For our Economics subject, we watched The Pursuit of Happyness, a movie based on Chris Gardner, a salesman who was not making that much money and eventually experiences homelessness with his five-year old son. He faces problems when his wife is unwilling to accept his goal to become a stockbroker and leaves him. However, he perseveres even under all this stress. Chris Gardner excels at his stockbroker internship in Dean-Witter, earning the attention and respect from his superiors. However, his personal life plunges exponentially.
In his mind, he thinks having money will make him powerful. Money will make him more of a man in his family eyes. Walter knows money can buy his mother a house, put pearls on his wife’s neck, send his sister to school, and provide a good life for his son. However, Walter fails to realize he is not using common sense, how his actions will break his Mama’s heart, or the shame he will bring to his family by acting with a mental psychologically enslave mind. Walter is a healthy black man with one way in his head to accomplish his dream.
Class difference is displayed very clearly in Blood Brothers, in particular the difference in wealth between the two families. Eddie’s parents ensure that he has a comfortable upbringing and is able to study at university and receive a qualification, resulting in a highly paid job. This is completely dissimilar to Mickey. He comes from a poor family which meant that he was stuck in a dead end job in a factory. “I bleeding hated it, standing there all day never doing anything apart from putting cardboard boxes together.” This reflects Mickey’s frustration and highlights the lack of opportunities open to him, which adds to the dramatic effect of the play because it prepares us for trouble in the future.
In the 1950s, the economy was improving and it was a period of prosperity and increased wealth. Those times were painted in an optimistic, almost idyllic way. However, the expectations regarding the perfect American life have a negative effect on the mental health of the characters. Willy Loman is introduced by Miller, as a long suffering, self-deluded, ‘desperate man’ who put all his faith in the wrong values. He is just an example of the typical Americans in the 1950s, who watched adverts for materialistic goods they neither need... ... middle of paper ... ...the insurance company wouldn’t pay the family any money.
A majority of individuals desire love, compassion, and a family. On the other hand, there are those concerned with self-image, material items, and the fact that money can indeed buy true happiness. In Arthur Miller's play DEATH OF A SALESMAN [published by Ted Buchholz (1993)]--the story of a sixty-three year old man named Willy Loman striving to achieve the "American Dream" and his family who suffer as a cause--contains many examples of trying to achieve material success. Willy's ultimate dream concerns following in his brother Ben's footsteps and rising to be a successful salesman. Willy Loman wanted success so badly that he lost a realistic sense of himself.
The stereotypes enlisted in this movie are both that of a villainous nature and a comedic relief with some of the characters. Throughout the film it is how the clever, white working class people of this hard working town have to overcome the maniacal working environment these Asian men have. Common stereotypes of the Asian man lay throughout the entire course of the movie, stereotypes that have been portrayed by the film industry of Asian men since its inception. The main stereotype in this movie is that Asian men only care about their jobs and their careers and little else. That the Asian man will go through great sacrifice to get to the top of the business that they work for.
He puts his wife Linda into the position where she is totally dependent on him. Because Willy has an incorrigible inability to tell the truth, even to himself, and an unreasonable mode of thinking, he justifies his death by saying that his sacrifice will save his sons, particularly Biff; he believes that the insurance money they collect will be a tangible remembrance of him. Willy’s dream was to become like Dave Singleman, who was a very popular salesman, liked by his clients and, able to do business by just making a phone call. Because he was so well liked, when Singleman died, customers from all over his region came to his funeral. Willy dared to believe that his funeral would be similar to Singleman's.
Walter views the check as the only solution to all of his problems, so once Mama receives it, Walter confronts her and begs for her “financial” support. Walter exemplifies his sudden, new-found confidence to Travis when Mama unexpectedly entrusts him with the remaining $6,500, “…your daddy’s gonna make a transaction . . . a business transaction that’s going to change our lives” (II.ii.885).
He was very honored and overwhelmed, but he knew that his father was counting on him to hold down the fort. There were times when curiosity got the best of him and just like any young boy he tried new things to see what would occur. He would receive old medals from his fathe... ... middle of paper ... ...a leader and through thick and thin regardless of the outcome a well founded leader will find ways to overcome even the worst of battles and come on top. This is a perfect example of great leadership. General Schwarzkopf stated “I shall always remain confident of the American’s people’s ability to rise to any challenge.” These famous words give us inspiration and makes us believe in ourselves, regardless of what type of path we decide to take, make the best of it, everyone’s role matters to someone down the line, so make the best choices and always come back stronger from downfalls.
The Pursuit of Happyness The Pursuit of Happyness is a film, based on a true story, depicting the life of a black man who lives in the borderline of the middle class, before falling deeper into poverty while trying to support his motherless child. Chris Gardner and his son Christopher, portrayed by actor Will Smith and his own son Jayden, depict how the lower class lived in the 1980’s, and explored the hardships many Americans faced, such as homelessness, the job market, the breaking apart of a family, and supporting a family while living in poverty. The Pursuit of Happyness, a real life film directed by Gabriele Muccino, tells the story of a man and his family living in poverty, and how Chris Gardner climbed out of poverty through hard-work and determination, while showcasing issues that are still relevant even today. Poverty, according to dictionary.reference.com,