Apocalypse Now :: Stereotypes Arrogance Americans Essays

Apocalypse Now What is the stereotypical American? When one asks this question there are two general answers. An American would probably respond with characteristics such as hard working, free, and compassionate. A person from somewhere else in the world will probably have a very different answer to this question. Usually Americans can be seen as arrogant, dangerous, and hypocritical. Not a very good reputation to have, but the strangest part about it is most Americans either don’t know why people think of them this way or don’t care. For those that don’t care, ignorance will continue to be bliss, but for those who wish to know why people around the world think of them there are a few avenues they can explore. One of the most powerful is cinema. There are a number of great films that explore this subject in detail, and shed light on a perspective most Americans may not be familiar with. Two such films are Lars Von Trier’s portrait of everyday American life ca lled Dogville, and the other is Francis Ford Coppola’s war epic Apocalypse Now. Although both films are quite different, both emphasize and reinforce the negative stereotypes associated with Americans (â€Å"What the World Thinks of America†). Arrogance is the first trait generally associated with Americans. In Apocalypse Now, American arrogance is personified by the character played by Robert Duvall. Duvall’s character is the commander of a group of helicopters in Vietnam. It is explained throughout the film that Duvall’s character is invincible. He and everyone else knows that he will survive the war. With that degree of comfort Duvall stomps around Vietnam spreading freedom and killing scores of people. In his role in Apocalypse Now, Robert Duvall exemplifies the arrogant American soldier He goes around the world killing others, spreading his values, and not caring about the results. Von Trier’s film Dogville also examines stereotypical American arrogance. The first example of this comes from the character of Thomas Edison Jr. as played by Paul Bettany. Throughout the film, Bettany’s character attempts to change the beliefs and actions of the people within his town. While his struggle may be for the best, the fact that Bettany is trying to force his ideals on others is a very arrogant stance. Another example comes from the character of Grace as played by Nichole Kidman. Apocalypse Now :: Stereotypes Arrogance Americans Essays Apocalypse Now What is the stereotypical American? When one asks this question there are two general answers. An American would probably respond with characteristics such as hard working, free, and compassionate. A person from somewhere else in the world will probably have a very different answer to this question. Usually Americans can be seen as arrogant, dangerous, and hypocritical. Not a very good reputation to have, but the strangest part about it is most Americans either don’t know why people think of them this way or don’t care. For those that don’t care, ignorance will continue to be bliss, but for those who wish to know why people around the world think of them there are a few avenues they can explore. One of the most powerful is cinema. There are a number of great films that explore this subject in detail, and shed light on a perspective most Americans may not be familiar with. Two such films are Lars Von Trier’s portrait of everyday American life ca lled Dogville, and the other is Francis Ford Coppola’s war epic Apocalypse Now. Although both films are quite different, both emphasize and reinforce the negative stereotypes associated with Americans (â€Å"What the World Thinks of America†). Arrogance is the first trait generally associated with Americans. In Apocalypse Now, American arrogance is personified by the character played by Robert Duvall. Duvall’s character is the commander of a group of helicopters in Vietnam. It is explained throughout the film that Duvall’s character is invincible. He and everyone else knows that he will survive the war. With that degree of comfort Duvall stomps around Vietnam spreading freedom and killing scores of people. In his role in Apocalypse Now, Robert Duvall exemplifies the arrogant American soldier He goes around the world killing others, spreading his values, and not caring about the results. Von Trier’s film Dogville also examines stereotypical American arrogance. The first example of this comes from the character of Thomas Edison Jr. as played by Paul Bettany. Throughout the film, Bettany’s character attempts to change the beliefs and actions of the people within his town. While his struggle may be for the best, the fact that Bettany is trying to force his ideals on others is a very arrogant stance. Another example comes from the character of Grace as played by Nichole Kidman.