What is the basic conflict in this story? The basic conflict in this story is racism. Racism is a very complicated issue and very difficult to talk about. In this movie, two gangs of people hate and fight against each other just because of their different skin colors. However, entering deeper, there are actually a lot of reasons behind, especially during the tradition period of society change. All the people are repositioning and navigating themselves to different destination. Taking Derek's family for example, they used to live a peaceful and stable life. But with more and more black people entering their community, they started to feel uncomfortable because things were getting complicated. His father's job was under challenge by some black colleagues, their neighbourhood became unsafe, their Caucasian privilege gradually waned. Instead of adapting themselves to the new changes, they blamed all the things to black people, without any self-criticism or self-improvement. The death of Derek's father even pushed his emotions to extreme.
So in my opinion, there's another basic conflict: the extremism and rationalism. Most characters in the movie stand for extremism, represented by "Derek before prison", including Danny, his father, his Nazi gang, Seth, girl friend etc. There are still some sane people such as Principle Sweeneny,Teacher Murray and Davina etc. trying to make some sense.
extremism rationalism
What does Derek learn in prison?At the beginning, Derek stood in White line without any doubt. But later on he started to realized that the white guys were running some dirty business in jail, and not every black guy was an evil. He was gradually moved and influenced by his co-worker, so he decided to open mind a little bit and place himself in the middle area. But the white group wouldn't let that happen. As a punishment, they raped him and tortured him. That made Derek totally collapsed. Citing his own word, " I am done with it!". So he finally opened his heart to Sweeneny by accepting his books and help. In the last 6 months in prison, he got protection from his black friend, and finally realized that he shouldn't judge or treat people by their skin colors.
Is the ending Derek's final step toward redemption or a U-turn back into his previous life?That's a question mark and also a cruel test for him. I am sure of one thing that he can not totally turn back to nazism again considering all the costs he and his family had paid. However, can he immediately get his head up and move on in a sensible way? I don't really know, as it will definitely take a lot of time and efforts. Danny was the most important person to him, and Danny's death is such a big strike to what he believes now. But I hope Sweeneny and his own family will be there to support him pass through the difficult time. There's a saying in Chinese that " If you keep revenge everytime you're hurt, that will be en endless vicious circle and no one can win eventually.
This is a great movie that evokes a lot of resonance and thoughts from me. Racism and discrimination is a long-time controversial topic in American history. In nowadays, although it's definitely defined "political incorrect", it still exists in some way. But America is a migrant country, and the essential spirits of migration create a lot of great features for this country and make it continuously energetic and vibrant. The topic of the movie is meaningful and profound. But for this complicated issue, I feel the movie is a little bit short.
I am totally into the first half of the movie, as the story is told in a intensive and logic method although the time frame came back and forth. But I somehow feel the latter half is a bit rush, and I hope and playwright explained more details about what Derek went through in the jar to contend against his behaviors in the first half. The change of Danny is too sudden for me. I understand he was greatly influenced by his brother...but how can an individual people change in mind without doubt in just one night? I think more comprehensive outline of Danny should be revealed.
I like the ending although I do feel sorry for poor Danny, this kind of serious story shouldn't come with a happy ending. I can see the thoughts and intentions of playwright and movie director. Last but not least, all the actors and actresses are soooooo great!
Teacher's note: Another author also wrote that the Chino-Prison back story felt a little rushed. I felt that this segment filled in the details with subtext, enough to cover the bases of Derek's transformation. for example, Dr. Sweeney gave Derek some books to read, and Derek read them. What did the books say? It's easy for me to imagine that they contributed to Derek's transformation in a positive way. Thanks for a great post.
--mike
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