bta
New Member
Posts: 11 
|
Post by bta on Feb 7, 2016 14:48:42 GMT
Snowpiercer, created by Bong Joon-ho, depicts society as a train car, with the lower class in the back and the middle and upper class in the middle and front respectively. Although the movie was created by a Korean director, the movie is still able to accurately depict our modern society with America's current class structure. The movie is essentially an extended metaphor for today's society. The main character Curtis lives in the back of the train and aspires to move to the front to improve his lively conditions. To do so, he plans a revolt with other people in the back to fight their way to the front. Through out the movie, he is able to progress through the train and reach the front. Even though his journey was not easy, he was still able to do so, showing that anyone from any class is able to press through the standard class barriers and reach a greater status in life.
|
|
|
|
Post by maxstauff on Feb 7, 2016 15:06:39 GMT
I would have to disagree. and bring up a couple of points. In the movie, the class structure, as depicted in the train car is inherently flawed. The upper class people constantly abuse and use the lower class ones, in the back of the train, for their own personal need. They stop any kind of movement up through the train, like stopping any kind of movement through the social classes. in this way, the movie depicts the American Dream as being flawed, and destroyed by the upper classes, who try to keep down the lower classes from achieving any kind of social mobility, since it would hurt the upper class's wealth and power. The American Dream of social movement is practically gone and impossible. Because it takes force to get through the train, the movie could be saying that it takes real force and determination to get through the social system.
|
|
|
|
Post by reshmabelur on Feb 7, 2016 21:24:17 GMT
Max, you bring up some interesting points. This movie sounds really interesting and contains some great symbolism! From Brian's description, however, the film seems like overcoming the upper echelon of society is analogous to raising one's status in society. I would argue that pursuing the American Dream in the past as well today requires a great deal of force and determination to attain success. Because there is unfairness and bias in society (represented by the ill-treatment of the people in the back by the people in the front) the American Dream requires immense persistence and willpower. The concept of taking advantage of the lower members of society is shown in Gatsby as well in Tom's torrid affair, abuse of George Wilson, and disdain for the people of East Egg ("new money").
|
|
bta
New Member
Posts: 11
|
Post by bta on Feb 8, 2016 11:17:23 GMT
Both of you guys bring up very good points about how class structure is inherently flawed. I would revise my initial statement since Curtis had a much harder time getting trough the first couple of train cars as he had to use a battering ram and fight off a group of masked men with axes just to get to the the "middle class section" of the car.
|
|
