Apocalypse Now :: Stereotypes Arrogance Americans Essays

Apocalypse in a flash What is the stereotypical American? When one asks this question there are dickens general answers. An American would probably respond with voiceistics such as hard working, free, and compassionate. A person from somewhere else in the world will probably learn a rattling different answer to this question. normally Americans can be seen as arrogant, dangerous, and hypocritical. Not a very good reputation to have, but the strangest partitioning about it is most Americans either dont know why people think of them this way or dont care. For those that dont care, ignorance will continue to be bliss, but for those who offer to know why people roughly the world think of them there are a fewer avenues they can explore. One of the most powerful is cinema. there are a number of great films that explore this subject in detail, and shed light on a perspective most Americans may non be familiar with. Two such films are Lars Von essayers portrait of ever yday American life called Dogville, and the other is Francis Ford Coppolas struggle epic Apocalypse Now. Although both films are quite different, both emphasize and reinforce the negative stereotypes associated with Americans (What the humanity Thinks of America).Arrogance is the first trait primarily associated with Americans. In Apocalypse Now, American arrogance is personified by the character played by Robert Duvall. Duvalls character is the commander of a group of helicopters in Vietnam. It is explained end-to-end the film that Duvalls character is invincible. He and everyone else knows that he will survive the war. With that degree of comfort Duvall stomps around Vietnam spreading freedom and cleanup spot scores of people. In his role in Apocalypse Now, Robert Duvall exemplifies the arrogant American soldier He goes around the world killing others, spreading his values, and not caring about the results. Von Triers film Dogville also examines stereotypical American arroga nce. The first example of this comes from the character of Thomas Edison jr. as played by Paul Bettany. end-to-end the film, Bettanys character attempts to change the beliefs and actions of the people within his town. While his struggle may be for the best, the fact that Bettany is trying to force his ideals on others is a very arrogant stance. Another example comes from the character of Grace as played by Nichole Kidman.Apocalypse Now Stereotypes Arrogance Americans EssaysApocalypse Now What is the stereotypical American? When one asks this question there are two general answers. An American would probably respond with characteristics such as hard working, free, and compassionate. A person from somewhere else in the world will probably have a very different answer to this question. Usually Americans can be seen as arrogant, dangerous, and hypocritical. Not a very good reputation to have, but the strangest part about it is most Americans either dont know why people think of them this way or dont care. For those that dont care, ignorance will continue to be bliss, but for those who wish to know why people around the world think of them there are a few avenues they can explore. One of the most powerful is cinema. There are a number of great films that explore this subject in detail, and shed light on a perspective most Americans may not be familiar with. Two such films are Lars Von Triers portrait of everyday American life called Dogville, and the other is Francis Ford Coppolas war epic Apocalypse Now. Although both films are quite different, both emphasize and reinforce the negative stereotypes associated with Americans (What the World Thinks of America).Arrogance is the first trait generally associated with Americans. In Apocalypse Now, American arrogance is personified by the character played by Robert Duvall. Duvalls character is the commander of a group of helicopters in Vietnam. It is explained throughout the film that Duvalls character i s invincible. He and everyone else knows that he will survive the war. With that degree of comfort Duvall stomps around Vietnam spreading freedom and killing scores of people. In his role in Apocalypse Now, Robert Duvall exemplifies the arrogant American soldier He goes around the world killing others, spreading his values, and not caring about the results. Von Triers film Dogville also examines stereotypical American arrogance. The first example of this comes from the character of Thomas Edison Jr. as played by Paul Bettany. Throughout the film, Bettanys character attempts to change the beliefs and actions of the people within his town. While his struggle may be for the best, the fact that Bettany is trying to force his ideals on others is a very arrogant stance. Another example comes from the character of Grace as played by Nichole Kidman.