Zombie Land Essays - Masculinity, Social Constructionism

Zombie Land Essays - Masculinity, Social Constructionism Zombie Land Dexter Smith English 011 17- April-2013 Zombie Land From the article Modern Masculinities, The author Cooper Thompson explains that men in society are expected to be physically strong, tough, independent, and have self-control over their emotions. He also believes that boys must learn to accept their vulnerability of asking for help and support in appropriate situations. Modern Masculinities relates to the movie Zombieland because it deals with masculinity in relation to zombies and staying alive. This movie challenges the stereotypes of masculinity in American culture by showing young viewers that they should not be defined by masculinity but instead define it. In the movie Zombieland, Columbus and Tallahassee have different ways of showing masculinity. One way Tallahassee shows his masculinity is through toughness. For example, in one scene, Tallahassee punches Columbus at the Native American store after Columbus considers spraying perfume at him. The way Tallahassee looks with his brown cowboy hat, black tight jacket, his blue loose pants, and a mean face shows that Tallahassee does not put up with shenanigans. Tallahassees masculinity ties with Modern Masculinities because he is more aggressive and outgoing. Cooper Thompson challenges modern masculinities with this topic. The way Columbus shows his masculinity is more cautiously. For example, from the beginning of the movie to the end, Columbus creates himself 33 rules to follow to survive in Zombieland. The way Columbus looks with his purple jacket, brown corduroy pants, and a face that looks scared shows that he is a nerdy boy. Columbus does fit with this article because he is more sen sitive when he deals with other people. Also, Columbus thinks before he takes action, and he is always asking for help when he needs it once he comes to a conflict. Cooper Thompson was challenging the stereotype of a man in the article suggesting that by instead of taking action, start asking for help and support. These two characters show different masculinities that Cooper Thompson discusses in the article. Next, the zombies change Tallahassee and Columbuss masculinity when they are being attacked by them. In the beginning of the movie, Tallahassee is an angry, violent guy with no emotion. He hides his emotions from Columbus because he does not want to show them. Towards the end, he starts to show his emotion about his son right after Columbus kills Tallahassees favorite movie star, Bill Murray. On the other hand, with Columbus, he changes from being a softy to a bad ass. For example, in the beginning of the movie, he starts to run away from the zombies because he is too scared to kill. Also, he uses his own rules to protect himself. Later on in the movie, Columbus meets a girl named Wichita. He falls in love with her, but she is very destructive. Columbus starts to turn into a bad ass when he faces his fear and goes through the haunted house at the amusement park with all the zombies running behind him. He starts shooting them and ends up risking his life to kill a husky zombie clown. At the end of the movie, Wichita and her sister Little Rock go on the drop ride at the park, and they get attacked by zombies. After Columbus recues Wichita and Little Rock, he gets a kiss from Wichita for a reward. The movie Zombieland sends a message to young men that they should not be defined by masculinity but instead defines it for himself. The characters in the movie shows their masculinity when the zombies trying to attack them. Columbuss starts himself of being a loner and provide. Later on in the movie he became more masculine when he meets Wichita the girl he likes. Tallahassee starts himself as being a tough, angry guy with no emotions. He always kept bad things to himself. Towards the end of the movie he starts to open his emotion to Columbus about his son and changes his attitude. To sum up, men should learn how to be vulnerable and have self- control. Also, men should talk with someone about their problems instead of holding their issues in and becoming disruptive. The movie Zombieland shows viewers that they do not always have to be the masculine man. They