Analysis Of The Day The Earth Stood Still

The Day The Earth Stood Still

The Day The Earth Stood Still explores the ramifications of nuclear development and the lack of peace during the Cold War, promoting the idea of a common humanity and the need for reevaluation of morals. A shift in paradigms between the role of the government and the role of the people, as a result of the extraterrestrial presence of Klaatu, explores the role of the powerful political parties such as the US and the Soviet Union in deciding the fate of the masses. The US government is vulnerable in the presence of Klaatu, as his presence threatens their power. The power held by the US government conveyed as threatened is the power created by nuclear advancement, however not only is Klaatu’s planet greater developed

Viewed through the passive view of wheelchair bound Jefferies, the two female characters Lisa and Stella take on an active role contrary to their usually presumed roles as a housewife and nurse. Without Lisa and Stella, Jefferies would be left helpless, exposing the unappreciated need for women during the context and their crucial role in society. World War II saw over six million women take on active roles in the work force whilst men were at war. As their position in society grew stronger, so too did the fear for the emancipation and redundancy of men. Thus, Jefferies broken leg is a metaphor and an embodiment of a world without men, in which women are superior. Lisa is often seen changing outfits throughout the film whilst Jefferies is infantilised in his chair, symbolising the freedom experienced by Lisa due to her role of necessity. The portrayal of Lisa and Stella as strong and independent women is counter cultural due to the traditionally high status of men as the dominant money makers in society. Such portrayal is empowered by the social reform of the 50s lead by a wave of feminist activism, thus breaks down the barriers held by stereotypical attitudes of

In doing so, Le Carre moves from the action-filled and glamorous world created by blockbusters such as James Bond, and goes deeper into the ramifications of political ideologies such as the ends justifies the means. With the Cold War a political battle significantly between the US and the USSR, society was plagued with the presence of competition between their two political doctrines - democracy and communism, east and west. Le Carre explores this oppositional divide though the extended metaphor of binary opposites hot and cold. The cyclical form of the novel provides a physical example of the metaphor as the novel begins and ends at the Berlin Wall - the tangible symbol for the divide between east and west. Furthermore, protagonist Leamas is portrayed as a “prisoner” to the ideologies that encompass his work. Tough-minded and cynical, the devotion Leamas gives to his work has allowed him block out the moral and ethical questions raised by his work. As Liz questions his strong position, Leamas becomes defensive and justifies his morals are based on rationality - “I believe an eleven bus will take me to Hammersmith. I don’t believe it’s driven by Father Christmas”. This characterises Leamas as a cold character as his loyalty to his work prevents him from developing any ethical considerations or deep connections to others such as Liz. It is not until a