Tony and Billy are presented as two vastly different characters; Tony is rebellious and violent while Billy is sensitive and struggles to fit into male stereotypes. Sequence seven of the film showcases this contrast, as Tony is seen being arrested during the miner's strike while riot police advance. The background song "London Calling" by The Clash, with its lyrics about war and battle, captures the miners' anger and frustration. In contrast, Billy is shown standing on a brick wall in an elevated position, while Tony lies on the ground being beaten by the police. This scene highlights their differing temperaments and involvement in the strike. However, Tony's mindset changes when he decides to support his brother's dreams and break free from gender stereotypes. If Billy had not pursued his aspirations, neither brother nor Jackie would have achieved their
...successes. "Fighting Spirit" is a short story told from the perspective of Blanch Elmer, an Australian Muslim struggling to convince her traditionalist mother of her love for kickboxing, a sport deemed unconventional for females.The text tells two intertwined stories of a mother and daughter who have greatly impacted each other's lives by venturing beyond their comfort zones. The first transition began with Banana's mother, who experienced culture shock when she moved to Saudi Arabia after getting married at 19. Despite the strain of adapting to an unfamiliar culture, her mother bravely "kidnapped" Banana and started a new life in Australia without her husband. The use of assonance in this sentence speeds up the tone, conveying urgency. Similarly, Bill's determination to pursue his dream of dancing allowed Tony and Cackle to enter a new world. By stepping ou
of their comfort zones, both Banana's mother and Bill opened up opportunities for themselves and underwent personal transformation. This willingness to take risks altered Banana's perception of life, as her interests could have been entirely different if she had stayed in Saudi Arabia.
Banana's passion for kickboxing challenged gender roles in Islam and societal and cultural norms for women. Growing up as a second-generation Australian, Bianca struggled to navigate her identities and assimilate both Islamic and Australian cultures. Her determination to pursue her passion led her on a self-determined journey that opened her mother's mind to new possibilities and allowed for changes in her beliefs.
Billy's love for boxing challenged traditional expectations and beliefs imposed by his father Jackie and brother Tony. Despite his lack of talent, Billy persisted with the sport, motivated by his father's approval. However, his reluctance to go to the gym and his friend Michael's comment highlighted his reservations about the sport.
In sequence two, gender stereotypes are introduced as Billy is drawn to the girls practicing ballet. The use of a close up on Billy's face captures his growing interest and his ability to find rhythm with his boxing. The sudden cut to a mid shot draws attention to social issues and the balance beam between Billy and the girls symbolizes the intangible divide between him and his aspirations due to masculine norms. However, the open door near Mrs. Wilkinson represents opportunities for change and growth in Billy's life. With her ongoing support, Billy establishes his own identity and influences change in his immediate world. In sequence nine, Billy courageously dances in front of his father, reinforcing this
transformative journey.Billy's transition into a new world is marked by the use of uplifting and grand music that highlights the significance of this moment. It is the moment when his father witnesses his talent and is willing to be labeled a 'scab' and cross the picket line to provide for Billy's dreams. This pivotal moment also drives Tony towards accepting his brother's passion. In the final scene of the movie, Jackie and Tony watch Billy's performance in Swan lake, signifying their complete transition into the new world. The scene of them walking up the escalator symbolizes the positive change that is also influenced by gender stereotypes. Like in Billy Elliot, Bianca grew up facing adverse circumstances such as her parents' divorce when she was only two and strict Islamic traditions imposed by her mother that restricted her life choices. Bianca's love for sports started young, and she always felt like 'that girl.' The use of quotation marks emphasizes Bias's alienation and society's disapproval of 'boy sports' such as soccer and basketball. Her tone challenges societal prejudices that are based on gender assumptions. Bianca finds solace in sports, just as Billy finds refuge in dancing.Bianca found solace in sports, describing her love for them as being akin to a shark's attraction to blood. This simile emphasizes her passion and immutable inclination towards kickboxing. However, like Billy, Bianca had to keep her sport hidden from her mother who disapproved of fighting. Bianca's use of high modality words such as "no matter what" highlights her mother's unwavering stance against activities deemed unsuitable for girls. While she yearned to fit in with the Lebanese culture in Sydney, Bianca also
experienced conflicting feelings. Her tone conveys a sense of dejection and pensiveness as she struggled to choose which path to dedicate her life to.
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