The Master Thesis is divided into five chapters: The first is dedicated to the theoretical concepts and Aristoteles´ motives that form tragedy. Also, William Shakespeare´s classic Romeo and Juliet is going to be mentioned briefly. Thus, it is the foundation for the narration of West Side Story and its relation. The second chapter focuses on the concept of the American Dream and the theoretical background of migration to the US and the aspiration of living a new prosper life in the US. Also, the juvenile crime conflicts that occurred in the late 50s and early 60s in the US, moreover, the racial problems that captivated society in that specific period. Besides, a major aspect is going to be the historiography of the Puerto Rican immigration to the US and how much it influenced West Side Story, which is why, there will also be an intensive illustration of the topic of migration and representation of minorities in media and how the movies work with stereotyping, based on the three film examples.
From its modern influenced and ballet-like choreography to its unique score and its subject themes of gang-fights, immigration and love, the story of West Side Story seems to have been very progressive for audiences at the time and the topic of teenage-gang fights and culture clashes was particularly accurate. West Side Story, inspired by Romeo and Juliet, is about pre-dominantly two teenage-protagonists, Maria and Tony, who are being lost in the Jungle in the mecca of America, New York City, the metropolis of modernity. Both are pushed into their misery through the hate of race. To this very day, not only the story but the film has become one of the biggest Film Musical Dramas in the history of movies. According to Barrios, on Broadway, West Side Story scored a significant hit and became even more immortal on screen. It was a movie different from anything that had come before. When West Side Story opened on Broadway in 1957, it caused a massive sensation and became the attraction in the world of musical theatre. Many Americans had seen Shakespeare adapted for the Broadway stage before, according to Andrea Most, West Side Story was a musical based on one of Shakespeare ́s tragedies that has drew the conventions of both musical comedy and of Shakespearean tragedy, it tested boundaries of both genres, ultimately inhabiting a hybrid form ideally suited to express the tensions and social concerns of 1950s American liberal culture.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Theoretical Concepts of Forms of Tragedy, Aristotle, Shakespeare and Musical
- Definition: Tragedy
- Aristotle's Poetics
- Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
- Definition: Musical
- The Concept of the American Dream, Ethnic Problems and Migration to the U.S. in the 1950/60s
- A Brief Concept of the American Dream
- The Great Migration as a Foundation
- Puerto Rican Migration to the U.S.
- Theatrical Liberalism
- The Reflection of Post-War U.S.-Society through the Movie Landscape around the 1960s
- West Side Story (1961)
- Motives and Themes within the Story
- Tony and Maria's First Meeting
- Juvenile Gang Issues
- Representation of the Social Issues and Gang Violence
- White Privilege and Puerto Rican Representation
- The Symbolism of Death Within West Side Story
- The Usage of Theatrical Liberalism and Self-Freedom
- Modern-Age Film Musicals
- La La Land (2016)
- Sebastian and Mia's Pursuit of Happiness
- Soundtrack (2019)
- Sam and Nellie
- Interracial Love Issues
- The Dream of a Balanced Life
- Similarities and Differences of Social Issues, Black and Hispanic Representation and the American Dream Effect within West Side Story, La La Land, Soundtrack
- The Depiction of Individualism and the Modern Tragedy
- The Romeo and Juliet Idea
- Black and Hispanic Representation within West Side Story, Soundtrack and La La Land
- Black and Hispanic Representation in West Side Story
- Black Representation in La La Land
- Black Representation in Soundtrack
- Musicals as A Medium for American Reality
Objectives and Key Themes
This master's thesis aims to explore how film musicals reflect social issues, specifically focusing on the depiction of the American Dream, ethnic problems, and migration to the U.S. during the 1950s and 1960s. The analysis uses case studies of select films to illustrate the thematic connections.- The portrayal of the American Dream in film musicals.
- The representation of ethnic minorities (specifically Black and Hispanic communities) in film musicals.
- The use of film musicals as a medium to reflect social and political realities.
- The evolution of the tragic form in modern film musicals.
- The exploration of themes of love, loss, and social injustice within the context of the American Dream.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter likely provides a general overview of the thesis's topic, scope, and methodology. It sets the stage for the in-depth analysis of how film musicals, particularly those focusing on the American Dream and its challenges, reflect and comment on broader social issues. The introduction probably establishes the theoretical framework and the selection of specific films (West Side Story, La La Land, Soundtrack) for analysis. It likely highlights the significance of understanding the historical context of the American Dream and its impact on different ethnic groups. Theoretical Concepts of Forms of Tragedy, Aristotle, Shakespeare and Musical: This chapter establishes the theoretical groundwork for understanding the concept of tragedy as it applies to film musicals. It likely draws upon Aristotle's Poetics to define tragedy and contrasts it with Shakespearean interpretations, before finally establishing a framework for understanding the adaptation of these concepts within the context of the musical film genre. This sets the stage for analyzing the chosen films through a lens informed by classical tragic structures, examining how elements of fate, hubris, and catharsis manifest in these modern narratives. The Concept of the American Dream, Ethnic Problems and Migration to the U.S. in the 1950/60s: This chapter delves into the historical and socio-political context of the American Dream, focusing specifically on the period surrounding the 1950s and 60s. It likely examines the challenges and realities faced by ethnic minorities, particularly those who migrated to the United States during the Great Migration and the waves of Puerto Rican migration. This likely explores how the concept of the American Dream was differently experienced and perceived by various ethnic groups, setting the stage for the film analysis to come. This chapter will likely address the existing systemic issues that led to racial inequality and tensions, providing a necessary background for understanding the narrative choices in the selected films. West Side Story (1961): This chapter provides a detailed analysis of the film "West Side Story," focusing on its portrayal of the American Dream, gang violence, and racial tensions. It likely examines how the film uses musical numbers and dramatic storytelling to convey the complexities of these issues. Specific scenes and characters will probably be analyzed, illustrating the film’s reflection of the social realities of its time. It will unpack the film’s exploration of themes such as love, prejudice, and the search for belonging, exploring how these intertwine with the broader narrative. The chapter is likely to include a discussion of the film's lasting impact and relevance in today's society. Modern-Age Film Musicals: This chapter will likely introduce and analyze more recent film musicals, contrasting them with "West Side Story." It explores how newer productions depict and engage with similar themes of social issues, ethnic representation and the American Dream. A thematic comparison between the newer and older films will likely reveal shifts in how these concerns are addressed, reflecting changing societal attitudes and priorities. Through the analysis of specific scenes and characters, this chapter will likely explore the evolution of storytelling techniques and thematic approaches in this genre. Similarities and Differences of Social Issues, Black and Hispanic Representation and the American Dream Effect within West Side Story, La La Land, Soundtrack: This chapter synthesizes the analysis of the individual films, highlighting similarities and differences in their portrayal of social issues, ethnic representation, and the American Dream. It is likely to directly compare how different films handled similar thematic concerns, discussing the evolution and transformation of these themes across time. This will likely involve detailed analysis of specific scenes, character arcs and storytelling techniques, which are likely to be compared and contrasted. The chapter is expected to draw conclusions regarding the development and continuity of the social issues presented in the chosen films.Keywords
Film musicals, American Dream, ethnic representation, social issues, tragedy, Aristotle, Shakespeare, West Side Story, La La Land, Soundtrack, migration, gang violence, interracial relationships, social commentary, theatrical liberalism, individualism.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this master's thesis?
This master's thesis explores how film musicals reflect social issues, specifically focusing on the depiction of the American Dream, ethnic problems, and migration to the U.S. during the 1950s and 1960s. The analysis uses case studies of select films to illustrate the thematic connections.
Which films are analyzed in this thesis?
The thesis analyzes three films: West Side Story (1961), La La Land (2016), and Soundtrack (2019). These films are chosen to illustrate the evolution of the portrayal of social issues and the American Dream in film musicals across different eras.
What are the key themes explored in the thesis?
Key themes include the portrayal of the American Dream in film musicals, the representation of ethnic minorities (specifically Black and Hispanic communities), the use of film musicals as a medium to reflect social and political realities, the evolution of the tragic form in modern film musicals, and the exploration of themes of love, loss, and social injustice within the context of the American Dream.
What theoretical framework is used in the analysis?
The thesis draws upon Aristotle's Poetics to define tragedy and contrasts it with Shakespearean interpretations, establishing a framework for understanding the adaptation of these concepts within the context of the musical film genre. This allows for an analysis of the chosen films through a lens informed by classical tragic structures.
How does the thesis address the historical context?
The thesis delves into the historical and socio-political context of the American Dream, focusing on the 1950s and 60s. It examines the challenges faced by ethnic minorities, particularly during the Great Migration and Puerto Rican migration to the U.S., exploring how the American Dream was differently experienced by various groups.
What aspects of West Side Story are analyzed?
The analysis of West Side Story focuses on its portrayal of the American Dream, gang violence, racial tensions, the use of musical numbers to convey complex issues, and the exploration of themes such as love, prejudice, and the search for belonging.
How does the thesis compare and contrast the chosen films?
A significant portion of the thesis compares and contrasts West Side Story, La La Land, and Soundtrack, highlighting similarities and differences in their portrayal of social issues, ethnic representation, and the American Dream. This comparative analysis reveals the evolution and transformation of these themes across time.
What is the role of "theatrical liberalism" in the thesis?
The concept of "theatrical liberalism" is explored in relation to the films' representations of social issues and the pursuit of self-freedom. It likely examines how the films utilize the medium of musical theatre to address and potentially challenge societal norms and expectations.
What are the main conclusions of the thesis?
The thesis likely concludes by summarizing the key findings of its analysis, highlighting the significant ways in which film musicals reflect and comment on the broader social, political, and cultural landscapes of their respective eras. It might also offer insights into the enduring relevance of these themes in contemporary society.
What are the keywords associated with this thesis?
Keywords include: Film musicals, American Dream, ethnic representation, social issues, tragedy, Aristotle, Shakespeare, West Side Story, La La Land, Soundtrack, migration, gang violence, interracial relationships, social commentary, theatrical liberalism, individualism.
- Quote paper
- Manar-Marc Soukar (Author), 2021, The Basics of Tragedy. How Film Musical Dramas reflect social issues, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1066430
