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Emancipative Values In Good Bye Lenin

Decent Essays

One example of an emancipative value at work in the film "Good Bye Lenin!" is seen in the young characters longing for individual autonomy. For example, Ariane is portrayed as a young woman who decides to change the course of her life immediately after the fall of communism. Instead of continuing her education in the field of economy, Ariane decides to stop attending school and takes a position at a fast food restaurant, which is likely caused by wanting to become financially independent. As the country's economic situation improved, many young people in Germany begun to place more emphasis on self-expression, which also resulted from having the autonomy over one's choices. This can be observed when Ariane changes her style of dress by starting to wear more revealing clothes and heavier makeup. Another example of self-expression at work is when Ariane and her boyfriend are shown to dress up and dance to Indian music.
Another example of an emancipative value is observed when we see the helicopter flying away with the statue of Lenin. It can be assumed from this scene that the statue of Lenin was a popular landmark during the socialist Germany as is symbolized the power of the communist regime. In my opinion, this scene has a symbolic meaning as it represents the German society's challenging the old authority and its desire for political freedom and democracy.
An example of a conservative value in the film can be observed in the behavior of one of Alex's older neighbors. Throughout the movie, he is shown to voice his negative opinions regarding the new political system and complaining about the massive loss of jobs that the working-class experienced as a result of the fall of communism. In the communistic society, most members are assigned some sort of a job or a role, and therefore it is difficult for the old neighbor to accept that now so many lost their employment.
Another conservative value at work in the film can also be observed in Alex's behavior. Although the character is shown to enjoy and even fight for the new political freedom, as the movie unfolds, it becomes clear that in his actions to protect his mother. Alex is also attempting to recreate an old sentiment and create a reality that he wishes

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