What we did was wrong. I still have the glasses but couldn’t grow a mullet, even if I wanted to, except on my back. Bender is the only one who stands up to Vernon. However, the movie attempts to show that there is more to this stereotype of the criminal than most people realize, providing Bender with a back story of an abusive home life and a father who believes he is worthless. Then, of course, there is Allison. Thus, people assume that he is a bad person. The Breakfast Club attempts to comment on these stereotypes by exaggerating them and attempting to portray the “deeper” side to each character. -Mia 6. The movie makes no effort to truly combat her characterization as mentally ill, but instead perpetuates it. Additionally, the stigma surrounding mental illness that was widely present in society then and is still prominent in the world today, was given no concrete solution. It came about long before “Not Another Teen Movie” and “Mean Girls.” Set in a small town in Illinois, this movie follows the story of a brain, Brian, an athlete, Andrew, a basket-case, Allison, a princess, Claire, and a criminal, Bender. The worrisome part is that since this movie came out in 1985, the story has become a staple in our society; most people know the story of. They were definitely … Personality." This question is not just unique to these students in this high school, but this is a question all high school students attempt to figure out by the time they enter college or join the work force. Zane State College Alexandria L. McVicker Next, John Bender embodies the stereotype of the criminal. The Breakfast Club turns 30 this week and I now look like the guy who ate Judd Nelson. This essay will explain the cultural values it expresses, stereotypes and examine three out of the five students. Claire wears diamond earrings, is a participant in Student Council, has many friends, and conforms to fit in with those friends. However, mental illness does not simply go away like that; it is a lifelong struggle that people who suffer from mental illness must deal with each day. This … A stereotype is defined as “a generalized (sometimes accurate but often overgeneralized) belief about a group of people” (Myers 664). On the surface, this is a movie about the breakdown of stereotypes and breaking of molds that we use to define those around us. But the movie also tries to show that Andy breaks his stereotype in the way that he treats Allison and becomes vulnerable during the “confession circle.” Finally, there is Allison, who is stereotyped as the crazy, mentally-ill person. There cannot be a movie about high school stereotypes without portraying a “popular girl,” and. How does the director emphasise subculture through the use of stereotypes? The number of times that Claire fails to stand up for herself, and Andy or Bender feel responsible to come to her rescue is frustrating. He is subject to domestic abuse by his father and is a drug user, storing marijuana in his locker. 3. In many ways, Andy fits the stereotype of the dumb jock who uses his status to bully other people (he is in detention for taping someone’s balls together) and repeatedly uses force to get what he wants. It is simple and easy to understand; it presents an engaging and relatable story. L'histoire, concentrée en une journée, se focalise sur la rencontre et les interactions de cinq lycéens envoyés en retenue pour des raisons variées. They are being watched by the principle, Mr. Vernon, which tries to keep the control of the situation. Recently Changed Pages . What do you care? He consistently talks down to the students and forcefully flaunts his authority throughout the film. Andrew Clark was the stereotypical athlete. He is the kid in high school who does not come to school or follow the rules. Games Movies TV Video. presents a bunch of stereotypes, but then shows the characters breaking these stereotypes and moving against the grain of society. Claire and Allison are both virgins in the movie, and they are both afraid of what their classmates may think of them for being virgins. The movie does not actually portray the characters breaking the stereotypes they represent; instead it ingrains these stereotypes deeper into the characters’ personalities, making it so that there is no escaping these stereotypes. He is smart and participates in the stereotypical ‘nerd’ clubs: “the math club, the Latin club, and the physics club.” He has been confined to this stereotype not only by those around him at school, but by his parents. Because of their differences, the beginning of the movie is chaotic, but during time, they start to understand and, The Rhyme Of The Ancient Mariner And Frankenstein Analysis, Effects Of Individualism In Harrison Bergeron, The Importance Of Globalization In The World. Allison’s scream in response to what Claire says about her parents, the cinematography, the way Allison is dressed, her makeup, and her movements portray her as animal-like. It does this by portraying distinct stereotypes, varying from the so-called “princess” all the way to the so-called “criminal.” At the start of the film, each member in the group is completely different and separate. I was thoroughly intrigued by each of the characters and fell in love with the story. Claire wears diamond earrings, is a participant in Student Council, has many friends, and conforms to fit in with those friends. Throughout the day, they explore their stereotypical characteristics as they try to understand their own unique identities. validates this view of women and provides no solution to the problem that half the world’s population is seen as less than the other half. To answer this question, we must first determine what the stereotypes this movie is presenting actually are. Popular girls are often seen as lacking substance and being privileged, but the movie attempts to break this stereotype by making Claire more self-aware and showing that she dislikes the pressure she feels from those around her to act a certain way: “I hate having to go along with everything my friends say!” The popular girl is always accompanied by the athlete, who in this movie is a wrestler named Andy. Foodematography. In The Breakfast Club, perception of students based on stereotypes leads to biased expectations, isolation, and peer pressure, Characters And Stereotypes In The Movie Breakfast Club, The movie “Breakfast club” directed by John Hughes talks about five high school teenagers who are in detention together. Are we buying into its defeatist attitude and the stereotypes it presents? This movie is a dramatic comedy that will make someone laugh, cry, and angry all brought, The Breakfast Club is considered a classic movie from the 1980’s. Identity has much to do with the environment that we are raised, which can sometimes be difficult to escape from. The Breakfast Club is a timeless movie centered around the very relevant concept of discovering your identity and breaking away from stereotypes. L'histoire, concentrée en une journée, se focalise sur la rencontre et les interactions de cinq lycéens envoyés en retenue pour des raisons variées. You see us as a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, The Breakfast Club They were definitely considered an out-group, which is a group of people that don’t identify with one another. Ivy Tech Community College The problem is subtle because this is not exactly what the movie is doing. He struggles to hold back his tears and his voice is raspy and quiet. All … – Kiana 4. As an awkward preteen, her kooky behavior and dark eyeliner were basically a mirror of my own unravelling outsider personality. However, in reality, even though the movie purports to break down these stereotypes, it simply reinforces them. attempts to comment on these stereotypes by exaggerating them and attempting to portray the “deeper” side to each character. Their detention is a result of myriad violations. Claire has none of her own agency and does not work to obtain any. However, the stereotypes and the falling in love are non-sequiturs; just because the opposites fall in love, does not imply that the stereotypes were broken. But the movie also tries to show that Andy breaks his stereotype in the way that he treats Allison and becomes vulnerable during the “confession circle.” Finally, there is Allison, who is stereotyped as the crazy, mentally-ill person. The clearest instances in which the movie does this are seen in the characters of Andy, Claire, and Allison. On the surface, this is a movie about the breakdown of stereotypes and breaking of molds that we use to define those around us. Each time this occurs, viewers subconsciously root this idea of women as weak deeper in their minds. These stereotypes are the most dangerous that. The problem is subtle because this is not exactly what the movie is doing. Each time this occurs, viewers subconsciously root this idea of women as weak deeper in their minds. This becomes a main theme in the movie The Breakfast Club. It does this by portraying distinct stereotypes, varying from the so-called “princess” all the way to the so-called “criminal.” At the start of the film, each member in the group is completely different and separate. It helps to start broadly here, and realize that the surface level stereotyping that the movie does is most clear in the examples it presents of the classic high school students. For example, he pinned Bender to the floor while he was defending Claire. The primary purpose of The Breakfast Club is to inform youth, Stereotypes in The Breakfast Club Some may bring up the end of the movie, stating that the opposites falling in love (Bender and Claire, Andy and Allison) is a breaking of stereotypes. I was thoroughly intrigued by each of the characters and fell in love with the story. Then there is Claire, who also fails to have her stereotype broken, with her “shallowness” being reinforced throughout the movie: her talent is putting on lipstick using her boobs; her major act of kindness is giving Allison a makeover; her last action in the movie is giving Bender her diamond earring. Arguably the most iconic movie of all time, The Breakfast Club features five distinct teenagers; The Criminal – John Bender, The Athlete – Andrew Clarke, The Princess – Claire Standish, The Basket Case – Allison Reynolds, and The Brain – Brian Johnson. According to the movie, the mentally ill should be forever condemned to be seen as subhuman. The worrisome part is that since this movie came out in 1985, the story has become a staple in our society; most people know the story of The Breakfast Club and view it with an endearing attitude. He is wild and thrives on his rebellious attitude. Throughout the first half of the movie, Allison barely talks, only making a few grunting noises here and there. Perhaps John Hughes' 1985 classic The Breakfast Club can help us out. We (the viewers) buy into the stereotypes presented by the movie and the breaking of these stereotypes by the characters; but in fact, this is all a lie. In the iconic film, The Breakfast Club, five random high school students must spend their Saturday together in detention. A group of high school students attend Saturday morning detention. Nice Guy: The nicest character in the entire film - notably, he's the only character in the film who's nice to the janitor. The story tries to break this stereotype by having Allison open up to the other characters, fall in love with the athlete, and be given her a makeover. Rayin, Janis. presents because they are not as obviously presented as the previous ones discussed, and their implications are just as serious, if not more so. The movie reinforces the stereotypes often applied to women, and trivializes the discrimination that women and outcasts of society face. He is the kid in high school who does not come to school or follow the rules. Claire has none of her own agency and does not work to obtain any. Just from this image of the main characters, specific stereotypes are already visibly shown through the way they dress, sit, and possibly, their expressions. It is about a group of 5 defiant high school students who are all forced to spend their Saturday in detention. The music is calm, soothing and sad. Other factors which It will provide, essay specific, definitions to further explain various points, as well as, a brief summary of the movie. This movie is a stretch of the basic high school detention, but can also be relatable. The movie accepts the stereotypes it presents with a defeatist attitude, resigning itself and its viewers to the fact that stereotypes are an inherent part of our society. In John Hughes’s famous film The Breakfast Club, a group of teengaers, depicting specific stereotypes, receive punishment by spending a Saturday in detention. explains stereotypes and societal standards. Despite my love of this movie, there has always been something that I felt was off about it and I could never really place my finger on just what it was. However, The Breakfast Club written by John Hughes made teens everywhere relate to at least one of these characters. In many ways, Andy fits the stereotype of the dumb jock who uses his status to bully other people (he is in detention for taping someone’s balls together) and repeatedly uses force to get what he wants. The five main characters include Claire (Molly Ringwald) the princess, Brian (Anthony Michael Hall) the brain, Andrew (Emilio Estevez) the jock, Allison (Ally Sheedy) the weirdo, and John Bender (Judd Nelson) the criminal, John Hughes’s The Breakfast Club, Released on March 24, 1984. In film and literature, what is the difference between an archetype and a stereotype? Exploring and breaking down one of the most iconic movies from the 80s, it’s more than just a humorous movie about five teens in detention. I first was doing stereotypes, but my teacher kept hinting at me to do archetypes (I have no idea why), and I just recently found out that there is actually a difference between archetypes and stereotypes, which means I was basically doing my essay all wrong for about a week. The Breakfast Club Wiki. When Brian asks Claire if the five of them will all be friends on Monday, Claire responds honestly saying, “I don’t think so.”. Identity is something that many young people struggle to find, including each of the five members of the beloved Breakfast Club. However, once we get to know her better in the movie, we realise that she has problems too. Summary. The first stereotype it enforces is the one that portrays women as weak beings needing the protection of men. In the first scene of the movie, Brian’s mom places pressure on him to “use the time to [his] advantage” and study as much as he can. Thus, The Breakfast Club validates this view of women and provides no solution to the problem that half the world’s population is seen as less than the other half. He goes to Shermer High School in Shermer, Illinois. The stereotypes are not broken, but trivialized and further ingrained. Then there is Claire, who also fails to have her stereotype broken, with her “shallowness” being reinforced throughout the movie: her talent is putting on lipstick using her boobs; her major act of kindness is giving Allison a makeover; her last action in the movie is giving Bender her diamond earring. Taking a serious look at the issues of teenagers, the whole truth (as Andre suggested being a way of battling stereotypes) can be considered as given in The Breakfast Club. Women are weak; women need men; women are pure and their value lies in their virginity; these are the statements that we accept when we watch this movie. It would be a travesty if after all this talk about stereotypes, I did not discuss the gender stereotypes that this movie presents. I am sure that most of you have seen the iconic movie The Breakfast Club. But then, as the movie’s end came, she was transformed into a princess with her headband and plucked eyebrows. This classic movie exemplifies group dynamic in society. High school is possibly the hardest four years of a teenager’s life. In this way, his mother is forcing a stereotype onto him, in a way that leaves Brian with no freedom to figure out who he actually is. This being The Breakfast Club, he gets put through hell for it. Noah Lane The stereotypes are not broken, but trivialized and further ingrained. This film obtains major sociological value, and can be analyzed in many different ways. 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