Comparative Visual Analysis of 2 Scenes from Rebel without a Cause - Movie Review Example

Comparative Visual Analysis of 2 scenes from Rebel Without a Cause Introduction The film Rebel Without a Cause presentsan interesting view in the shift of the gender norms that existed in the 1950s to the contemporary gender roles in the family setting. In the past, it is evident that the fathers took up that dominant roles of the provider of the family while the women took a softer and a more passive role. However, from the film, it is clear that this norm is being reversed to a great extent. This film, therefore, brings in a new shape of masculinity and also explores the life that women were forced to live in the previous times. The strains that men go through while taking up the roles that were previously perceived to be of the women is also highlighted. Using an analysis of two scenes from the film, this essay will assess the changing gender roles, essentially masculinity issues and the changing roles of the women in the society. Masculinity theme and Rebel Without a Cause-The Police Station Scene Masculinity issues have been well brought out in the film Rebel Without a Cause. As would be depicted from the Police Station scene that takes place in the Juvenile division, one can easily tell the place of Jim’s father in the family setting. In this scene, we see an encounter between Jim Stark and Ray, who is a police officer who makes sure that Jim does not get into any form of contact with his father and grandmother that have arrived at the police station to pick him up (Rebel Without a Cause). Jim had allegedly been arrested for disorderliness and drunkenness. In the scene, it is evident how the family is going through a massive gender crisis especially when Jims father attempts to apologize to the police officer and even blame his son for his deeds. On the other hand, Jim is not pleased with the remarks from his father and even attests to rebellion and political agency being the major cause for his discontent. It is this point that Jims wishes that his father would have like other tough fathers and disapproves of his father’s soft nature that is not required of a man (Rebel Without a Cause). Actually Jim refers to his family as a circus that he would not to belong in, especially with the confusion that the family has had in the past (Rebel Without a Cause). According to Jim, the family failed to a great extent in an attempt to satisfy the existing gender roles of an American family, since Jim’s mother controlled the family and his father a lot. Jim even hopes that his father would even knock his mother at least once so as he could prove his position and status in the family (Rebel Without a Cause). It is this situation that, therefore, leads to Jim acting in anger and even being rebellious to compensate what his father had failed to offer in his family setting. A cinematic analysis of these details link back to your thesis that argues that gender roles are shifting with the times. According to Kimmel, masculinity relates to the possession of the socially constructed characteristics that are traditionally correlated with men such as muscularity, roughness, being in power and even control (265). In relation with this fact, it is evident that Jim’s father lacked the masculine attributes that normal American man was expected to have at the time. This explains why Jim’s mother was always in control to the extent that Jim’s father would even apologize for the mistakes done by his son. The mother would out-shadow his father in discussions even at the police station. In this case, Jim’s father would be termed as passive, soft and not being in control of his family. With Jim expecting to have a father figure that would speak and the rest of the family adheres to his ruling, the vice versa happened. It is the perceived “softness” of his father that drove Jim to being rebellious so as he can portray his power, ability and control though his father presented a contrary of the societal expectation of being a man. The failure of Jim, as Slocum writes has been great linked to the masculinity crisis that was presented by his father (202). Had Jim’s father been tough and strong, probably Jim would not be an indiscipline case. The changing role of women and Rebel without a Cause- The Argument on Staircase scene The role and the place of women has been changing with the time especially with the changing circumstances in different contexts. In Rebel Without a Cause, this claim is true. In The Argument on Staircase scene, the shift of the power dynamics in the family is vivid. From the scene, an argument ensues between Jim and his parents. Jim is confronted by his mother, while the father is simply standing behind him. Jim’s mother accuses the son for misbehaving but Jim believes that his mother always finds an excuse for always blaming him for everything. Even after Jim confessing that he had something to do with the death of Buzz, Jim claims that his mother is always in control and never wants to listen (Rebel Without a Cause). It is this point that Jim turns to his father for help and intervention in the bitter argument but the father claims that he can do very little and that the argument is too much for him (Rebel Without a Cause). Jim’s father even buries his head in his hands to portray his powerlessness and inability to control his wife and son. Jim’s mother actually saves her husband from being chocked by Jim when he made attempts to make him speak (Rebel Without a Cause). Nonetheless, Jim’s mother controls the entire situation just like any man would do. An analysis of this scenes validates the thesis that the role of the women is changing a great deal in the society. As the societal norm would expected, women as expected to be soft, emotional, cool, fearful and even one that is conscious of herself (Lee 35-53). As opposed to the soft, calm and naivety that women are expected to portray, Jim’s mother presents a new edition of women who are tough, outspoken and ones that can handle issues that were previously thought to be of the men. Jim finds it hard to put up with her mother especially when she constantly questions on his delinquent behavior. Jim’s mother can also be indicated to have a great interest in reforoming her son, what his husband may arguably be indicated to have been completely unable to handle. It is therefore not surprising that Jim’s father claims to be unable to deal with the heated argument between mother and son, and yet Jim’s mother had the capacity to control the situations. Despite the constant rebellion, Jim’s mother remains tough and steadfast in the position that her son needs to take so as to fit well in the society, as well as present the required virtues. From the scene, the women can be referred to the stronger, and the “worthy” gender, ones that stood for what they believed was appropriate despite the stipulated gender norms. Conclusion The film, Rebel Without a Cause indeed presents a food case of gender matters. The theme of masculinity has well been explained through Jim and his father. Jim’s father is one that can be termed as an emancipated man that is not entangled to the traditional roles of manliness while his son is a case of masculinity crisis that believes an involvement in crime explains how masculine a man need to be in the society. The changing role of women from being passive, naïve and unconscious to a tough and outspoken woman can be well explained through Jim’s mother that takes a tough stand on her son, and the general family relations. Works Cited Kimmel, Michael. Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men. New York: Harper Collins, 2008. Print. Lee, Sandra B. Femininity and Domination: Studies in the Phenomenology of Oppression. NY: Routledge, 2012. Print. Ray, Nicholas, dir. Rebel Without A Cause. Perf. James Dean, Natalie Wood, and Sal Mineo. 1955. Film. Slocum, David J. Rebel Without a Cause: Approaches to a Maverick Masterwork. NY: SUNY Press, 2005. Print. Read More