Billy Elliot Research Paper

The problems that had the most effect on Billy Elliot were his family’s poverty, his mother’s recent death, his father and brother’s behavior. First, Billy was pressured by his family’s lack of income. The Elliot’s poverty was apparent in their living situation. Their house was in poor condition and it was too small for the family, which caused Billy to have to sleep in the same room with his brother. Also, the Elliot’s lack of income was only getting worse since Jackie and Tony were on strike. This financial situation would have been stressful for Billy in his education of ballet. Since he desired to go to the Royal Ballet School, the process of being accepted came at a high financial cost. This put a lot of pressure on Billy’s performance,
Jackie and Tony were very angry and violent individuals. This was mostly intensified by their revolt against their mining company. With all the violence they were exhibiting in the strike, this conduct was being reflected in their treatment of their family. This made the Elliot home a threatening environment for Billy. Additionally, Jackie and Tony’s fierce behavior in public and in the home served as a constant example for Billy. This influence was clear in the scene when Billy punched the boy who tried to console him after his audition. Evidently, Billy was exhibiting his father and brother’s state of aggression in his actions. Another way that Jackie and Tony’s behavior impacted Billy was through their lack of acceptance. Billy knew that neither his father nor his brother would be open to his desire to dance. Therefore, he went to great measures of secrecy to hide his dance education from his family. He did so out of fear that Jackie and Tony would respond with harshness or with disappointment if they found out. Billy was right to be worried seeing that Jackie and Tony’s initial reactions were unkind. Furthermore, their original lack of support for Billy likely caused him to feel, somewhat, ashamed of his aspiration to learn