On Golden Pond Film Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

On Golden Pond Film - Essay Example The chief protagonist’s roles are played by ace actor and actress – Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn. ‘On Golden Pond’ is based on an affectionate and loving couple who spend their twilight years with each other and the different experiences that come in the wake of their life. The film portrays the difficulties faced by this couple in old age and how despite these difficulties they maintain their dignity and respect right through the end of the film. The thing that makes the film all the more interesting is that the audience can easily relate to it and identify themselves in similar situations. The inherent sentiment in the film is greatly enhanced and reinforced through the visual metaphor of a beautiful sunset over the Golden Pond. The breathtaking beautiful natural scenery of New England highlights the concept of emotional sentiment between the elderly couple and how they interact towards each other in specific situations. ‘On the Golden Pondâ₠¬â„¢ is all about real – life relationships and personalities which is what makes it much easier for the audience to connect and relate to. The filmmaker draws from the extensively publicized problems that were faced by Henry Fonda with his son and daughter. However, the central theme of the film is all about how a college professor and his wife take the much deserved privilege of a holiday in this idyllic spot to explore â€Å"life’s inner meaning†. The main plot of the film involves contrasting male senility against female strength. Though the characters are vulnerable to their situation, yet they do not appear to be so, due to Rydell’s technique of using high angle and bird’s eye shots that helps to maintain the illusion of his characters. This technique helps the characters to integrate and adapt themselves well with their environment. Rydell’s female protagonist, Katherine is a very devoted wife who is quite a free- spirited and carefre e character who even goes singing in the woods and picking up firewood, strawberries and flowers for the home. As a female pillar of strength, she forces the audience to understand the reversal of gender roles and their consequences. On the other hand, the male protagonist Fonda is always seen bemoaning his uncertainty of life because he is faced with the fact of gradually losing his memory and the deterioration of his physical health. The conflict between the Fondas emerges quite early in the film as Henry’s mental health seems to be getting even worse. For example, he accuses the operator of having called them a classic ‘Exhibit A’ memory loss. He also looks at an old photograph of him and his wife with their child Chelsea and enquires who that child was. In Fonda, we could understand the serious consequences of retirement that manifests itself through unpleasant confrontation with his daughter and constant nagging which he uses as a recourse to be in control o f his status and situation which becomes more complex as he increases in age. He is unable to accept the reality of his situation and a feeling of uselessness creeps over him. These behaviors are exhibited by the character Norman due to aging according to his chronological age and also due to the fact he is unable to accept the fact of aging, retirement and other physical and mental disabilities that accompany it. On close observation of this character we come to understand that he is unable to come to terms with himself by accepting his infirmities and

Antebellum families and women generally(base on the book I list in Essay

Antebellum families and women generally(base on the book I list in details) - Essay Example He notes that the Celias defense questioned the role of the white man as the protector of women within southern society, analyzing the concept of male honor, a key factor of the Souths social system. It highlighted the plight of young female slaves who were sexually manipulated. The case had a major significance in that it created boundaries of slavery in Missouri. Celias story generally portrays a political and legal system that condoned rape and sexual abuse of female slaves in Antebellum families. In the 1800s, slavery became an ingrained economic and legal institution (Williamson and Cain, 1). In Antebellum families, owning slaves was prestigious, a measure of wealth. Bales notes that slaves cost around $40,000 in Antebellum at the time. Robert Newson viewed his slaves as a perfect reward for the years he had spent laboring (McLaurin, 8). Slaves were used and abused by their master, and Newton’s relations with Celia were no different. Newton raped his new slave on their trip home, an indication that he hoped to use her as a sexual tool following his wife’s death (McLaurin 18). Newton employed her as the house cook, a possible cover up of his sexual relations with Celia. She was exposed to continuous sexual exploitation by her master (McLaurin 22) who considered sexual relations with her his privilege (McLaurin 28-29). He granted her favors due to their sexual relationship. She owned her own cabin very close to the family house - a very rare occurrence in Antebe llum America. She bore two children, believed to be fathered by Newton. Slaves were regarded as insignificant. They were powerless and defenseless. Gordon-Reed (p.50) highlights the paradoxical role of sexual relations between masters and slaves, despite the stigma attached to slaves. When George, a fellow slave fell in love with Celia, he was so frustrated that he could not protect Celia from the man who owned them both (McLaurin 25). Slaves were their owners’ property. George and Celia were