Strain Theory In City Of God

Terrorism, bloodshed and power status sums up the focal points embedded within the movie, City of God, directed by Fernando Meirelles, and Kátia Lund. These themes create definitions for several theories. The first theory in comparison to the movie is Strain Theory. Because of the economic strain of the people within the film, most turn to criminal activity. “Many families were homeless due to the flooding and acts of arson in the slums” (Meirelles, 2002). The government shipped their homeless and poor in the City of God. Second, Social learning theory, which examines the young children’s participation in the wave of criminal activity. To begin with the movie, City of God, the movie is narrated by the character Rocket. In the opening scene there are people on a rooftop, killing chickens. The camera focuses on the knife that is sharpened using a stone. When one of the chickens escapes, the oldest of the group orders a command to a group of youngsters to catch the chicken. The scene of what appears to be a group of young children, all carrying and firing pistols escalates the chase, and creates an opening for …show more content…
He was the stability that was needed when contending with the character Li’l Ze. The importance of Benny’s character is highlighted concerning both Rocket and the character Carrot. On more than one incident Benny clams Li’l Ze down, and prevents murder. The turning point is the introduction of Angelica to Benny. She offers the “calm” way out, and portrays the life that Benny has always dreamed of. When Benny informs Li’l Ze that he wants to leave, the scene escalates to violence from Li’l Ze, who does not deal with rejection or abandonment. Following the death of Benny, the dam has burst and the knowledge that now there is no one that can calm Li’l Ze’s violent tendencies. This is also around the time when the audience is introduced to the “mutts”, a gang of children running through the streets