The theme of dysfunctional family is wonderfully evident throughout the film 'Pride' by Matthew Warchus. In one of the first scenes we are confronted by the theme of Dysfunctional family in the life of one of the central characters, Joe. Straightaway, in the light filled suburban kitchen we can sense the awkward lack of communication between Joe and his parents. Joe's mother is sickeningly saccharin in her celebration of Joe's 20th birthday. She still treats him as if he is a little boy, her intentions are good but she does not understand him. Joe's father is a stern, uncommunicative man who rarely talks and does not value his son. Joe hides his secret gay identity from his family for the majority of the film. As he learns more about himself and becomes more involved in the gay community there grows a sense of leading a double life. When he is with his friends working in the group, down in Wales or in Gethin's bookshop he is alive but when he comes home he shrinks back into a scared little boy hiding everything from the intolerant environment around him. The dysfunctionality of Joe's family is created by the complete lack of empathy, understanding and communication on the part of his parents and Joe's secretive manner around them.
The theme of dysfunctional family is clearly seen in Joe's life.
The theme of dysfunctional family is seen once again within the family of Lesbians and Gays support the miners group. There are many personality clashes within the group, the flamboyant gays like Jonathan don't see eye to eye with the more conservative gays like Reggie on how they should behave in the Welsh village. There are rifts between the strident Lesbians in the group and Mark, the leader. The Dysfunctionality caused by their insistence on having a women's group results in them leaving the group and setting up their own group. The most striking evidence of this theme is seen at the low point of the film when Mark and Mike the symbolic Father and Mother of the Group have a falling out resulting in Mark leaving the group.
Good work - lovely vocabulary and phrasing. I think the first paragraph could benefit from ending with a specific example. You might end with a reference to Joe's birthday badge for example. Tie your thoughts down with a concrete example from the text. It'll prove your point and demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the text. Also, was not as long as I was expecting.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with your point here. The theme of dysfunctional family is also seen in the play: 'Doll's House', and at other points in the film 'Pride'.
ReplyDeleteWe this in the relationship between Nora and Torvald. In the play it is apparent that their entire relationship is propped up on lies. We see the dysfunctionality at the end of the play when Torvald read a letter which said that Nora forged a signature. Torvald immediately claims that Nora must stay away from the children and that she is a bad influence. This shows dysfunctional family because it highlights how fragile this relationship family is. Nora lied to Torvald but the fact that Torvald wished to ostracize Nora shows us that this was not a healthy relationship. It also is highlighted in the fact that Nora abandoned her family showing the theme of dysfunctional family.
We see this theme again in the film 'Pride' with Gethin and his mother. Both characters have not seen each other in many years due to the mother's bigotry against homosexual people. This highlights the theme of dysfunctional family. Gethin leaving his family is also very similar to Nora doing the same. Gethin returning to his family could be similar to the future Nora and her family have.