On the Waterfront

Caitie Morris
Enr.English 10
Mrs.Burgess
11/27/07
On the Waterfront
~~~On the Waterfront was an extremely enjoyable and influential movie. This film was incredibly entertaining because it gave its audience something to think about. Terry Malloy had to make the ultimate decision, whether to pursue justice and have his brother murdered or cover-up a murder and live with his decision. This film was also effective because it touched many different types of audiences and people. Despite its black and white colors, this film was vivid and colorful. It had moments that you wanted to laugh, cry, and dance at the same time. This movie was effective because it was relatable, vivid, and enjoyable.
~~~The literary aspects such as setting, symbols, and themes, from On the Waterfront played a large role in the movie. An example of the setting affected the film is in the outdoor scene where Terry is talking to Father Barry. The setting was harsh with dead trees and dirty snow. This unwelcoming scenery turned a normal argument into a cruel and relentless debate. Another literary aspect that affects this film is the symbols. One fairly important symbol is the music beat from the beginning to the end of the wedding dance. When the music first commenced it was simple and slow, showing Edie and Terry’s separation. As Terry and Edie spend more and more time dancing and getting to know each other, the beat gradually climbed. A third example of an influential aspect is the themes. A very important theme that arose throughout the film is do not judge a book by its cover. Edie learned this particular idea from when she first met Terry and thought of him as a worthless bum to finally beginning to fall in love with him. In conclusion, the literary features such as setting, symbols, and themes, played a bulky role in this motion picture.
~~~The dramatic aspects such as actors and costumes played an important role in On the Waterfront‘s mood and image. Important casting decisions arise when producing a movie, but when the directors chose Marlon Brando, Eva Marie Saint, and Karl Malden, they made the right choices. Marlon Brandon played the main lead of the character, Terry Malloy, very well not only because of his physical characteristics but also because of his acting style. Marlon was a perfect match when it came to his character. Terry had sad eyes that showed his caring nature, his bad boy image, and his boxer face, all added to Marlon’s acting success. But Marlon’s hot bod was not the only thing that aided his impersonation of Terry but also his acting style. Marlon would sometimes end his sentenced in a desperate or whining tone, which would Terry as being somewhat childish and uncomfortable with his actions. Another characteristic of Marlon’s acting that rubbed off on Terry’s character was his stance. Marlon would stand somewhat hunched over boxing position, which never let the audience to forget Terry’s past career. A second well selected actor was Eva Marie Saint. This actress not only portrayed her character, Edie Doyle physically but also with her acting style. Eva showed Edie to be innocent and untainted. This is shown by how Eva would talk like an innocent and untainted child with her high and questioning voice. Eva also showed Edie very well by her physique. Eva had bright blonde hair and a paler complexion; this gave the viewers a sense of holiness or purity. A third example of a well chosen actor was Karl Malden for the character of Father Barry. Karl Malden was tall; this height advantage gave the audience a sense of nobility for Father Barry compared to the workers. Karl also acted this part very well with his powerful, low voice and stance. Father Barry stood tall and straight, this showed his significance in the workers’ lives. The casting selections were not the only important dramatic aspect of On the Waterfront, the costume choosing also play a large role in the movie’s image. Some costume varieties that aided in their character’s representation was for Terry Malloy and Edie Doyle. Terry’s costume of a plaid, ragged coat was important because it showed how Terry was a low key, relatable guy. This strengthened the audience’s connection with Terry, and in turn increased their happiness at the happy ending. A second character that was influenced by her outfit was Edie Doyle. This actress wore a buttoned up covering coat. This selection showed her tightly strung personality and untrusting ways. The dramatic aspects in On the Waterfront played a huge role in the movie’s mood and image, by giving further insight.
~~~The cinematic aspects of On the Waterfront also played a huge role in the mood and image of this well known film. One cinematic aspect that greatly influenced this movie was the low shot. An example of this is when Terry Malloy is looking up at Edie Doyle on a higher ledge. This low angle gives the perception that in the eyes of Terry, Edie is an object of desire. It also gives the viewers the sense that Edie is above the “common” worker or mob, Terry, and that in turn she will have more influence. A second deeply important cinematic feature is the use of lighting. An example of this is in the pool table room scene where a spotlight shines on Johnny Friendly, the mob boss. This lighting effect shows how Johnny is more important and powerful then everyone else in the room (mob). This also shows how Johnny is in the spotlight and the public eye more often than the other mob participants. This also foreshadowed Johnny’s significantly more emotional fight scene towards Terry than the other mobsters. A third example of an influential cinematic aspect is when the bosses are looking down on the workers after they had thrown the time chips on the ground. This scene showed the evident separation between the bosses and the union workers. The fashion in which the bosses peered down upon the workers illustrates their perceptions of how they are of a higher grade and cannot be touched by the union worker’s and their issues. Theses cinematic features enhanced the film’s overall mood and image.
~~~Arthur Miller’s All My Sons is very similar to On the Waterfront when it comes to their ethical dilemmas. The protagonist, Joe Keller and Terry Malloy both had to make the ultimate decision between their families or the truth. But the way in which theses important characters reacted was anything but similar. Joe Keller chose his family, instead of saving the lives of twenty-one pilots. But Terry Malloy, he chose the truth. Instead of saving himself or his brother from murder, he opted to confess to the court about all the mob affairs. Fact is, Terry Malloy was later seen as a hero to the union workers, while Joe Keller was seen as a murder. It seems as though the harder the decision, the more praise is received. Arthur Miller’s All My Sons is very similar to On the Waterfront when it comes to their ethical dilemmas.
~~~I would definitely recommend this film. This video is vivid, even through its black and white pixels, and relatable. The characters are very relatable with their down to earth and middle case personalities. This film also has a little bit of everything for everyone. It has mob bosses for the dads, the hot boy with a nice body for the girls, a love romance story for the moms, and guns for the boys! This setting is also very relatable for all Minnesotans with the chilly weather and cold scenery. This movie is a must see because it is overall extremely entertaining and fun to watch.

Hero: Post A : #4

Vocab:
**Dais (156) =a raised platform (as in a hall or large room)
**Espionage (185) = the practice of spying or using spies to obtain information about the plans and activities especially of a foreign government or a competing company

Analysis:
---“bleeps” (184)This an instance of an onomatopoeia because when you pronounce this word, you produce the exact definition.
---“The cheers echoed in my ears, and it wasn’t like the goofy cheerleader squeals of a basketball game.”(190) This is an example of a metaphor, because it uses like. Thom compares the screams of the heroes during capture the flag, to the cheers of the silly cheerleaders during a basketball game.
---“I went to plunge the pole into the holder, Beowulf delivering the final blow to Grendel, and swung down with all my might.”(191) This is an example of a simile because Thom compares his actions to a famous fight without using like or as.

Quote:
“This was different, these were the heroes I’d grown up admiring my whole life, and they were cheering my name.”(190) This is an important quote because it shows Thom’s admiration of the League heroes and how successful Thom has become. This quote shows how accomplished Thom is because it shows how he is now working along side with his heroes. This also shows how much Thom looks up to the league, and praises them.

Hero: Post B : #3

Thom, the main character, is at the moment trying out for the League. Thom has an obsessive personality and at the moment is in awe of Uberman, one of his try-out evaluators. His obsession is muscle, well doing, and handsome superhero; what more could a gay teenage boy want! “I wanted to bump into Uberman in the hallway and have him whisk me away to the moon or Mars or somewhere far away, where he could point out different galaxies he’d been to. “(117)Thom at this section is not admitting his sex preference and is keeping a lot of secrets from his desperate father. Thom at first arriving at the league center had to fill out a bunch of paper and proceeded to a fitness test. After the fitness test, Thom was sent to the board room for an interview in front of half the league. During this interview, Thom was questioned intensely. For the last question, Warrior Woman asked, Why Thom was there? Thom then responded, “I don’t know exactly how I’m going make the world better yet, but I know I’m going to try.”(117)I thought it was interesting how Thom was this determined and sure of himself. Thom in all the other aspects of the storyline showed little to no confidence or willpower. It showed me for the first time that maybe when Thom sets his mind to something, he will pursue and strive for until there’s nothing more that can be done.

Hero: Post A : #3

Vocab:
Adversaries(101)- one that contends with, opposes, or resists
Pantheon(140)- one that contends with, opposes, or resists

Analysis:
***“One guy chatted away, a little too loudly if you ask me, to what sounded like a broker on his cell phone.”(102) This is an example of a metaphor, because Thom compares the way a hero try-out candidate talks on his phone like the loudness of a broker.
***“She sopped reading the magazine and looked straight ahead, like maybe a mosquito was buzzing in her ear.”(104) This is also an instance of a metaphor because Thom is again comparing another candidate. Thom compares Scarlette’s abrupt reading stop to as if a mosquito was bugging her.
***“Psst.”(105) This is obviously an example of onomatopoeia. This is true because when you pronounce this word, you produce the exact definition.

Quote:
“Why can’t I keep my locker upstairs with you guys?” "Look, Kevin, Justice was very clear. This way it needs to be for now.”(150) This quote is significant because it pushes into a new theme and it shows the tendencies of the League. This quote shows how the League takes every action of its heroes very seriously. So when Kevin, Golden Boy, made a mistake in Thom’s discovery mission, he was immediately demoted. This caption also shows a theme that even small mistakes can have enormous consequences.

Theme:
An emerging theme is that even small mistakes can have enormous consequences.

Hero: Post B: #2 !

Dear Perry Moore,
First of all I have to say I LOVE your book! Hero is beyond addicting and increasing thought provoking. I thought it was interesting how you picked an “underdog” as your main character. Thom is shy, smart, and dependent; any unusual characteristics for a so called superhero. Right now I am at the point where Thom has just visited the funeral, and has just left for his nerve wreaking league tryouts! I thought it was interesting at the funeral with justice and dad, holding up three then two fingers. This was a very powerful section and showed their grief for their ancestor. I also loved Thom’s description of Golden Boy after the bus incident. “I wanted to knock that Golden shithead onto his golden ass.”(80) I thought this was interesting because Thom usually glorifies the league. But just this one member, Thom seems to already dislike. Another aspect of your book Hero that I liked was of Thom’s powers. You never just left your readers to think that his powers are limited. It seems as thought you are foreshadowing a new power change in the future. This story line seems so lifelike that I kind of have to wonder if this is just a futuristic look on your or a friend’s childhood. It seems as thought you always pity Thom and his situation. I look forward to finishing your novel, and hope to read of his developing powers! ! ! !
Sincerely,
C M : ] !

Hero: Post A : #2!

Vocab:
***Lariat(57)= long light rope (as of hemp or leather) used with a running noose to catch livestock
***Elated(59)=marked by high spirits

Analysis:
---“Screeeech!”(62)-This is an example of onomatopoeia because when “screeeeching”, you make this noise while you are verbalizing from a text.
---“two villains flew up into the air, attached to the bus like a kid’s balloon that had been tied there after a carnival.”(69)This is an example of a metaphor in Hero. This is a metaphor because the author is comparing two villains attached to a bus like two balloons after a carnival, while using like.
---“plink”(73)- This is an example of onomatopoeia because while you read this word out loud you will be making the noise that it implies.

Quote:
“My mother had been a hero. All these years, and I had no idea…Is this where my powers came from?”(57) This quote is definitely important in Hero because of two reasons. One reason is that throughout his whole life, he had not know what his mom had done with her life before he was born. This also explains to Thom how his parents met and feel in love. A second importance to this quote is that up to that point Thom could not connect his current life to his estranged mother. But now with this new discovery, he has many things in common with her and is able to question his relationship with her.

Theme:
The emerging theme from Hero is that even though many may disapprove of your actions, you can better learn from your own mistakes.

Hero: Post A: #1

Vocab=
Bicuspid(2)-having or ending in two points
Unfurl(1)-to release from a furled state

Analysis=
**“dead bolt”(11) This is just one example of personification in Hero by Perry Moore, because a bolt obviously cannot be dead.
**“cheerful books”(14)This is anther example of personification in Hero by Perry Moore.
** “swish”(24)This is an example of an onomatopoeia in Hero, this is true because the word “swish” means exactly the noise you make when you say this particular word.

Quote=
“Even if Dad had ever possessed superpowers, invulnerability wouldn’t have protected him from the shame.”(2) This quote is significant not only because it shows the first glimpse at Thom’s dad’s past but also that all “superheroes” have weaknesses. At this point we only know that dad although is not part of the league anymore, his past has not escaped him. This also showed the readers that Thom’s father did not have superpowers unlike the rest of the “league”.

Theme=
The main theme that seems to be emerging is that not everyone, even superheroes, have flaws.

Hero: Post B: #1

Dear Thom,
First of all I think it is amazing that you can tutor, have a job, and play basketball. As I kept reading along I realized more vividly that you were special. Not only because you are possibly a superhero and your past, but also because of your emotions. Your past experiences seemed to have shaped your world today, for better and for worst. From when your mother left you, you became less trust and distant. From when your father made a so called big mistake, you began to pity and care for him and his situation, even though many isolated you for it. "I must have really been a hero that night, because it was the first time anyone at school had invited my dad anywhere."(25) During your opening basketball game I thought it was interesting how the whole time you were not fully just thinking about the game but also your father’s well being. Even though you were a superstar at your game after you did that mysterious thing to one opponents’ broken leg, your team kept their distance. Another fact that I thought to be odd, is when your father totally ignored you when the other team called you a faggot. Your feelings around this fact seem to be a bit touchy, and have a sense that you have not already come out as being gay. A final fact that was incredibly interesting is when you talked about your father’s hands. You described one as normal and strong, but the other to be demolished and hidden. But at the same time I got a sense that his ruined hand was somewhat of a key to his somewhat dreaded past.
Thanks Thom,
I hope to read a lot more about you!
CM