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Archetypes In Gangster Films Essay

1566 Words7 Pages

The gangster film genre has long captivated audiences, showcasing the underbelly of American society through tales of crime, violence, and corruption. At the core of these films lies a complex web of ideological meaning, reflecting the cultural anxieties and aspirations of their respective eras. This paper will examine the representation of a twisted version of the American Dream, the notion that hard work and determination can lead to upward social mobility and success, in two iconic gangster media: Scarface (1932) and Narcos: Mexico (2018). Through an analysis of mise en scene and character archetypes, this study will explore how these films construct and deconstruct the myth of upward mobility in America, revealing broader cultural concerns …show more content…

The use of archetypes in gangster films is a common practice that allows the audience to identify with the characters and their motivations, often rooted in the pursuit of the American dream. The archetypes in gangster films are typically characterized by their ambition, their willingness to take risks, and their determination to succeed at all costs, embodying the ideal of the self-made man who achieves success through hard work and perseverance. In Scarface, the protagonist, Tony Camonte, represents the rags-to-riches archetype, a character who rises from poverty to wealth and power. His obsession with the American Dream drives his actions throughout the film, as he pursues wealth, power, and status in the criminal underworld of Chicago. Thomas Schatz argues in his book "The Gangster Film" that the genre is characterized by "immoral [codes of] behavior” (16) and extraordinary people, who have abandoned conventional codes of morality and often embrace a life of crime as a means of achieving success in a society that has failed them. This is exemplified in Scarface, as Montana embodies the archetype of the outlaw hero, a character who rebels against society's norms and values to achieve their

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