Getting old and aging are things that have become difficult points for many and despite the negative representation of the elderly in film, they do serve a purpose. On the big screen we continue to see many underpinnings of ageist assumptions when in fact many of the characters are strong figures that ‘Still have the Right Stuff”. Clint Eastwood dispels that myth and several significant scenes epitomize this concept in the movie hit Gran Torino (2008). Gran Torino (2008) exposes and defends against ageist assumptions although many believe the underlying theme is that of racism and bigotry. We see an older man, Walt Kowalski (Eastwood) who has lost his wife and grows throughout the movie because of his relationship with a boy.When …show more content…
The physical signs of aging include a decline in flexibility and endurance in the first incident described below. In the second meeting with Sue, his heroism and powerful strength and persona is appreciated. He is no longer seen as a feeble old man. “As an initiation, Thao is asked to steal Walt’s prized 1972 Ford Gran Torino. He botches the attempt, as Walt, rather stumblingly, chases his out of his garage with his M1 rifle. Later, Thao’s sister, Sue (Ahney Her) is set upon by some stereotypically predatory young black man and Walt, brandishing a pistol, rescues her. Another scene in which the character of Walt deals with the prejudices of ageist yet remains in control is when his son and daughter in law gift him a telephone for old people with giant buttons and numbers on it for his birthday. They also present him with a gopher to help him pick up things on the ground more easily and retirement brochures. These gifts “would make things easier because he worked hard his whole life.” This was the last straw and he throws them out. This reaction shows Walt had the right stuff. He was not feeble or afraid to talk back to his children. As people age, they often accept the emotional abuse but Walt would not. Another concept where we see Walt fighting the concept of ageist is his role to ‘man’ Thao up a bit. The elderly are often seen as no longer being valuable members of society yet they
Walter comes up with another plan to take money from Linder, president of the Clyburn home association. Earlier, he offered the family money not to move in their neighborhood but Walter declined. However, after his devastating loss, he called up Linder to make a deal to get more money. Walter Younger’s defining moment was when Mama told him he was not a man and his father would not be pleased with his decision. This seemed to cause something to rise in him to change his perspective on
Walt Masters seeked justice for the claim jumpers who jumped an old man’s claim during the Klondike Gold Rush. This story appears when the Klondike Gold Rush was happening. Next to Walt, there was a neighboring claim owned by an old man by the name of Loren Hall. Loren had to go to Dawson, and Walt looked over the claim while he was gone. Walt had an ambition to serve justice and save Loren when his property was in danger. He is a very brave boy who has experienced things other children haven’t, and he will definitely help when someone is in need. “Last of all, he has a good heart, and is not afraid of the darkness and loneliness, of man or beast or thing” (London). This quote shows that he isn’t afraid of anything and that it will help him when he needs
driven by a force to prove himself but also to get revenge on his father, Walt, whose past continually
The humanity of aging is a concept sometimes hard to grasp. Understanding why we are
Ageism, an idea created by Robert Butler, can be described as degrading behavior or emotions toward older people based on one’s own fears or preconceived ideas (Butler, 1969). This kind of behavior can consist of anything from refusing jobs to someone due to their age and perceived capabilities from not offering ideal care to older people because one believes it is wasteful of resources. The presence of ageism within society leads to a population bound by certain stereotypes that can prohibit the advancement of people considered to be older adults.
Many sociologists believe that, like childhood, the age status is socially constructed. Many discussions about old age are negative and stereotypical, therefore it is constructed as a problem. People have different critical stereotypes of elderly people, they see them as, slow, old fashioned, complaining all the time and many other traditional stereotypes. An example of this would be the Griffiths Report. This report claimed that the care of the elderly was pushing society to facing the problem of meeting the growing costs that health and social care needs in order to help the growing number of elderly people. There has also been a recent fear of the ‘pension time bomb’ this has also caused some negative attitudes and concerns that the ageing population creates a
Walter struggles in understanding who he needs to be for his family. He wants to take his place as the patriarch of the family, but he feels incapable of providing them with the lifestyle they deserve. This concern is always at the forefront of his mind, and it affects his attitude and outlook. The anxiety that Walter is dealing with creates confrontation with his sister. He fears that her dream will interfere with his own agenda of making a better life for his family. The severity of the tension becomes more and more apparent with Walter’s unwise investment. Walter is dealing with the burden that he has let his family down, while Beneatha is flabbergasted by the reality that her future has been snatched away from her, and she had no control over it. While reflecting on the situation, Beneatha remarks, “ I sound like a human who just had her future taken right out of my hands! While I was sleeping….things were happening in this world that directly concerned me and nobody consulted me—they just went out and did things—and changed my life” (Hansberry 3.15). Walter and Beneatha’s individual issues with the outcome of the situation cause them to find fault with one another during a time when their family needs to pull together to get through such a financial hardship. Walter is in an emotional pit; his turning to alcohol and music instead of his family for support expands the
Walt’s oldest son and his wife bring birthday gifts for Walt they think are thoughtful and will make Walt’s life “easier.” Entirely out of touch with Walt and his goals and values, the gifts and retirement home suggestions are rejected, as is their presence. “No one can say we didn’t try” (Eastwood, 2008), but the audience knows better. Had they been more perceptive years ago about Walt’s communication/language culture, their presence would have been the best gift
To start with, it is a precise proclamation when saying the media depicts older adults as powerless, and destitute, but likewise creating numerous impractical stereotypes about them. Notwithstanding this myth, as per Robnett and Chop (2015), individuals also think, “older adults are unable to adapt to change,” and “older adults want to live in nursing homes (p. 21), which have been portrayed in numerous media advertisements. Similarly, it is ideal to recognize the things older adults contribute, similar to humanitarian effort and employments, as you said in the discussion, which is ignored in the media.
There has always been much controversy regarding older adults and behaviors that should be considered typical to people in this age group. The masses often tend to discriminate older adults as a result of information they see in the media world. It is thus difficult to reach a conclusion about older adults and what should be considered normal for a person belonging to this community. Most people believe older adults to be much less capable to look after themselves and generally in need of special care. Similarly, a great deal of older adults believe that it would only be natural for them to step down from their position once they reach a certain age, as society pressures them to take on such attitudes even if they feel that they still have power to go on.
For example, Kennedy the construction supervisor asks Walt when he can have “the keys” to his Gran Torino, and looks down on Thao for getting a lift. Without a car, Thao is dependent and still a boy. When Walt lends him the Gran Torino to take Youa on a date, he is giving Thao independence and the possibility of a girlfriend. Furthermore, the Gran Torino represents being a genuine American man. Walt built the car when he worked for Ford, and despises the “Jap-burners” that his son Mitch drives around in and sells. Likewise, Spider (an ‘anti-citizen’) drives a white Honda in every scene he appears in, except the last one. When Walt leaves the Gran Torino to Thao in his will, he is giving him more than a car. He is giving him a reward for work, a source of prestige, independence, and an American identity. The closing scene of the film shows Thao driving the car down an esplanade, a young man with a future, and hope.
As stated in No-one Expects Me Anywhere, Pamela Gibson states, “…above all we need to rethink our attitudes of aging… our negative images of old age are constantly reinforced through film, television, and newspapers, where representation often resembles caricature (Gibson, 87).” By only accepting and representing one small portion of society, the media is setting up consequences for the rest of society who do not fall under the accepted standards.
Clint Eastwood depicts a sense of transformation in protagonist Walt Kowalski from a racist tormented character to a compassionate father figure through characterisation. Protagonist, Walt is perceived as a tough, worn, old man who has had enough of the people around him. He is viewed as a stereotypical irritable old Korean war
So it is suitable for that composition, when it’s all said and done, appears as if it will exhibit Walt's defeat. The focus when last we saw him, in the scene "Gliding Over All," Hank was using the restroom sitting on the toilet, finding Walt's replica of Whitman's Leaves of Grass. Five years after the fact of looking for, the reaction to the mystery of the blue meth falls right into Hank's lap: he opens the book and examines an etching that joins Walt with Heisenberg. "Gliding Over
The opening of the film introduces us to WALT KOWALSKI at the funeral of his wife. The opening scene and the next (the wake) show us that Walt has no desire to belong either to his family or to his religion. Everything jars with Walt, from the young priest giving the eulogy to his granddaughters belly button ring, from the Japanese car driven by his son to his granddaughters crass selfishness. He perceives his family as selfish, materialistic and shallow. His family also reject and are intolerant of him. He also rejects the ties of belonging represented by religion though we only learn the real reason for this later. It’s quite plain he thinks