This thesis compares several working class films such as "Brassed Off" and "Billy Elliot" with reference to the theoretical concept of national identity, ie. the British national identity.
The analysis of such a diverse cultural term like "identity" and its treatment in British working class related films will be the topic of this research paper. After having defined the term on its several levels, I want to show how identity is treated differently in, firstly, a popular film called "Brassed Off" and, secondly, an independent film produced by Amber Films called "Like Father". Both films are set in the 1990′s and deal with the problem of pit closure and unemployment of miners. Both films deal with the consequences of unemployment and poverty of the working class than with work per se. Concerning class consciousness, both films show people who wish to escape the constrictions of their class. Since identity is not only a question of class, gender roles are considered in both films as well. The motif of identity is shown very differently in these films. This thesis analyzes how these films represent the construction, the maintenance and the loss of identity.
Table of Contents
- DEFINITION
- CONSTRUCTION OF IDENTITY
- influencing power on construction.
- work in the films
- MAINTENANCE OF IDENTITY
- collective identity
- leisure in the films.
- LOSS OF IDENTITY
- Britain's identity crisis
- pit closure, unemployment, loss of prospects in the films
- SUMMARY
Objectives and Key Themes
This research paper examines the representation of "identity" within British working class films, focusing on "Brassed Off" and "Like Father" as examples. The paper will explore how identity is constructed, maintained, and lost in these films, considering factors such as class, gender, and social circumstances.
- The construction of identity within a social context
- The influence of class and gender on identity formation
- The impact of social and economic changes on working class identity
- The representation of leisure and work in relation to identity
- The role of collective identity and individual experience
Chapter Summaries
- DEFINITION: This chapter defines "identity" as a complex and multifaceted concept, exploring various theoretical perspectives, particularly those of Stuart Hall. It discusses the "post-modern subject," "enlightenment subject," and "sociological subject" as different conceptions of identity. The chapter also outlines various levels of identity, including individual, collective, national, and global identities.
- CONSTRUCTION OF IDENTITY: This chapter delves into the factors that influence identity construction. It highlights the role of social interaction, socialization, and the influence of one's environment in shaping individual identity. This section also explores the concept of "difference" as a key factor in identity formation, specifically within the context of British class society.
Keywords
This research paper focuses on key concepts such as identity, working class, British cinema, social class, gender, social interaction, social change, unemployment, pit closure, leisure, and collective identity. It examines how these concepts are reflected in the films "Brassed Off" and "Like Father," highlighting the complex interplay between individual and collective identities in a rapidly changing social context.
- Quote paper
- Maxi Kirchner (Author), 2003, How identity is reflected in British working class films, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/53056
