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Examples Of Masculinity In The Media

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Arguably the most used and well known view of masculinity through media is the alpha male. The alpha male is always tough, often hides his feelings and is the well-respected “top dog”. David Greene (Brendan Fraser) in the movie School Ties (1992) is a prime example of this view of masculinity. The director Robert Mandel positions the audience to see this view of David’s alpha male masculinity through a range of technical, symbolic and narrative elements. Through this Mandel successfully shows how respected and admired David is by his peers and that he is a proud Jew who is ashamed to hide his religion.

As a Jew that is moving to an anti-Semitic school, David is forced to mask his religion which is difficult as he is dedicated and proud. When asked why David got into a …show more content…

Walk away?” Mandel has used David’s answer to enforce David’s pride in being Jewish. Throughout the film when David’s school mates are making jokes about Jews, the camera cuts from the person making the joke to David, showing David’s expression which is usually a grimace. This helps show David’s reaction and self-control he has to restrain himself from saying or doing anything. When David first arrives at his new school, he takes his Star of David necklace off so that his religion stays a secret. There is an extreme close up of the necklace and some soft melodic music fades in to give a feel of sacredness and to symbolize how big the choice he is making. Mandel has foregrounded David in this scene by centring a light on him while the background is dark and

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