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
1. Django Unchained and the goals of this paper
2. Black and White Masculinity in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained
2.1. Black and White Masculinity – An Approach of Definition
2.2. Django Freeman, the Black Superhero
2.3. Main Issues of Masculinity in the Movie
2.3.1. Violence
2.3.2. Family
2.3.3. Friendship, Love and Sexuality
2.3.4. Passivity
2.3.5. Emotionality and Honor
2.4. The Two Buddy Pairs of Django Unchained
2.4.1. Calvin Candie and Stephen as the Evil Pair
2.4.2. Dr. King Schultz and Django Freeman as the Good Pair
3. Django Unchained, Slavery and the relations to masculinity
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the portrayal of black and white masculinity in Quentin Tarantino's film "Django Unchained," analyzing how these constructs are represented through character development, interpersonal dynamics, and the broader historical context of the antebellum South.
- The construction and definition of black and white masculinity.
- The role of violence as a means of establishing masculine identity.
- The importance of family, love, and honor in the protagonists' motivations.
- The analysis of binary character relationships, defined as "Buddy Pairs."
- The transition from passivity to active agency and emancipation.
Excerpt from the Book
2.3.1. Violence
Violence plays a very important part in the movie. Forret points out that violence has always been a way for men to express their masculine identity (23-25). This is seen when black and white men in the movie act violent to achieve their goals. Right at the start of the movie when Django gets freed by Dr. King Schultz a lot of violence is shown. One part of this is violence of the white people towards the blacks who they see as inferior creatures that have to learn their place. This is why slaves were often punished and the remains of these punishments can be seen on the backs of the slaves who are freed together with Django in the opening scene.
But also black violence immediately plays a role in this scene. After Dr. King Schultz leaves with Django the remaining slaves shoot the second slaver who is lying under his horse with probably at least a broken leg already. Of course this violence of blacks is far better understandable for the viewers as they know how slaves were treated in southern parts of the United States during this period of time, which is perceived common knowledge.
Summary of Chapters
1. Django Unchained and the goals of this paper: This introductory chapter outlines the public controversy surrounding the film's depiction of slavery and sets the analytical framework for investigating masculinity, genre, and character development.
2. Black and White Masculinity in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained: This central section explores the definitions of black and white masculinity, challenging traditional stereotypes through the lens of the film's main characters and their specific behavioral attributes.
3. Django Unchained, Slavery and the relations to masculinity: The concluding chapter synthesizes the findings on masculinity, viewing the film as a unique fusion of the spaghetti western and Blaxploitation genres that forces a confrontation with the horrors of slavery.
Keywords
Django Unchained, Masculinity, Quentin Tarantino, Slavery, Black Film, Blaxploitation, Violence, Buddy Pairs, Emancipation, Antebellum South, Dr. King Schultz, Calvin Candie, Heroism, Honor, Revenge
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper explores the representation of black and white masculinity in Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained," focusing on how characters assert their identity within the harsh reality of the American antebellum South.
Which thematic fields are central to the analysis?
Key thematic fields include the intersection of violence and masculine identity, the role of family and honor, and the dichotomy between passive and active agency in enslaved characters.
What is the central research question?
The research investigates how masculinity is portrayed, redefined, and achieved by the film's main characters, and how these individual journeys relate to the institution of slavery.
Which methodology does the author employ?
The author uses a qualitative film analysis approach, integrating historical and sociological theories regarding slavery and masculinity to interpret the characters' actions and the film's narrative structure.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body examines specific masculinity issues—violence, family, sexuality, passivity, and honor—and analyzes the dynamics of two primary character sets, the "Evil Pair" (Candie and Stephen) and the "Good Pair" (Django and Schultz).
Which keywords characterize the study?
The study is characterized by terms such as masculinity, slavery, violence, emancipation, and the specific genre-bending stylistic choices of Quentin Tarantino.
How does the author define the "Buddy Pair" dynamic?
The "Buddy Pair" is defined as a contrast-driven relationship between two characters—one white, one black—that serves to propel the narrative and emphasize the ideological opposition between characters like Schultz and Django versus Candie and Stephen.
Why is the concept of "passivity" central to the character development of Django?
Passivity represents the initial state of the slave under the white-dominated system; Django’s trajectory is defined by his ability to shed this passivity, take control of his own life, and evolve into an active agent of his own freedom.
- Citar trabajo
- Maximilian Bauer (Autor), 2015, Black and White Masculinity in Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/311929
