Could there be such a thing as a world without any parents? Well, in Nicholas Ray’s 1955 film, Rebel Without a Cause, that seems to be the case. Parents are present in the film, but it is the fact that they are virtually non-existent in their authority or role as a parent in this film. It is due to this lack of mentoring that the teenagers, such as Jim and Plato, are so misguided in their conduct and act rebellious. However, it is this exactly that Ray wants the audience to take from the film and realize the need for good parenting. The opening scene shows both Plato and Jim at the police department being held in custody due to their unlawful actions (Rebel). When Jim’s parents come to pick him up, their tones and use of diction show very little worry for what Jim has done, and as for Plato, the absence of his own mother indicates zero concern. As the film progresses, both Plato’s and Jim’s actions reflect more and more the absence of proper guidance given by the parents. Jim “occupies the status of [a] teen rebel” (Feaster). Parents are the ones that children and young teenagers tend to learn from. They view them as role models for themselves and the way they act, but the lack of parental guidance leads to several problems. Rebel Without a Cause illustrates the problems that can arise from this, which include senses of abandonment, psychological and mental issues, and violent behaviors.
To start off, Nicholas Ray makes the sense of abandonment in his film very evident,
Although they are all different ages they all stay friends. They support each other through hard family times, for example; during the novel. Friendship is especially shown when Ponyboy runs away to hide with Johnny, so that Johnny don’t get into trouble with the police after killing a socs. Johnny shows that he cares about Ponyboy, but taking him back home to be with his two brothers. At the end of the novel, friendship is shown by Dally, committing suicide, as he can’t handle to live without Johnny.
Parenting played a big role in shaping the two boys lives. Having a parental mentor is important because they assist and guide children to take the right decisions about their lives. The author had his two parents at the beginning of his life. Also, the author’s parents, especially his mother, tried to raise him in an effective way wanting him to know the right from wrong at an early age. “No mommy loves you, like I love you, she just wants you to do the right thing” (Moore 11). This quote was a live example of the author’s life with his parents. It reflected the different ways his parents used to teach him “the right thing.” Though his mother was upset from his action toward his sister, his father
Most children who are fatherless have a higher chance of committing violence because of the lack of guidance. The presence of a father is important in order for a child to grow and mature. "Children who grow up without a father are five times more likely to live in poverty and commit crime; nine times more likely to drop out of schools and 20 times more likely to end up in prison." We clearly see that this statistic is very accurate according to Doughboy. Doughboy grew up in a household without a father so he didn’t have anybody to look up to. Instead of going to school and aspiring to outgrow his environment, we see that he is controlled by his surroundings due to a lack of guidance. He dropped out of school, went to jail and abuses drugs. This behavior is a perfect example of an individual being a mirror of their environment.
Throughout our lives we're influenced by many. It can have an effect on the way we view issues within societal boundaries. One of the major influences children have in their lives comes from their parents. The parents of a child can have both a positive and a negative influence on their lives. In the novel "To Kill A Mockingbird", there are two excellent examples of how parents can be a major influence on their children. Atticus Finch, father of Jem and Scout Finch, plays the loving, kind and knowledgeable father. He is an example of how parents can have a positive influence on their children. Bob Ewell, father of Mayella Ewell, plays the drunken, abusive, and neglectful father. He is an example of how a parent can be a negative influence
gradual loss of his mother to natural illness, and already absent father. Watching the film so
Teen ager would argue that to be independant is to be free. Although parents would say their child’s desire for independence is strenuous like an uphill climb. This is confirmed in W.D. Valgardson’s short story “Saturday Climbing” where Barry struggles to climb a deceiving rock face which is analogous to his relationship with his daughter. Not only if Moira will go to college in the upcoming year but also which campus she will attend.Through this narrative, Valgardson suggests that when parents provide copious amounts of security, conflict will arise and children will rebel; only when a balance is found between security and allowing independence will the relationship be harmonious.
Sedaris notices that society is corrupted through the example of his parents. He learns from his experience that his parents claim to change their bad habits, but they don’t, “When my mother reported that Mr. Tomkey did not believe in television, my father said, “Well, good for him. I don’t know that I believe in it, either,” That’s exactly how I feel,” my mother said, and then my parents watched the news, and whatever came on after the news” (Sedaris 3). Sedaris’ parents show how they are
Rebel Without A Cause’ and ‘Raw’ effectively elucidates the profound struggle of adolescent transition into adulthood. ‘RWC’ follows the story of protagonist Jim stark, an emotionally distraught, morally perplexed individual. Projected throughout the film are Jim’s struggles to adapt to the experiences of the broader world because of his confusion on what it means to be a man. Resulting in a constant quest for a stable role model to guide him to a virtuous and honourable way of life. ‘Raw’ pursues the story of Brett Dalton, an adolescent delinquent determined to dismiss any form of life-enhancing assistance from anybody. The narrative follows the evolution of Brett’s personal values in conflict with the broader world, and furthermore his transition
society with those of the 21st Century to highlight the extreme involvement of parents in
Rebel Without A Cause is a very popular film from 1955. It depicts life in the 1950's from the viewpoint of three teenagers who live in Los Angeles, California. They live in a comfortable environment in middle-class America. However, they must deal with their own inabilities to "fit" into society. The teens try to fit in with their peers and find the love they so desperately need from their families and others like their peers. The biases presented in the film's are based on cultural values form the 1950s. Rebel Without A Cause also compares to some of the data presented in the text Nation of Nations. The film also compares to the general view America has of the period of the
The role of the family has changed in America, in which, the authority of the parent does not have much influence in the child’s future. Tocqueville note that the father has lost most of his authority from the child, "which formerly separated a father from his sons has been lessened and that paternal authority, if not destroyed, is at least impaired” (Tocqueville 219). For example, young men are able to make their own decisions based on their priorities and
What exactly causes a teenager to rebel? This question is asked by millions of parents across the nation. Adolescents are in the formal operational thought stage. Parents must realize that their teenage children will have the desire to make their own decisions and challenge any inconsistent discipline. In the broadcast video, Teens: What makes them tick, when questioned why they choose to rebel, the majority of teenagers had one main reason, they are pulling away from their parents. With authoritarian parents, teenagers feel trapped and unloved. These parents are constantly nagging, lecturing and focusing on the negative aspects along with being punitive. The teenager begins to
No one is born a parent; no one really is a perfect parent. Dibs: In Search of Self is a perfect example of this as both parents had no idea how to raise a child in a loving, compassionate home. Dibs’ mother stated from the get go that the boy seemed to have it out for her and he was responsible for ruining her and her marriage. The father was completely wrapped up in his work and studies and made sure he’d made no time for his children. Additionally, his children had been instructed to stay out of his room while he was home. Once Dibs’ sister is born, he is again pushed further away as their mother spoils the little girl. Eventually, however even the sister is sent away to a boarding school.
Everyone remembers fighting with their parents at some point in their life, whether as a young child who wants a toy or as a teenager who isn’t allowed to go out. It’s normal to want to challenge authority when growing up, because it helps young people to make their own decisions and become individuals. Teenagers rely on few close friends and the last people expected to be confidants are their parents.
Often times I would rebel as a little kid, much like Jaja is starting to in Purple Hibiscus. I would often say, “no” or ask, “why” when my parents told me to do something. And I hated when my parents would tell me, “because I said so” this would absolutely drive me up the wall. I couldn’t understand why they would say this and would often question them to no end, or just annoy them by repeatedly asking, “why.” Now years later I understand that they were just protecting me, and trying to keep me safe the best they could.