Wattup
Studieretningsprojekt 2010
Julia Dobronyi Zachariasen 3.C
Abstract
This paper discusses why some individuals are attracted by extreme, violent, racist groups in the postmodern society. It also discusses the terms and behaviors of the postmodern individual. Based on Anthony Giddens’ and Thomas Ziehe’s two sociology theories it analyses and interprets the film American History X as if it were a novel. The paper has a strong focus on cinematographic instruments, envoirment, Danny and Derek’s self-perception and their relationship to other people. Through a thorough analysis of the film the paper showed that the postmodern society, which we live in today, plays a greater role to the individual than ever before. Due to the changes which the postmodern society has brought about, the individual today must now shape its life by itself through the endless choices one can make. An individual with a weak and confused identity is therefore more exposed to joining groups or sects, in its seeking towards meaning and security in the individual’s life. The analysis shows clearly that Danny and Derek indeed have confused identities and therefore join a neo-Nazi gang. Since they lost their father, because of a murder on him, Derek has unconsciously been looking for a new father figure and which he indeed finds in the gang’s leader, Cammeron Alexander. The reason why Danny follows down the same road as Derek is due to the fact the he looks very much up to his brother and therefore to make Derek proud, Danny tries to show him that he can do the same. This paper shows that many young people around the world have confused identities and therefore have a tendency of seeking into gangs/groups like the Vinyard-brothers. The fact is never the less that there has got to be a form of preventive social surveillance of the society as well as on individual, so that their identities can be formed properly. In this way the government is one step closer in having a good influence
Julia Dobronyi Zachariasen 3.C
Abstract
This paper discusses why some individuals are attracted by extreme, violent, racist groups in the postmodern society. It also discusses the terms and behaviors of the postmodern individual. Based on Anthony Giddens’ and Thomas Ziehe’s two sociology theories it analyses and interprets the film American History X as if it were a novel. The paper has a strong focus on cinematographic instruments, envoirment, Danny and Derek’s self-perception and their relationship to other people. Through a thorough analysis of the film the paper showed that the postmodern society, which we live in today, plays a greater role to the individual than ever before. Due to the changes which the postmodern society has brought about, the individual today must now shape its life by itself through the endless choices one can make. An individual with a weak and confused identity is therefore more exposed to joining groups or sects, in its seeking towards meaning and security in the individual’s life. The analysis shows clearly that Danny and Derek indeed have confused identities and therefore join a neo-Nazi gang. Since they lost their father, because of a murder on him, Derek has unconsciously been looking for a new father figure and which he indeed finds in the gang’s leader, Cammeron Alexander. The reason why Danny follows down the same road as Derek is due to the fact the he looks very much up to his brother and therefore to make Derek proud, Danny tries to show him that he can do the same. This paper shows that many young people around the world have confused identities and therefore have a tendency of seeking into gangs/groups like the Vinyard-brothers. The fact is never the less that there has got to be a form of preventive social surveillance of the society as well as on individual, so that their identities can be formed properly. In this way the government is one step closer in having a good influence