This paper discusses Quentin Tarantino's 2013 movie "Django Unchained" under the aspect of black and white masculinity. It looks at stereotypical ideas of masculinity of white slave holders ans black slaves and how they are represented in the movie. Also the main characters are discussed as to their differences in masculinity and how they express it.
"Django Unchained", a movie directed by Quentin Tarantino, was released in December 2012 and won several prices. The film was discussed a lot in public mostly because of the issue of slavery the director is dealing with in the movie and about how he does it. The film had to endure many critical reviews, bad ones and good ones obviously, as many people thought of the depiction of violence as fitting considered the brutality towards slaves in the antebellum south, others thought it to be extremely exaggerated. Also the controversial use of the N-word, as named in literature and interviews, was a major part of the public discussion about '"Django Unchained". Ultimately it is the viewer himself who has to decide if in his opinion Tarantino uses the right words and pictures to get even with the institution of slavery and the relationship between white farmers and black slaves.
Table of Contents
- Django Unchained and the goals of this paper
- Black and White Masculinity in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained.
- Black and White Masculinity - An Approach of Definition.
- Django Freeman, the Black Superhero.......
- Main Issues of Masculinity in the Movie ......
- Violence
- Family
- Passivity
- Friendship, Love and Sexuality.
- Emotionality and Honor.
- The Two Buddy Pairs of Django Unchained.
- Calvin Candie and Stephen as the Evil Pair...
- Dr. King Schultz and Django Freeman as the Good Pair
- Django Unchained, Slavery and the relations to masculinity.
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper explores the portrayal of masculinity, both black and white, in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. It examines the movie's portrayal of masculinity in comparison to other works of film and literature, analyzes the standout masculine characters and their approaches to achieving masculinity, and delves into the dynamics of the two buddy pairs within the film. Additionally, it discusses the genre of the movie and its impact on the characters and the overall theme. The paper aims to provide a deeper understanding of the film's message and its portrayal of the complex relationship between race, violence, and masculinity in the context of antebellum slavery.
- The portrayal of black and white masculinity in the context of 19th-century slavery
- The influence of Blaxploitation films on the representation of Black Masculinity
- The dynamics of mentor-disciple relationships within the film
- The use of violence as a tool to achieve masculinity
- The interplay of various genres in Tarantino's film, including spaghetti western, black film, and love story
Chapter Summaries
- Django Unchained and the goals of this paper: This chapter introduces Django Unchained and its context, highlighting the public discussions surrounding the movie, particularly its portrayal of slavery and violence. It outlines the paper's objective to explore the movie's representation of masculinity, both black and white, through a close analysis of the characters and their relationships.
- Black and White Masculinity in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained.: This chapter sets the stage for understanding the movie's depiction of masculinity by exploring the historical and cinematic context of Black and White Masculinity. It delves into how Tarantino subverts traditional stereotypes and presents a unique vision of these masculinities. The chapter also introduces the genre of the film, highlighting how Tarantino's use of a Spaghetti Western framework, with a black hero, creates a unique cinematic experience.
- Black and White Masculinity - An Approach of Definition.: This chapter provides a nuanced definition of Black and White Masculinity, arguing that Tarantino presents his own interpretation, moving beyond traditional stereotypes. It discusses the historical representation of African Americans in film, emphasizing the evolution from the "Uncle Tom" archetype to the emergence of the Black Superhero in Blaxploitation films. It also highlights how Tarantino's approach to White Masculinity challenges conventional notions of the gentlemanly hero.
- Django Freeman, the Black Superhero: This chapter dives into the character of Django and explores his unique portrayal as a Black Superhero. It examines how Django embodies a new kind of Black Masculinity, one that challenges the expectations of the time. It also analyzes the film's genre blending, arguing that Django Unchained defies categorization, incorporating elements of Western, Black film, love story, and violent splatter film. The chapter emphasizes how Django embodies a complex blend of themes, including heroism, revenge, and love, all within the backdrop of slavery.
- Main Issues of Masculinity in the Movie: This chapter delves into the key themes of masculinity in the film, exploring how they are manifested through various characters and their actions. The chapter explores concepts like violence, family, passivity, sexuality, and emotionality. It examines how these issues are intertwined with the realities of slavery and how characters navigate them to assert their masculinity.
Keywords
The key concepts explored in this paper include Black Masculinity, White Masculinity, Blaxploitation films, Spaghetti Western, violence, slavery, revenge, heroism, mentorship, genre blending, and character analysis.
- Quote paper
- Maximilian Bauer (Author), 2015, Black and White Masculinity in Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/311929
