This analysis takes an in-depth look at Barry Jenkins's film "Moonlight," celebrated for its portrayal of black masculinities and same-sex love. The study aims to explore both the unique intersection of masculinity, blackness, and sexuality, as well as the stereotypical depictions found within the film, following the protagonist Chiron's development across different stages of life.
"Moonlight" offers a compelling exploration of black masculinity by tracing the life of Chiron, an African American boy from Miami's poorer suburbs. Set in the 1980s at the onset of the Crack epidemic in the US, the film divides Chiron's life into three chapters: childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. In each stage, Chiron grapples with themes of masculinity, sexuality, and love, influenced by his mother, surrogate family, and school peers. Theoretical approaches and works by scholars like bell hooks and Trevor B. Milton aid in defining and analyzing the subject of black masculinity, highlighting both stereotypical and redefined versions of black masculinity.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Black Masculinity: Definitions and Origins
- Black Male Stereotypes & Redefining Black Masculinity
- Intersection of Black Masculinity and Homosexuality
- Little
- Chiron
- Black
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper delves into the complexities of black masculinity and homosexuality as depicted in Barry Jenkins's movie Moonlight. The paper aims to analyze how various perceptions of black masculinity shape the ambiguous expressions of masculinity, sexuality, and love throughout the protagonist's life, focusing on his experiences with homosexuality.
- Defining and analyzing black masculinity within the context of social constructionism and its historical influences.
- Exploring the impact of black male stereotypes on the portrayal of black masculinity in film and society.
- Examining how the intersection of black masculinity and homosexuality challenges conventional norms and stereotypes.
- Analyzing how the film portrays the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and the challenges he faces as a queer black man.
- Investigating the influence of the environment, family dynamics, and peer relationships on the protagonist's development and understanding of masculinity and sexuality.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the paper, introducing the significance of Moonlight and its portrayal of black masculinity and same-sex love. It highlights the film's intersectionality and challenges to traditional stereotypes of black men in film. The chapter also introduces the structure of the analysis, which follows the three stages of the protagonist's life depicted in the film: childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
- Black Masculinity: Definition and Origins: This chapter provides a theoretical foundation for understanding black masculinity, drawing on current conceptualizations from psychology and social constructionism. It discusses how black men's experiences are shaped by historical and societal factors, particularly racism and slavery, leading to the development of specific masculinity norms.
- Black Male Stereotypes & Redefining Black Masculinity: This chapter explores the pervasive stereotypes surrounding black men, focusing on their historical roots and lasting impact. It discusses how stereotypes have negatively impacted the portrayal of black masculinity in media and society, leading to harmful perceptions and biases.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This term paper focuses on the intersectionality of black masculinity, homosexuality, and film representation. Key concepts include social constructionism, black male stereotypes, hypermasculinity, coming-of-age narratives, and the influence of environment and family dynamics on individual development. The analysis draws from key researchers and theorists such as bell hooks, Trevor B. Milton, Bryant K. Alexander, and Jessica Walter.
- Quote paper
- Ilka Stein (Author), 2022, Black Masculinity and Homosexuality in "Moonlight" by Barry Jenkins, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1380690
