More than ten million unauthorized immigrants live in the United States according to a report of the United States Department of Homeland Security from January 2010 (cf. Hoefer et. al.). More than six million of the unauthorized immigrants came from Mexico (ibid.).
“Unauthorized immigrants” are defined as all foreign-born non-citizens residing in the United States without permit of residence or valid visa (ibid.). They are also referred to as “illegal immigrants” or “aliens” (cf. Garcia 104). Most illegal immigrants in the United States live in families where the adults are undocumented, but the children were born in the USA and therefore legal U.S. citizens (cf. Passel).
The film “A Better Life” tells a story which is based on such a social background.
It is the story of Carlos Galindo, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, and his son Luis, who is a legal U.S. citizen, because he was born in the United States (cf. A Better Life 2011). The film was directed by Chris Weitz and published in the USA in June 2011 (cf. ibid.). The film is set in East Los Angeles, a district of the City of Los Angeles which is mainly inhabited by people of Mexican descent (cf. Garcia 82).
This term paper concentrates on the father-son relationship between Carlos and Luis Galindo and its development over the course of the film. Following this introduction, the first part of the second chapter contains the characterizations of Carlos Galindo and his son Luis. The characterizations show the core characteristics and attitudes of the two main characters.
Table of Contents
- Introduction: "A Better Life" – A Father-Son Relationship on its Specific Cultural and Social Background
- The Characters of Carlos Galindo and Luis Galindo and the Development of their Father-Son Relationship
- Characterizations
- Carlos Galindo
- Luis Galindo
- Development of the Father-Son Relationship
- Characterizations
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper aims to analyze the father-son relationship between Carlos and Luis Galindo, as depicted in the film "A Better Life," within the context of their specific cultural and social backgrounds. The analysis explores the development of their relationship throughout the film, considering the challenges and changes they both face.
- The immigrant experience in the United States
- The complexities of the father-son relationship
- The pursuit of the American Dream
- The impact of cultural identity on personal development
- The challenges of adolescence and social pressures
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: "A Better Life" – A Father-Son Relationship on its Specific Cultural and Social Background: This introduction establishes the socio-cultural context of the film "A Better Life," highlighting the significant number of unauthorized Mexican immigrants in the United States. It introduces Carlos and Luis Galindo, an illegal immigrant father and his US-born son, respectively, and frames the paper's focus on their evolving relationship. The introduction also provides essential background information on the film itself and its setting in East Los Angeles.
The Characters of Carlos Galindo and Luis Galindo and the Development of their Father-Son Relationship: This chapter delves into the characterizations of Carlos and Luis, exploring their individual personalities and motivations. Carlos's status as an undocumented immigrant, his pursuit of the American Dream, and his connection to Mexican culture are examined. Luis's experiences as a teenager navigating school, peer pressure, and family issues are also explored, highlighting the complexities of his adolescence. The chapter further analyzes the dynamic between father and son, tracing the evolution of their relationship throughout the film and how their individual experiences shape their bond.
Keywords
Father-son relationship, immigration, American Dream, Mexican-American culture, undocumented immigrants, adolescence, cultural identity, social pressures, East Los Angeles.
Frequently Asked Questions: "A Better Life" - A Father-Son Relationship Analysis
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This term paper analyzes the father-son relationship between Carlos and Luis Galindo, as depicted in the film "A Better Life," within their specific cultural and social context. It explores the development of their relationship, considering the challenges and changes they both face.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes, including the immigrant experience in the United States, the complexities of the father-son relationship, the pursuit of the American Dream, the impact of cultural identity on personal development, and the challenges of adolescence and social pressures.
What aspects of Carlos and Luis Galindo's characters are analyzed?
The paper delves into the characterizations of both Carlos and Luis, examining their individual personalities and motivations. Carlos's status as an undocumented immigrant, his pursuit of the American Dream, and his connection to Mexican culture are analyzed. Luis's experiences as a teenager navigating school, peer pressure, and family issues are also explored.
How is the development of the father-son relationship examined?
The paper traces the evolution of Carlos and Luis's relationship throughout the film, analyzing how their individual experiences shape their bond. The dynamic between father and son is carefully examined.
What is the socio-cultural context established in the paper?
The introduction establishes the socio-cultural context of the film "A Better Life," highlighting the significant number of unauthorized Mexican immigrants in the United States. It specifically focuses on the experiences of Carlos and Luis, an illegal immigrant father and his US-born son, respectively, living in East Los Angeles.
What is the scope of the paper's analysis?
The paper provides a comprehensive analysis, including an introduction, detailed chapter summaries focusing on character development and relationship dynamics, and a conclusion. It also clearly outlines the objectives and key themes of the study.
What keywords are associated with this academic paper?
Key words associated with this paper include: Father-son relationship, immigration, American Dream, Mexican-American culture, undocumented immigrants, adolescence, cultural identity, social pressures, East Los Angeles.
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents includes an introduction, a chapter detailing the characters of Carlos and Luis Galindo and the development of their relationship (further broken down into characterizations and relationship development), and a conclusion.
- Quote paper
- Britta Küthen (Author), 2012, "A Better Life": The Father-Son relationship, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/232613
