How Does Billy Elliot Show Identity
English Essay - How does Billy Elliot represent relationships and identity?
Manliness consists not in bluff, bravado or loneliness. It consists in daring to do the right thing and facing consequences whether in matters social, political or other. It consists in deeds, not words.”
Mahatma Gandhi, 1869 – 1948
In the film “Billy Elliot,” Lee Hall and Stephen Daldry use Billy’s relationships with friends and family to demonstrate themes of identity and masculinity. There are three main relationships expressed in the film, between Billy and his dad, his ballet teacher and his best friends. Each connection symbolises one of three different aspects of relationship or identity. The father represents aggression, superiority, and the societal stereotypes of masculinity: virility, machismo and bravado. The ballet teacher portrays compassion, a motherly figure, and a more ethical, philosophical meaning of being a man. The friends depict moral identity, straying from societal expectations, and the effects of homosexuality on a person’s intrinsic integrity. Throughout the film parallels are drawn to the quote at the prologue to …show more content…
Billy’s relationship with Jackie symbolises the societal stereotypes of “bluff, bravado”, machismo and virility. His connection with Mrs Wilkinson portrays the ethical, philosophical definition of being a “true man”, a view shared by Gandhi. Finally, Billy’s friendships with Debbie and Michael discuss the effects of homosexuality on a man’s moral and social identity. Various film techniques such as lighting and camera angles are used to express different themes and moods – aggression and superiority, compassion and equality, et cetera, and apposite quotations combined with vivid use of symbolism help convey the deeper moral and philosophical concepts. “Billy Elliot” is an inspiring allegorical film that explores the controversial themes of relationships, identity and
Manliness consists not in bluff, bravado or loneliness. It consists in daring to do the right thing and facing consequences whether in matters social, political or other. It consists in deeds, not words.”
Mahatma Gandhi, 1869 – 1948
In the film “Billy Elliot,” Lee Hall and Stephen Daldry use Billy’s relationships with friends and family to demonstrate themes of identity and masculinity. There are three main relationships expressed in the film, between Billy and his dad, his ballet teacher and his best friends. Each connection symbolises one of three different aspects of relationship or identity. The father represents aggression, superiority, and the societal stereotypes of masculinity: virility, machismo and bravado. The ballet teacher portrays compassion, a motherly figure, and a more ethical, philosophical meaning of being a man. The friends depict moral identity, straying from societal expectations, and the effects of homosexuality on a person’s intrinsic integrity. Throughout the film parallels are drawn to the quote at the prologue to …show more content…
Billy’s relationship with Jackie symbolises the societal stereotypes of “bluff, bravado”, machismo and virility. His connection with Mrs Wilkinson portrays the ethical, philosophical definition of being a “true man”, a view shared by Gandhi. Finally, Billy’s friendships with Debbie and Michael discuss the effects of homosexuality on a man’s moral and social identity. Various film techniques such as lighting and camera angles are used to express different themes and moods – aggression and superiority, compassion and equality, et cetera, and apposite quotations combined with vivid use of symbolism help convey the deeper moral and philosophical concepts. “Billy Elliot” is an inspiring allegorical film that explores the controversial themes of relationships, identity and