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.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 How I met your mother – The TV show and its popularity
3 Barney as a hero for all American bachelors
4 Father complex
5 Sexuality in America
6 The impact of success on masculinity and identity
7 The American dream in How I Met Your Mother
8 Conclusion
9 Bibliography
A Book references
B Internet sources
C Film material
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the character of Barney Stinson from the television series "How I Met Your Mother" to explore his role as a cultural icon for the modern American bachelor. It analyzes how his behavior, relationships, and success reflect broader societal themes such as identity, masculinity, the American Dream, and shifting sexual attitudes.
- The influence of the "American Dream" on modern masculinity and career expectations.
- Psychological perspectives on father complexes and their impact on character development.
- The evolution of sexuality and social taboos in contemporary American media.
- The role of success, wealth, and status in shaping personal identity and social recognition.
- Media representation of idealized lifestyles versus social reality.
Excerpt from the Book
3 Barney as a hero for all American bachelors
The character of Barney Stinson is an idol for all unmarried American men. He stands for values, which symbolize the American dream. His appearance mesmerizes the male part of a nation. A man in a suit, who shows his sexuality openly, ensnares women, earns a lot of money and has friends who support him in every situation. He represents the perfect image of the emancipated male American. He stands for self confidence and prosperity, but also for “strange trends” ( Lowry 2005).
Barney Stinson undergoes a social process throughout the story. In the beginning he is only presented as the confident, serene and good-looking young man. He does never show if he is nervous and he creates his own rules (cf. Kuhn The Bro Code 2008, Kuhn The Playbook 2010). Barney’s personal issues define the center of his life and no other person except for his mother can be part of it. When meeting his friends he still tries to imitate the confident person, but nevertheless, in their presence he sometimes shows the character traits he normally wants to hide.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter defines the concept of the hero and establishes the framework for analyzing Barney Stinson as a cultural archetype.
2 How I met your mother – The TV show and its popularity: This section provides an overview of the show's premise and characters, emphasizing their typical American traits and social dynamics.
3 Barney as a hero for all American bachelors: This chapter explores how Barney embodies the "American Dream" through his success, confidence, and rejection of traditional relationship structures.
4 Father complex: This chapter analyzes Barney's lack of a paternal figure and how his search for a father, along with his mother-bound nature, informs his vulnerable personality.
5 Sexuality in America: This section discusses the changing attitudes toward sexuality in the US and how Barney’s provocative behavior challenges conservative societal norms.
6 The impact of success on masculinity and identity: This chapter examines the psychological appeal of Barney's corporate success and how it serves as an aspirational model for the audience.
7 The American dream in How I Met Your Mother: This chapter connects the values depicted in the show, such as independence and patriotism, to the historical roots of the American identity.
8 Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the arguments to conclude that Barney functions not as a hero in a traditional sense, but as a "social revolutioner."
9 Bibliography: Provides a comprehensive list of books, internet sources, and film materials cited in the paper.
Keywords
Barney Stinson, How I Met Your Mother, American Dream, Masculinity, Identity, Sexuality, Father complex, Television, Pop culture, Social revolutioner, Bachelor, Gender roles, Psychology, Success, Patriotism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this paper?
The paper focuses on the character Barney Stinson from the TV show "How I Met Your Mother" and his significance as an influential figure for American bachelors.
What are the core thematic areas?
The work examines identity construction, the American Dream, the evolution of sexual discourse, and the psychological impacts of father-child relationships.
What is the central research question?
The research explores whether Barney Stinson can be considered a hero and what his character reveals about contemporary American societal ideals.
Which methodologies are employed in the study?
The author uses a socio-psychological analysis of the character, drawing on external studies regarding role models, the American Dream, and Freud’s Oedipus complex.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the show's cultural popularity, Barney's behavioral traits, his psychological development, his role in the sexual discourse, and his relation to American values.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Barney Stinson, American Dream, identity, masculinity, sexuality, father complex, and social revolutioner.
How does the absence of a father shape Barney's character according to the author?
The author suggests that Barney's father complex contributes to his search for male identity, his attachment to his mother, and his tendency to hide vulnerability behind a facade of success.
Why does the author label Barney as a "social revolutioner"?
The label is applied because Barney's open embrace of sexuality and rejection of old-fashioned relationship structures disrupts traditional societal taboos in the American television landscape.
- Quote paper
- Anna Winkelmann (Author), 2011, Barney Stinson - A hero for every American Bachelor, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/207152
