The id is a component of personality present from birth and makes sure that all physical needs are satisfied. The ego is responsible for dealing with reality. The superego is ones moral judgement of right and wrong. These three components are represented through a character whose name is not implied but hinted is Jack, Tyler Durden, and the society in which Jack lives in. Although Tyler Durden and Jack are one person their personalities portray them as two separate people.
The id is represented by the character Tyler Durden, the aggressive alter ego of Jack, who helps him satisfy his sexual needs . In the beginning, we see Jack in his bland, behind the desk, suit and tie type of life. In a scene where he's in the bathroom with Ikea magazines on the floor, his first obsession is presented. His need for furniture from Ikea. He is conformed to the ideas of society. What the id does, or Tyler Durden, is help him escape that idea of conformity starting by blowing up his apartment filled with Ikea furniture that Jack thinks is his reason to live. Tyler Durden, with the help of Jack, create Fight Club in order to help other men escape their daily boring lives by beating each other to a pulp.
The ego is represented by Jack, or our Narrator. When things get too out of control or are blown out of proportion because of the id, the ego is there to reason with it and try to stop it before the damage is done. For example, in a scene where Tyler Durden is driving recklessly with Jack and other members of Fight Club, aiming to crash and looking for the thrill, the ego steps in. Jack attempts to grab the wheel and reason with Tyler all while answering his absurd questions about life.
The superego is represented by the society in which Tyler Durden and Jack live in as one. The superego looks to what is right and wrong. In this case, their society is the one who is right and they are looked at as the wrong ones. They live in a world where the media internalizes itself into ones mind, for example Jacks need for Ikea furniture, and where you are meant to work and live your life like everyone else. Tyler Durden and Jack defy the expectations of society by their means of destruction, aggressiveness, and need for a thrill.
The message of this film is that one should live his or her life not to how society has planned it or how it is projected by the media but how they wish to. With all the violence incorporated in the film every few scenes, this message is overshadowed. The audience is then left with the thought of fighting, anger, and thrill rather than asking themselves if they are conformed to societies ideas or living how they truly want to. Like Roger Ebert states in his review of this film, "...a lot more people will leave this movie and get in fights than will leave it discussing Tyler Durden's moral philosophy." The meaning of the movie Fight Club is deeper than just violence and fighting but the way it is portrayed takes away the true message.
The film, "Do The Right Thing", says a lot about race and racism in America. It says that one race is always against another, as if they're competing to see who's better. For example, one of the three old guys who sits on a corner shows his frustration as to why the Chinese guy, who owns the produce store, has a business and he doesn't. He talks about how they're both immigrants who came into the country and how he lost his business that he built.
Like film reviewer, Roger Ebert stated in his review of the film, "Lee makes it possible for us to understand their feelings..." Anyone can agree with this because in the film, Spike Lee has adds a monologue scene where each character looks straight into the camera and vents.
This scene helps us understand each characters perspective as well as their feelings on whatever the situation may be. In the movie, it's obvious that one race is always against another. For instance, the scene where Buggin' Out goes to Sal's and throws a fit about how there's only Italians on the wall but no African Americans. What the monologues did was show each persons feelings towards someone or something else around them.
In the scene where Mookie throws the trash can into Sal's window, it's like he's saying he's had enough. After Radio Raheem died, it could be seen as Mookie's way of getting back at the race who has put down his for so long, or as Mookie's way of saying that even though he works for Sal, he is still his own person. That he refuses to be held down. It could be Spike Lee's way of saying that he's had enough. That in order to move on, the racism and hatred between one another needs to end.
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| Ricky, Tre, Doughboy |
In the film, Boyz n the Hood, putting on a "tough guise" means a gun in your pocket, showing no emotion, and feeling no sympathy. It also means a chance of survival.
One of the main characters in the film, nicknamed Doughboy, puts on the "tough guise" as if it's his way of showing how much he doesn't care. In reality, while it may not be the easiest thing to see, he does. For example, when Doughboy had his friends inside his mother's house, he made sure to even tell them to be careful not to sit on the uncovered part. These minor details, though vague, show a deeper level to his character.
Doughboy is the one who's been to jail, knows what the streets are like from experience, and is the one that can relate to the streets the most. In his case, putting on a "tough guise" is beneficial. If he were to go to into the streets, knowing that he can run into trouble, the gun in his pants might save him. In a neighborhood like the one that these characters live in, they have to put on a "tough guise" because showing fear can be seen as a weakness. So, in order to get anywhere or stand their ground they have to at least pretend to have some power.
Tre's father, Furious, could be seen as one of the better men. He uses wisdom rather than actions to fight his battles. When Furious takes Tre and Ricky to the neighborhood with the billboard and preaches to them and the people gathering, he shows them how the "white people" are using their resources to kill off the African American without saying a word. Liquor stores and gun stores on every corner. Furious's character goes about things mentally and tries to protect his son from the harms of the streets by teaching him the difference between right and wrong. What actions to take and the ones that he should avoid that will come with consequences. For example, after Ricky got shot, Tre was so angry that all he wanted to do was seek revenge. While in the car with Doughboy and the other boys, he comes to his senses and is reminded of his fathers words. He gets out the car and goes back home. A wise decision.
In this film, there is no lesson of what it takes to be a real man. There's only the difference between right and wrong and the ways that it is taught. Physically or mentally.
