The Character of Allison Reynolds fit the Stereotype of a Basket-Case

In The Breakfast Club, the character of Allison Reynolds is known as the basket-case. Dose the director John Hughes agree that the character of Allison Reynolds fits the stereotype of a basket-case, or is Hughes challenging that Allison might not fit into the stereotype at all? Throughout the film, the character of Allison dose and says things that might make her seem like a basket-case to the viewers,however,someone paying attention to the little details will notice something different about Allison Reynolds aka the basket-case. We are first introduced to Allison in the beginning, when she is dropped off by her father, who seems to speed away without saying goodbye. Allison is shown wearing all black and an oversized brown jacket. She then begins walking in to the school. Allison is the last out of the breakfast club to enter the library. She heads all the way to the back, and faces the opposite direction. When assistant principal Vernon walks in, she ignores him. Allison begins chewing on her nails loudly, and all of them turn to watch her. Bender looks at her for a moment before saying "if you keep eating your hand you won't be hungry for lunch."[Breakfast Club].She responds by spitting her nails at him. He then says, "I've seen you before, ya know." .When Bender takes the screw out of the door, Allison is also watching him with the others. Assistant Principal Vernon walks in once more, questioning them about why it's closed. When he asks 'Who closed that door?' Allison squeals and bangs her head against the desk. Bender says to Vernon "she doesn't talk. When the door is closed, Allison passes the time by wrapping a string around her finger, to make it purple. Reynolds then passes time by drawing a picture of a bridge. Allison...

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...blem. Director John Hughes is able to fit the characters in their stereotypes by their actions and way of dress. For example, Allison Reynolds proves to be the basket case when she begins chewing her nails loudly and not caring who sees or when she puts sugar sticks on her sandwich. However in the end Hughes challenges the stereotype of Allison being a basket-case, by revealing that Allison has a difficult time making friends in school. By using verbal and nonverbal language the character of Allison Reynolds is able to give the audience a look at her life and emotions. This shows that there’s nothing truly wrong at the end of the day besides the fact that she’s lonely and wants attention.

Works Cited

The Breakfast Club. Dir. John Hughes. Perf. Molly Ringwald,Ally Sheedy, Emilo Estevezand,Anthony Michael Hall and Judd Nelson. Universal Pictures, 1985. Film.