Gangs of New York, an Example of Naturalism Essay - 839 Words

In the beginning, it seems unlikely that Gangs of New York will be an example of naturalism. Unlike To Build a Fire or Open Boat, the whole story of Gangs of New York happens in a civilized area, and nobody is in a case of danger because of the nature. Naturalism is implicit in this article. But being implicit does not mean it is ineffective. Instead, the idea of naturalism within this article is more confound than other two stories we studied before. The very first scene, a cave is hidden underneath a mission, somehow revealed the naturalist’s idea of brute within. Cave is a symbol of primitive, brute, and undeveloped. Mission is a symbol of civilized, peaceful, and developed. Another similar dramatic reminding of this idea is priest†¦show more content†¦This is proven by the canon firing. The canon hits whatever is in its way like the nature destroys whatever is in its way. Canon kills both the Dead Rabbits and Nativists. Before the indifference of the nature, fighters of both group started to help each other to get out of the filed. The most effective scene is the end of the story. Behind Vallon and Cutting’s graves, New York City evolves. As Amsterdam said, nobody is going to remember the fight between Dead Rabbit and Natives. Their story is like stories written on the beach, being washed away by the waves of history. Dead Rabbits, Nativist, Vallon, Cutting, Amsterdam, all their dreams, struggles, and ef forts will be concentrated into just a few words and written in the history book. Human can make little impact in the long history of the universe. The nature is indifferent toward Vallon and Cutting. Either group winning the war is not going to change the history. Unlike the two stories we read in class, everyone struggles for survival, the naturalism idea in the movie is represented by people’s lust and greed, the desire for dominance of pleasure. People do whatever possible to gain those things. Priest Vallon fights for the rights of immigrants. On the surface, he is a priest. But he would not mind killing someone to achieve his goal. The crucifix on the one hand is Vallon’s civilized side. But when civilized mean cannot achieve his goal, the other hand holding a knife isShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Book Last Exit On Brooklyn By Hubert Selby Jr.1295 Words   |  6 Pagesactions change your fate. Much controversy is created involving this topic, especially in a unique literary text named Last Exit to Brooklyn by Hubert Selby Jr. This novel consists of six short stories taking place in the slums of lower-class Brooklyn, New York throughout the 1950’s. This novel has aroused much controversy because of Selby’s blunt style of writing involving drugs, sex, prostitution, and violence. Many readers found the novel offensive during the time it was published because they worriedRead MoreEssay about Stephen Crane the Naturalist2093 Words   |  9 Pages Stephen Crane the Naturalist Stephen Crane (1871-1900), the naturalism, American writer. Stephen Crane was well known for his naturalist style during his time. Naturalism in literature was a philosophy used by writers to describe humans in regards to the influences and interactions within their own environments. The characters described in the naturalist literatures were usually in dire surroundings and often from the middle to lower classes. Despite their circumstances however, humans withinRead MoreWhat Are The Key Principles That Underpin Individual And Social Positivism? Essay1892 Words   |  8 Pages1996, 2000). Modern criminology with rational system of control; where the rule of law based on the belief people exercise choice. â€Å"The ethos of productivity was rejected in the age society of leisure. Mind expanding drugs, permissive sexuality, the new rock music transcendental poetry all articulated the peaceful principles of a ‘flower power’ whose opposition was committedly non-violent † (Sumner, 1994:200). As the period of 1945-1980s focused on problems of challenging power of the state, civilRead MoreAfrican American Culture in a Modern American Dominant Sociology2841 Words   |  12 Pagesattempting to strip them of their African culture. The physical isolation and societal marginalization of African slaves and later of their free progeny however facilitated the retention of significant elements of traditional culture among Africans in the New World generally, and in the U.S. in particular. Slave owners deliberately tried to repress independent political or cultural organization in order to deal with the many slave rebellions or acts of resistance that took place in the southern United States