Social Barriers in Gattaca
Social Barriers:
The society of Gattaca separates its citizens into categories based on their genetic makeup, thus segregating its citizens into distinct categories. The most prominent social barrier evident in Gattaca is the one isolating the natural born from the genetically modified. Vincent, being a “God-child”, was regarded by society as a second class citizen for his genetic inferiority.
Vincent experiences rejection at a very young age. Due to his heart condition he was deemed too great a risk to attend kindergarten with the so called “normal” children. No one wanted to be held responsible should he fall ill whilst under their care. At such a tender and impressionable age, it was made painfully obvious to Vincent that he was not like the other children. The tall, imposing gate of the kindergarten slammed in Vincent’s face seems symbolic of the social chasm lying between Vincent and the valid children. In this scene, the movie utilises a close up shot of Vincent’s small, childish hand gripping the thick, steel bar of the kindergarten gate to further emphasizes to the audience of Vincent’s rejection.
Not only is Vincent discriminated against by society, his family, to an extent, also rejected him. Niccol shows this emotional distance between Vincent and his family in a number of subtle ways. Many times we are shown Anton conversing happily with his parents while Vincent stands off to the side. At meal times we see Vincent sitting at the coffee table studying the theories of space travel whilst his family sits around the dining table. In the family photo we see Anton standing in the middle of his mother and father while Vincent stands off to the side. Vincent’s father rejects him at birth, refusing to give his first-born son his name. He continues to view his son as a substandard member of society as Vincent grows up, saying to him that “the only way you’ll see the inside of a space ship is if you were cleaning it”.
Vincent’s isolation from
The society of Gattaca separates its citizens into categories based on their genetic makeup, thus segregating its citizens into distinct categories. The most prominent social barrier evident in Gattaca is the one isolating the natural born from the genetically modified. Vincent, being a “God-child”, was regarded by society as a second class citizen for his genetic inferiority.
Vincent experiences rejection at a very young age. Due to his heart condition he was deemed too great a risk to attend kindergarten with the so called “normal” children. No one wanted to be held responsible should he fall ill whilst under their care. At such a tender and impressionable age, it was made painfully obvious to Vincent that he was not like the other children. The tall, imposing gate of the kindergarten slammed in Vincent’s face seems symbolic of the social chasm lying between Vincent and the valid children. In this scene, the movie utilises a close up shot of Vincent’s small, childish hand gripping the thick, steel bar of the kindergarten gate to further emphasizes to the audience of Vincent’s rejection.
Not only is Vincent discriminated against by society, his family, to an extent, also rejected him. Niccol shows this emotional distance between Vincent and his family in a number of subtle ways. Many times we are shown Anton conversing happily with his parents while Vincent stands off to the side. At meal times we see Vincent sitting at the coffee table studying the theories of space travel whilst his family sits around the dining table. In the family photo we see Anton standing in the middle of his mother and father while Vincent stands off to the side. Vincent’s father rejects him at birth, refusing to give his first-born son his name. He continues to view his son as a substandard member of society as Vincent grows up, saying to him that “the only way you’ll see the inside of a space ship is if you were cleaning it”.
Vincent’s isolation from