Essay on Morals and Beliefs in Gran Torino

Values are beliefs people are about what is important and morally right or wrong. The values people obtain are often learnt from parents/carers and they may change constantly throughout life. Principles are based on values; they are the basic guidelines individuals follow about what is the correct way to act. In

Values help people determine what is right and wrong. They provide our moral compass in life.

The author portrays the message of standing for what you believe is right, never feeling pressured to conform to the attitude, values of other individuals. This is shown through Anthony who chooses to conform to Lance’s peer pressure yet consciously aware of the outcome of invading another person’s privacy. Although Anthony has good moral values, he fears Lance and therefore is unable to bring out the

1. A value is personal principle. Values are beliefs chosen by oneself that helps to shape the individual into who they are. An ethic is a system of principles having to do with ones morals.

Values can be a person’s ideal way on how to behave in certain places or their principles, just like ethics, beliefs, or standards (Henslin). Values can vary in cultures or religions as well. For example, when it comes to the LGBT community, which is also known as the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, I believe that everyone deserves to be happy

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.

Values relate to our personal principles, morals, and ideals—that is, what we consider to be important.Each person is unique, with their own personal values and beliefs shaped by a number of factors that include culture, religion, and personal experiences.We value each person as an individual, respect their aspirations and commitments in life, and seek to understand their priorities, needs, abilities and limits.

In Peter Singer’s essay “The Singer Solution to World Poverty”, published on September 5th, 1999 in The New York Times Magazine, Singer claims that the solution to world poverty is for Americans to donate excess income to aid organizations. His article consists of a gathering of exaggerated situations which he uses to engage readers, while also adequately supporting an argument of moral duty by comparing the hypothetical scenarios to Americans who do not donate. Singer exhibits an appeal to pathos to a substantial amount throughout his article. The provided situations set an outline for the reader to feel certain, appealing emotions.

For this assignment, I chose to watch the movie Gran Torino, directed by Clint Eastwood. Throughout this movie, I noticed there are a numerous amount of value and ethical issues that are present. Within the NASW Code of Ethics, there are values and ethical responsibilities that each social worker is to be held up to. All throughout the movie, Clint Eastwood portrays an excess amount of racism, particularly towards the Asian, specifically Hmong community. When I first started watching the movie, I recalled that the NASW strongly values the dignity and the worth of a person. I started closely paying attention to Walt Kowalski, played by Clint Eastwood. Considering how Walt Kowalski acts throughout the entire movie, he noticeably does not share the value of respecting the inherent dignity and worth of the person. As stated in the NASW Code of Ethics, social workers are expected to treat each person in a caring and respectful fashion, regardless of individual differences and cultural and ethnic diversity. Adding on, when referring to the Hmong community, Kowalski continuously uses many derogatory racial slurs. A few of the slurs he uses include, “Gooks,” “Zipper heads,” and “Fish heads.”. By addressing the Hmong community with these slurs, it violates section 1.12 of the NASW Code of Ethics, which is Derogatory Language. According to the Code of Ethics, it is required to use accurate and respectful language in all communications. The use of this language is also a violation to

“Ever notice how you come across somebody once in a while you shouldn't have fucked with? That's me.” (Walt Kowalski, Gran Torino, 2008) After watching the movie Gran Torino, I certainly can agree with Walt's perspective on himself. Gran Torino was produced in the year of 2008, written by Nick Schenk and directed by Clint Eastwood. In this particular movie we see the cause and effects of several social issues, how through socialization these social issues can be resolved and perspectives can be altered. Previously watching this movie I believed most individuals values were set in stone from experiences learned through the journey of life. However, I now believe that anyone can change their beliefs, forming new attitudes, setting new values

“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.

Q. What kind of man is Walt Kowalski? Examine character development throughout the film Gran Torino?

Values relate to principles and attitudes that provide direction to everyday living. Values also refer to beliefs or standards considered desirable by a culture, group or individual (AASW). Similar to values, but slightly different, ethics means a system of beliefs held about what constitutes moral judgement and right conduct, they are moral principles (rules, guides) (AASW). So an ethical dilemma is then when a person is faced with a choice between two equally conflicting moral principles and it is not clear cut which choice will be the right one (AASW). Finally, ‘a code of ethics’ is an explicit statement of the values,

The 2008 movie “Gran Torino” starring Clint Eastwood is filled with an abundance of cultural diversity, which is met with much resistance, stereotype, and prejudice by the movies’ main character, Walt Kowalski. Walt’s world is changing; his Detroit neighborhood is decaying, his relationship with his sons is distant, and his Korean War memories continue to destroy his ability to fully enjoy life. Through an unlikely bond with the Hmong children next door, Walt finally receives redemption by coming face-to-face with the same destructive prejudices consuming neighborhood teenage gang members

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