Boyz n the Hood

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.