I will examine three movies which certainly changed the public and common image of Texas. In my term paper I will pursue the following questions: Which different views and pictures of Texas are explained in the three films? How are these images transmitted? Which images are found in all three movies, are there different or even conflicting images in the movies? Do the different images connect with historical changes, or just with the different, artistic perspectives of the directors?
What does make Texas unique amongst the fifty United States? Of course, every State has its own characteristic feature. Louisiana is known for its Cajun culture, while in Florida everybody is wearing Bermuda shorts. But almost everyone seems to have some idea about Texas. When hearing the word Texas many people are thinking of: the dry and dusty desert, the hot sun and a cloudless, blue sky, blunt and backward people, lonely cowboys with their harmonica sitting near the bonfire, the Texan slang, great oil spills, or Tex-Mex fast-food, steaks, and big cars - in the Lone Star State everything seems to be bigger. But where do these partly very vague, partly very specific and appropriate views and images of Texas come from? Of course, one cannot name perfectly the sources of a general awareness. Nevertheless, great movies do have the power to change and reshape people’s views, and this surely has happened with Texas’ image.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- I) Introduction
- II) The images of Texas –as evolving from three examples
- 1. Movie 1: “Red River”
- 1.1 Content, plot, main characters
- 1.2 Texas and the Texans in “Red River”
- 2. Movie 2: “Giant”
- 2.1 Content, plot, main characters
- 2.2 Texas and the Texans in “Giant”
- 3. Movie 3: “Paris, Texas”
- 3.1 Content, plot, main characters
- 3.2 Texas and the Texans in “Paris, Texas”
- 4. Discussion
- 4.1 Different pictures of Texas in different historical, social and cultural backgrounds: Common grounds and differences found in the three movies
- 4.2 Different pictures of Texas
- 4.3 Different pictures of Texas land
- 4.4 The image of Texas as home
- 4.5 The Texans’ toughness as important part of their character
- 4.6 The importance of the soundtracks in the movies and their influence
- 5. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines how three classic Western films, "Red River", "Giant", and "Paris, Texas", contribute to the evolving image of Texas and its inhabitants. The paper analyzes the films' portrayal of Texan landscapes, characters, and their relationship to the historical context, exploring how these depictions influence viewers' understanding of Texas.
- The changing image of Texas throughout the 20th century
- The role of cinema in shaping perceptions of a particular region
- The portrayal of Texan culture and identity in film
- The impact of historical events on cinematic depictions of Texas
- The role of individual characters in representing Texan values
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introductory chapter explores the preconceived notions surrounding the image of Texas and its inhabitants, highlighting the role of cinema in shaping these perceptions. The paper sets out the objective of examining how three specific films contribute to this evolving image of Texas.
Chapter 1 focuses on "Red River", analyzing the film's portrayal of Texas as a vast, untamed land in the context of the post-Civil War era. The chapter examines the portrayal of Texan characters, their values, and their struggles to establish themselves in a harsh environment, highlighting the themes of ambition, individualism, and the importance of hard work.
Chapter 2 explores "Giant", a film set in the early to mid-20th century, examining how the changing landscape of Texas is depicted in the context of economic growth and social change. The chapter focuses on the portrayal of Texan society, its evolving values, and the complexities of relationships within a changing world.
Chapter 3 explores "Paris, Texas", a film set in the 1980s, and its portrayal of the contemporary Texan landscape and the emotional challenges faced by individuals in a rapidly changing world. The chapter analyzes the film's depiction of human relationships, personal journeys, and the struggle to find meaning in an increasingly complex world.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper focuses on the portrayal of Texas in film, examining themes such as the evolving landscape, Texan identity, individual vs. collective values, the influence of history, and the role of cinema in shaping public perception. The study analyzes three distinct films: "Red River", "Giant", and "Paris, Texas" to explore the diverse and sometimes conflicting images of Texas presented in cinema.
- Quote paper
- Sophie Emilie Beha (Author), 2015, The image of Texas evolving in film. From "Red River" to "Paris, Texas", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1435968
