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Alexis Gonzalez
Response paper
English 1601
3/31/12
American Beauty: Influential Roles
American Beauty is a drama based film written by Alan Ball and directed by Sam Mendes. The main character Lester Burnham was struggling to find something in his life. In the beginning of the movie Lester said ” Somewhere along the way I lost something.” Throughout the movie Lester is a very depressed husband and father. He lost his happiness. In the story he explores different ways in which he attempts to be happy. He explores sexually, physically, and mentally.
Lester is not sexually satisfied in his relationship with his wife Carolyn. In the beginning of the film Lester did nothing about the situation. He is very sexually deprived and doesn't know how to handle it other than doing nothing.His daughter Jane has a friend Olivia who begins to spark fantasy desires in Lester. He mainly fantasized about Olivia, yet he took no action about the situation. Just the thought of her made him smile, which was a brief sigh of happiness in him.Lester slowly began to physically regain his sexual desires by masturbating which he had not attempted in years. He also attempted to be affectionate toward Carolyn. Although his actions did not have positive feedback from his wife, he still felt better than he had in years. He felt more alive which made him temporarily happy. Yet Lester needed a more spiritual and physical change as well.
Lester went through many physical changes in order to search for his happiness. Lester smoked cannabis with Ricky Fitts at a party, this was a very big transformation for Lester. He went back to his adolescent years which was necessary step to take. He also began to physically get fit. He went out to take jogs with the neighbors and he began lifting. Although a big reason he did this was to impress olivia. He didn't realize that he felt better about himself, making him happier. Another big step that lester took was quitting his job as a marketer. He was stuck and felt trapped. But after all the transformations he went through and some big influences he was able to quit which is what he wanted. Lester began to become more satisfied with the choices he was making.
Every task and obstacle that Lester accomplished were temporary fixes. One of the most important task that lester had to face was mentally maturing. The moment when Lester has finally matured and has had a full transformation is when he is the room with Olivia. Lester and olivia are about to engage in sexual activity when she confesses to him that she’s a virgin. This is when lester realizes that it was just a fantasy and that he was looking in the wrong places. He finally puts everything together and has finally gone through his personal transformation.
Lester had to experience sexual, physical, and mental tasks in order to completely figure out what he had lost. Throughout the whole movie he was a lost soul attempting to find his way. As the audience you see Lester progressively become a happier person. Lester definitely found what he was looking for it was clear to the audience. The audience truly sees this transformation when he grabs the family portrait and looks into it. It is evident that what he had in front of him was his happiness. This film was a very symbolic film. It helped lester find his identity and may have helped viewers see how important it is to never lose yourself or something important in your life.
Response paper
English 1601
3/31/12
American Beauty: Influential Roles
American Beauty is a drama based film written by Alan Ball and directed by Sam Mendes. The main character Lester Burnham was struggling to find something in his life. In the beginning of the movie Lester said ” Somewhere along the way I lost something.” Throughout the movie Lester is a very depressed husband and father. He lost his happiness. In the story he explores different ways in which he attempts to be happy. He explores sexually, physically, and mentally.
Lester is not sexually satisfied in his relationship with his wife Carolyn. In the beginning of the film Lester did nothing about the situation. He is very sexually deprived and doesn't know how to handle it other than doing nothing.His daughter Jane has a friend Olivia who begins to spark fantasy desires in Lester. He mainly fantasized about Olivia, yet he took no action about the situation. Just the thought of her made him smile, which was a brief sigh of happiness in him.Lester slowly began to physically regain his sexual desires by masturbating which he had not attempted in years. He also attempted to be affectionate toward Carolyn. Although his actions did not have positive feedback from his wife, he still felt better than he had in years. He felt more alive which made him temporarily happy. Yet Lester needed a more spiritual and physical change as well.
Lester went through many physical changes in order to search for his happiness. Lester smoked cannabis with Ricky Fitts at a party, this was a very big transformation for Lester. He went back to his adolescent years which was necessary step to take. He also began to physically get fit. He went out to take jogs with the neighbors and he began lifting. Although a big reason he did this was to impress olivia. He didn't realize that he felt better about himself, making him happier. Another big step that lester took was quitting his job as a marketer. He was stuck and felt trapped. But after all the transformations he went through and some big influences he was able to quit which is what he wanted. Lester began to become more satisfied with the choices he was making.
Every task and obstacle that Lester accomplished were temporary fixes. One of the most important task that lester had to face was mentally maturing. The moment when Lester has finally matured and has had a full transformation is when he is the room with Olivia. Lester and olivia are about to engage in sexual activity when she confesses to him that she’s a virgin. This is when lester realizes that it was just a fantasy and that he was looking in the wrong places. He finally puts everything together and has finally gone through his personal transformation.
Lester had to experience sexual, physical, and mental tasks in order to completely figure out what he had lost. Throughout the whole movie he was a lost soul attempting to find his way. As the audience you see Lester progressively become a happier person. Lester definitely found what he was looking for it was clear to the audience. The audience truly sees this transformation when he grabs the family portrait and looks into it. It is evident that what he had in front of him was his happiness. This film was a very symbolic film. It helped lester find his identity and may have helped viewers see how important it is to never lose yourself or something important in your life.
Monster, Final Project
There is a large percentage difference in incarceration of minority young men versus young white men. According to my research, for all males, ages 20-34, 1 in 30 are in prison. For black males in that age range, the number is 1 in 9. Statistics display that minorities make up 60 percent of the prison population. It’s estimated as of June, 30th 2011, that 12 percent of all black males in their twenties were incarcerated ,whereas an estimated 3.7 percent of hispanic males and only 1.6 percent of white males in that age group are behind bars. Reports show that 68 percent of prison and jail inmates were members of racial or ethnic minority groups. Reviewing the numbers, it’s not surprising that Latino and black males are the majority of prisons and jail inmates. It doesn’t necessarily have to do with their race or ethnicity, but in my opinion, young black and Latino males do not have as many opportunities as young white males. By opportunities i mean chances to succeed in life, like going to college and starting a good career. Amy Stuart Wells, a professor of sociology and education at Columbia University’s Teachers College, states,“Black students are more likely to attend segregated schools with high concentrations of poverty, less qualified teachers, lower expectations and a less demanding curriculum”. Wells continues by saying, “And they are perceived by society as terrible schools’ so it's hard to get accepted into college”. I also believe that many Latinos also do not have a good chance of going to college because they might be illegal immigrants or are struggling with the legal process. If a young latino is an illegal immigrant, then what are the chances that he will go to college if he does not possess a student visa? In some cases, Black and Latino males may not believe that they will succeed in life so they look towards a life of crime to make an income. It’s a sad reality and I think more organizations should reach out to help young minorities to help them rehabilitate instead of chastising them.
Bibliography
A philosophers blog
Race, Gender and prison population
Posted in law, politics, race by Micheal La Bossiere
February 29, 2008
http://aphilosophers.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/race-gender-and-prison-population/
U.S. Prisons:How crowded are they?
Total Population Rising at Alarming Rates by Charles Montaldo, About.com Guide
http://crime.about.com/od/prison/a/bjs040720.htm
More Blacks, Latinos in jail than college dorms
Civil rights advocates say census Bureau figures are startling
9/27/2007
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21001543/ns/US_news-life/t/more-blacks-latinos-jail-college-dorms/#.T7J3Pr_Z_40
There is a large percentage difference in incarceration of minority young men versus young white men. According to my research, for all males, ages 20-34, 1 in 30 are in prison. For black males in that age range, the number is 1 in 9. Statistics display that minorities make up 60 percent of the prison population. It’s estimated as of June, 30th 2011, that 12 percent of all black males in their twenties were incarcerated ,whereas an estimated 3.7 percent of hispanic males and only 1.6 percent of white males in that age group are behind bars. Reports show that 68 percent of prison and jail inmates were members of racial or ethnic minority groups. Reviewing the numbers, it’s not surprising that Latino and black males are the majority of prisons and jail inmates. It doesn’t necessarily have to do with their race or ethnicity, but in my opinion, young black and Latino males do not have as many opportunities as young white males. By opportunities i mean chances to succeed in life, like going to college and starting a good career. Amy Stuart Wells, a professor of sociology and education at Columbia University’s Teachers College, states,“Black students are more likely to attend segregated schools with high concentrations of poverty, less qualified teachers, lower expectations and a less demanding curriculum”. Wells continues by saying, “And they are perceived by society as terrible schools’ so it's hard to get accepted into college”. I also believe that many Latinos also do not have a good chance of going to college because they might be illegal immigrants or are struggling with the legal process. If a young latino is an illegal immigrant, then what are the chances that he will go to college if he does not possess a student visa? In some cases, Black and Latino males may not believe that they will succeed in life so they look towards a life of crime to make an income. It’s a sad reality and I think more organizations should reach out to help young minorities to help them rehabilitate instead of chastising them.
Bibliography
A philosophers blog
Race, Gender and prison population
Posted in law, politics, race by Micheal La Bossiere
February 29, 2008
http://aphilosophers.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/race-gender-and-prison-population/
U.S. Prisons:How crowded are they?
Total Population Rising at Alarming Rates by Charles Montaldo, About.com Guide
http://crime.about.com/od/prison/a/bjs040720.htm
More Blacks, Latinos in jail than college dorms
Civil rights advocates say census Bureau figures are startling
9/27/2007
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21001543/ns/US_news-life/t/more-blacks-latinos-jail-college-dorms/#.T7J3Pr_Z_40
Alexis Gonzalez
English
The movie Hancock centers around John Hancock, an alcoholic man with superpowers such as immortality ,strength, and flying . He lives in Los Angeles trying to help citizens from crime, and danger around the city. He slowly gives up on others because of the constant insults and blames that he receives when he attempts to help. Hancock is discouraged with life, especially not knowing where he came from which seems to give him a negative outlook on life. His questions don’t get answered and he feels isolated from the world. His reckless behavior ends up creating huge damages costing the city millions of dollars.The people look down upon him and don't want him involved with the city. When a public relations spokesperson Ray Embrey gets stuck on a railroad track, Hancock saves his life. Ray offers to help him as a way of showing his appreciation. He wanted to give him guidelines in order to improve his public image. Hancock accepts the offer and begins to work on his attitude and other crucial elements. He soon obtains recognition from the people. Hancock faces many tasks and obstacles that he overcomes throughout the movie. He ends up moving to New York City in order to continue helping others as a superhero. Through his experiences, Hancocks true identity is revealed. He came to fully accept the person that he was. Hancock finally allowed others to come into his life and influence him, helping him to create his own identity.
English
The movie Hancock centers around John Hancock, an alcoholic man with superpowers such as immortality ,strength, and flying . He lives in Los Angeles trying to help citizens from crime, and danger around the city. He slowly gives up on others because of the constant insults and blames that he receives when he attempts to help. Hancock is discouraged with life, especially not knowing where he came from which seems to give him a negative outlook on life. His questions don’t get answered and he feels isolated from the world. His reckless behavior ends up creating huge damages costing the city millions of dollars.The people look down upon him and don't want him involved with the city. When a public relations spokesperson Ray Embrey gets stuck on a railroad track, Hancock saves his life. Ray offers to help him as a way of showing his appreciation. He wanted to give him guidelines in order to improve his public image. Hancock accepts the offer and begins to work on his attitude and other crucial elements. He soon obtains recognition from the people. Hancock faces many tasks and obstacles that he overcomes throughout the movie. He ends up moving to New York City in order to continue helping others as a superhero. Through his experiences, Hancocks true identity is revealed. He came to fully accept the person that he was. Hancock finally allowed others to come into his life and influence him, helping him to create his own identity.