly and never respected him, furthering her representation as the enemy, as if the main protagonist on the series despises such a character, then why not the audience, too. Skyler’s alleged emasculation of White emphasizes the stereotypical plight of the housewife-- to protect the family by supporting them with all costs, or to protect the family by appealing to their best