The term ‘hero’ cannot definitely be defined. Every society has other standards for this expression. A hero can be a person who gave his life for other persons, he can be a person who saved the lives of many people or he can be someone who is a symbol for a whole generation because of his life style. A social revolutioner can change life for generations and make daily routine more livable.
This definition applies especially to the American Nation. Trough history, several people ameliorated communal life and their achievements stand for the attitude towards life called the American dream.
To explain the extent of this assumption, I will analyze the role of Barney Stinson on the TV show ‘How I met your mother’. Assuming that every unmarried man in America wants to be Barney Stinson, I want to demonstrate the meaning of identity, independence and sexual latitude in the American society.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- How I met your mother – The TV show and its popularity
- Barney as a hero for all American bachelors
- Father complex
- Sexuality in America
- The impact of success on masculinity and identity
- The American dream in How I Met Your Mother
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze the character of Barney Stinson from the television show "How I Met Your Mother" and examine his role as a representation of the modern American bachelor. The paper explores how Barney's character embodies the values, aspirations, and complexities of masculinity in contemporary American culture. It also delves into the portrayal of relationships, particularly the father-son dynamic, and how the show reflects broader societal trends.
- The American Dream and Masculinity
- The Role of the Father Figure
- Sexuality and Identity in American Society
- The Impact of Success on Identity
- The Importance of Friendship and Relationships
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction defines the concept of a hero and explores how this idea manifests in American society. It then introduces Barney Stinson as a potential "hero" for modern American bachelors, highlighting his significance in the context of the TV show "How I Met Your Mother."
Chapter two provides an overview of the television show "How I Met Your Mother" and its popularity. It introduces the main characters and their roles in the narrative, highlighting Barney's unique position as the independent and successful bachelor. The chapter also discusses the show's exploration of relationships and the challenges of finding love in contemporary America.
Chapter three examines Barney Stinson as a figure of aspiration for American bachelors. It analyzes his character traits, including his confidence, prosperity, and open sexuality, and explores how these qualities resonate with a male audience. The chapter also explores the complexities of Barney's personality, revealing his vulnerabilities and the human aspects of his character.
Chapter four delves into Barney's father complex, a significant aspect of his character development. The chapter explores the impact of Barney's missing father on his upbringing and how this affects his relationships with women. It examines the concept of the father complex through a Freudian lens and explores how Barney's experiences resonate with a broader societal trend of absent fathers.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The central themes and concepts explored in this work include the American dream, masculinity, identity, sexuality, father complex, relationships, and contemporary American society. The analysis focuses on the character of Barney Stinson and his representation of these concepts within the context of the television show "How I Met Your Mother."
- Quote paper
- Anna Winkelmann (Author), 2011, Barney Stinson - A hero for every American Bachelor, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/207152
