Introduction
Starting point for my term paper was the question of how to approach such a complex work of art, since I had no previous experience or theoretical knowledge in the analysis of films. It quickly dawned on me that a literal analysis of the film´s plot and its characters under particular consideration of the author´s intention, that I was used to in the field of literary studies, would be dysfunctional, since there were too many creative sources involved in the genesis of a film. To further complicate matters, I became in my search for appropriate secondary literature quickly acquainted with some post-modern scholars such as Robin Wood, who sees Paul Schrader as a
“neo-fascist”, “whose films amount to a systematic
repudiation of all minority groups and any possible social alternative, in order to re-assert a quasi-mystical sense of male supremacy, heterosexual superiority, and a total spurious "transcendence". [...] the film's interest is inseparable from its sense of confusion, its failure to define a coherent attitude towards its protagonist.“ (Wood)
Since I was convinced that there was more to Taxi Driver than its „sense of confusion“ and, that a coherent, clear analysis was possible, though coming to a definite conclusion might not be possible due to its character´s ambivalence, I intended my term paper to be a step out of this academic mingling of terms by the use of an integral approach. I use the word integral in a Wilberian sense, which is “to include as many perspectives, styles, and methodologies as possible within a coherent view of [a] topic“. (“integral thought” -Wikipedia) Part one of my paper is generally a brief summary of the main underlying motives that I identified in the secondary literature on Taxi Driver. These motives are: Travis Bickle´s ambivalence, the creative tension between Paul Schrader and Martin Scorsese, cinematic and literary influences on Taxi Driver as well as Taxi Driver´s influences. Part two comprises a look at Taxi Driver from three fundamental perspectives – the psychological, the social and the cultural- and is introduced by the question “How to approach Taxi Driver?”, which is basically
a reflection on my original dilemma.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Travis Bickle – “a walking contradiction”
- Influence
- Cinematic and literary influences on Taxi Driver
- Taxi Driver's influence
- How to approach Taxi Driver?
- The psychological perspective
- The social perspective
- The cultural perspective
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper aims to provide an integral analysis of Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver, exploring its complexities and nuances. By examining the film through various perspectives, the paper seeks to offer a comprehensive understanding of its themes, characters, and influences.
- Travis Bickle's ambivalence and his portrayal as a "walking contradiction"
- The creative tension between screenwriter Paul Schrader and director Martin Scorsese
- The film's cinematic and literary influences, such as John Ford's "The Searchers" and works by Albert Camus, Jean Paul Sartre, and Fyodor Dostoevsky
- The psychological, social, and cultural perspectives through which the film can be interpreted
- The film's impact and influence on subsequent works of art and culture.
Chapter Summaries
The introduction explores the challenges of analyzing such a complex film, noting the involvement of multiple creative sources and the difficulty of reaching a definitive conclusion due to the protagonist's ambivalence. The paper proposes an integral approach, drawing from various perspectives to understand the film's complexities.
The chapter titled "Travis Bickle – “a walking contradiction”" delves into the character of Travis Bickle, highlighting his internal conflicts, his alienation from society, and his descent into violence. The chapter examines how Travis's experiences in Vietnam and his struggles with insomnia, loneliness, and sexuality contribute to his troubled personality. It also explores how his actions are both repellent and strangely appealing to the audience, leaving a sense of ambiguity about his character.
The "Influence" chapter explores the creative tension between director Martin Scorsese and screenwriter Paul Schrader, highlighting their distinct religious and artistic backgrounds. It examines how this tension shaped the film's themes, narrative, and visual style. The chapter also discusses the numerous cinematic and literary influences on Taxi Driver, including John Ford's "The Searchers," the diary of Arthur Bremer, and works by existentialist philosophers such as Albert Camus, Jean Paul Sartre, and Fyodor Dostoevsky.
The "How to approach Taxi Driver?" chapter reflects on the original dilemma of analyzing the film and introduces the three fundamental perspectives that will be explored in the following sections: the psychological, the social, and the cultural.
Keywords
The main keywords and focus topics of this analysis include: integral analysis, Martin Scorsese, Taxi Driver, Travis Bickle, Paul Schrader, cinematic influences, literary influences, psychological perspective, social perspective, cultural perspective, ambivalence, violence, alienation, existentialism, post-traumatic stress disorder, Vietnam War, religious themes, creative tension, and film analysis.
- Quote paper
- Daniel Roth (Author), 2006, An Integral Analysis of Martin Scorsese´s 'Taxi Driver', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/189161
