Traditionally, man′s best friend is supposed to be a domestic animal like a cat or a dog. People are convinced that these animals can understand their feelings and can support them whenever help is needed. But most of these people would deny that such a relationship is possible to an animal like a killer whale.
During the preparation of this seminar paper I have been asking some people what first comes to their minds when thinking of a whale. In general the answers can be summarised as follows: huge, dangerous, arouses fear, frightening and belong to a time that is long ago. But none of the people I have been speaking to so far could imagine that close contact to such a big mammal is possible. The film (and the book) Free Willy I ( in German: Free Willy: Ruf der Freiheit) describe(s) that the contrary can happen. In the story, the love and affection of a boy are won over by a killer whale, a fact of course, which does not happen too often but is worth being considered.
[...]
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Plan
3. Summary
4. Animals in „Free Willy I“
4.1. Willy the whale
4.2. The seals
4.3. A comparison
5. The whale Willy and the human beings – the different attitudes and relationships
5.1. Jesse and Willy – an unusual but real friendship
5.2. Randolph, Rae and Willy
5.3. Dial, Wade and the whale – use and abuse
6. Keiko’s (Willy’s) real life
6.1. Keiko’s life until 1993
6.2. Keiko’s life after the production of “Free Willy I”
6.3. Keiko’s today’s situation – the latest news (5th of April 2002)
6.4. My opinion
7. A comparison of the posters
8. Conclusive remarks
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the depiction of the whale Willy in the motion picture "Free Willy I" and analyzes the varying human attitudes toward him, ranging from exploitation to empathetic friendship. It investigates the contrast between the film's idealized narrative and the reality of the orca Keiko, highlighting the ethical implications of using wild animals for cinematic entertainment.
- Analysis of character relationships between the whale and human figures.
- Exploration of stereotypes regarding killer whales and seals in media.
- Comparison between the film’s "happy ending" and the real-life situation of the orca Keiko.
- Critique of animal exploitation in the film industry.
- Examination of the symbolic differences in cinema posters.
Excerpt from the Book
5.1. Jesse and Willy – an unusual but real friendship
When Jesse has his first encounter with Willy he does not even know it is a whale (“What is that?”) He can just make out something huge and as he is terrified by the creature behind the observation windows, he does not dare a second glance. Only when he cleans the glass around Willy’s holding tank, he really sees the whale and is deeply impressed (“Wow!”) and looks at him, his eyes opened wide with surprise.
The boy and the whale really get to know each other when Jesse plays on his mouth organ. It seems that they get on well with each other from the first moment onwards. Very soon Willy plays with Jesse and makes tricks with him, something he has always denied his trainer. The two of them get closer and closer. Both give all they can to each other. Jesse spends all his pocket money on fishes for his friend. Moreover, he always stays with him as long as possible, that is to say as long as he is allowed to stay out. Sometimes he only gets home by night from the Aquatic Theatre.
The fact that they fit perfectly has the following reason. Jesse and Willy have very much in common: They are both separated from their loved ones, from their families. Willy is homesick. This becomes obvious when Willy sings at night and his family responds with the same sad sounds. Jesse can understand the feelings of the whale as he also misses his mother who left him alone. He still has hope to find her, but as time goes by and more and more people tell him not to have any illusions, he learns that she really doesn’t want him. And this makes him even more sad. As a consequence, both feel left alone, misunderstood, not treated nice and imprisoned.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The author introduces the topic of animal-human relationships and establishes the premise that, contrary to common fear, a deep bond between humans and killer whales is possible.
2. Plan: This section outlines the research method, focusing on a summary of the film, an analysis of character relations, and a factual comparison with the real-life situation of the orca Keiko.
3. Summary: Provides a synopsis of the plot, detailing Jesse's struggle as a foster child and his eventual friendship with Willy in the Aquatic Theatre.
4. Animals in „Free Willy I“: Introduces the roles of animals in the film, specifically focusing on the whale and the seals to contrast human stereotypes.
5. The whale Willy and the human beings – the different attitudes and relationships: Examines how various characters, including Jesse, Randolph, Rae, and the owner Dial, treat the whale based on their personal motives.
6. Keiko’s (Willy’s) real life: Contrasts the film's positive ending with the complex and often difficult reality of Keiko's life in captivity and his struggle for reintegration.
7. A comparison of the posters: Discusses the author's personal adaptation of the cinema poster to better reflect the realistic complexities of the story.
8. Conclusive remarks: Summarizes the ethical arguments against animal performance and emphasizes the need for humans to regard animals as equals rather than tools.
Keywords
Free Willy, Keiko, Orca, Animal welfare, Captivity, Film analysis, Human-animal relationship, Ethics, Cinema, Stereotypes, Marine life, Performance animals, Exploitation, Conservation, Friendship
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the depiction of the orca Willy in the film "Free Willy I," exploring how the characters interact with him and comparing these representations with the reality of his real-life counterpart, Keiko.
What are the central themes explored in the work?
Central themes include the ethical treatment of animals in captivity, the impact of human greed on nature, and the possibility of genuine cross-species friendship.
What is the main research question or goal?
The goal is to analyze the power dynamics and emotional bonds between humans and animals in the film while critiquing the exploitation of wild animals in the film industry.
Which scientific or analytical method is used?
The author uses a qualitative literary and media analysis approach, combining film study with a factual investigation into the real-life history of the whale Keiko.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers the diverse attitudes of the film's characters—ranging from the owner's monetary focus to the trainer's professional indifference and the boy's sincere love.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include "Free Willy," "Orca," "Animal Welfare," "Captivity," "Exploitation," and "Human-Animal Relationship."
How does the author view the "happy ending" of the film compared to reality?
The author argues that while the film provides an optimistic and necessary message for children, it obscures the harsh reality that the real whale Keiko suffered greatly due to the film's production and remained struggling for years.
Why does the author criticize the use of human characteristics for the whale Willy?
The author critiques this as a misrepresentation, arguing that the whale should have been portrayed within its natural social context rather than being anthropomorphized to suit human narrative tropes.
- Citation du texte
- Julia Hansens (Auteur), 2002, Free Willy I - Presentation and Treatment of a Wild Animal, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/8034
