It Genre Texts Promote A Set Of Essay Example
It Genre Texts Promote A Set Of Essay Example

It Genre Texts Promote A Set Of Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (733 words)
  • Published: August 14, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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It appears accurate to suggest that genre texts promote values that are connected to the contexts in which they were created. However, these values cannot simply be limited to their specific contexts, as some have persisted throughout the genre.

As both genre and its audiences are constantly evolving, different values may be emphasized and new conventions added over time. However, certain values have remained present in genres such as science fiction. These values have changed over time to reflect the concerns of society at the given time period. While earlier horror films are identifiable as part of the science fiction genre, their values may differ from contemporary productions. Producers often use science fiction films as predictors or social commentaries regarding current issues. The focal point of fear has shifted from technology to natural disasters and the futur

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e of humanity, among other concerns. The changing values within a genre are reflective of changes in audience and societal attitudes over time.

As issues and trends fluctuate in society, films follow suit to reach a wider audience. Despite evolving contexts, some values presented in genre films endure. Gangster films, for instance, maintain a similar iconography with smartly-dressed suits, cigars symbolizing status and grooming as trademarks of the genre. Commonly shared values include the normalisation of violence, admiration for mobsters, aspirations for the "American Dream", and the significance of family bonds. As Don Corleone in the Godfather (1972) says; "I work my whole life - I don't apologize - to take care of my family, and I refused to be a fool, dancing on the string held by all those big shots."

During the 1970s, when The Godfather was produced, ther

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was a perceived decline in society following the "swinging sixties." This era saw a decrease in trust towards the government, religion and nuclear families. Divorce, pre-marital sex and single-parent households were on the rise. The movie portrayed a family with religious beliefs while exposing undetected criminal activity that symbolized the weakening relationship between citizens and their government. Economic recession during this time may have contributed to organized crime involvement in heroin trafficking as a means of livelihood. In contrast to contemporary gangster films, Little Caesar (1931) presented differing values.

During the making of this film, America was experiencing prohibition from 1920, making alcohol usage a taboo subject. However, the protagonist Rico used alcohol as a status symbol, highlighting his success in acquiring what he wanted - wealth and power. Despite being banned at that time, Rico managed to obtain alcohol, showcasing his rise to power. Post the end of prohibition in 1933, gangster films no longer needed to be cautious about depicting alcohol as audiences' perception towards it had altered since the lifting of prohibition.

In the movie, Rico and his friend Joe travel to Chicago to seek their fortune. Their goals differ, with Joe wanting fame and girls, hoping to become a dancer with Olga. Meanwhile, Rico joins a gang and quickly moves up in the ranks. Rico becomes increasingly paranoid that Joe will betray him and tells him not to see Olga. Rico tries to lure Joe back into a life of crime, but Joe resists and turns Rico into the police. Rico is not able to kill his former best friend, causing him to lose his power and retreat to a hostel. The police

find Rico through a newspaper article calling him a coward. Rico reacts poorly and comes out of hiding with his guns blazing, but is eventually killed by his rival. Rico dies alone and poor, while the ending scene shows a billboard featuring Joe and Olga as successful dancers.

The film follows Rico's journey as he mistakenly pursues the American Dream, creating a binary opposition with his former best friend. The underlying message emphasizes the value of hard work and discourages criminal activity, a common theme in gangster movies that portray character rise and fall. Conversely, modern children's films promote unity, good versus evil, and superheroes such as The Incredibles' superhero family and The Golden Compass' young girl on an adventure to defeat evil forces.

The two films were released when American and British forces were absent, highlighting the need for unity. The protagonists in these movies are portrayed as heroic figures representing good triumphing over evil. I believe that literary genres promote values that align with their historical context. While societal values and ideologies evolve with changing audiences, certain core values remain constant.

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