Gran Torino Essay

Gran Torino Essay
Starter text response: Gran Torino
'Gran Torino' is a film full of symbols of hope and redemption. Discuss.
In his film 'Gran Torino', Clint Eastwood tells the story of an unlikely relationship between Korean
War veteran Walt Kowalski and his Hmong neighbours Thao and Sue. The film explores the
possibility of redemption, "second chances", and the hope that comes from having a positive future.
Both Walt and Thao experience redemption in the film. Walt is saved from the guilt of murder and
broken relationships. Ultimately, Walt finds "peace" with himself, with others and with God. Walt's
young neighbour Thao is rescued from a future of crime and violence, and the shame of attempted
theft. Ultimately, Thao gains a future as a...show more content...
For example, Kennedy the construction supervisor asks Walt when he can have "the keys" to his
Gran Torino, and looks down on Thao for getting a lift. Without a car, Thao is dependent and still a
boy. When Walt lends him the Gran Torino to take Youa on a date, he is giving Thao independence
and the possibility of a girlfriend. Furthermore, the Gran Torino represents being a genuine American
man. Walt built the car when he worked for Ford, and despises the "Jap–burners" that his son Mitch
drives around in and sells. Likewise, Spider (an 'anti–citizen') drives a white Honda in every scene
he appears in, except the last one. When Walt leaves the Gran Torino to Thao in his will, he is
giving him more than a car. He is giving him a reward for work, a source of prestige, independence,
and an American identity. The closing scene of the film shows Thao driving the car down an
esplanade, a young man with a future, and hope.
To Walt, the reason he got his medal of valour wasn't for a good reason. It was because he shot a
Korean. After the war, Walts was left broken and scarred and especially after Dorothys death, Walt
had many issues he needed to solve. Fr suggested he should do a confession and that it would help
to heal him. You never really hear about the medal much but at the end of the film when Walt does
a confession, even though it wasn't the confession Fr was expecting, Walt has been healed. He sees
what he has to do to serve and
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Gran Torino
"Ever notice how you come across somebody once in a while you shouldn't have fucked with?
That's me." (Walt Kowalski, Gran Torino, 2008) After watching the movie Gran Torino, I
certainly can agree with Walt's perspective on himself. Gran Torino was produced in the year of
2008, written by Nick Schenk and directed by Clint Eastwood. In this particular movie we see the
cause and effects of several social issues, how through socialization these social issues can be
resolved and perspectives can be altered. Previously watching this movie I believed most individuals
values were set in stone from experiences learned through the journey of life. However, I now
believe that anyone can change their beliefs, forming new attitudes, setting new values...show more
content...
This also demonstrates the next social issues of ageism.
Ageism is the stereotyping and or discrimination against any individual because of their age, old or
young. The gang believed in the stereotype of the elderly to be weak, fragile alone, an easy target.
They engaged with behavior of violence and harassment. Walt looks like he is ready to explode with
anger on his birthday when his son and daughter in–law suggest that he move into an assisted living
home, saying "with mom gone" and "a lot to keep up and clean." Along with the gift of a rather
large phone with wide touch buttons imply his age is affecting him and he is unable to properly
care for himself, despite the fact that he has yet to physically or mentally show that his age has any
affect on his abilities to properly care for himself. They too showed acts of ageism against Walt and
he in return stood against ageism.
Thao's own family, his cousin Spider, is the gang's leader and is determined to recruit Thao into
their world and turn him into a real man. He believes Sue is feminizing Thao by having him do
'women's' work like gardening and dishes. Research shows children with absent fathers are most
vulnerable and problematic children leading them in search of a 'father' figure.
(http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2574839
/absent_fathers_and_the_effects_on_children.html?cat=25) We can see how the gang seeks out Thao

Stereotypes In Gran Torino
In the United States, the number of Asian Americans has been increasingly growing over the past
decade ("The Facts on Immigration Today," par. 32). However, as Benshoff and Griffin explain in
their book America on Film, Asian Americans' position in the media products of the early 21st
century continues to be marginalised (138) and thus it creates differences based on race. Indeed, in
the film Gran Torino, Walt Kowalski, a Korean War veteran, is firmly bound to the prejudices that he
has towards the Asian American Hmong community that now lives in his once white
neighbourhood. The prejudices that Walt Kowalski has are "heavily dependent upon social,
ideological and historical concepts" (Benshoff and Griffin 47) and thus they seem to undermine the
Asian Americans by putting them in a different position from the white Americans. Therefore,
through the analysis of technical codes, of dialogues and of actions in the narrative, this essay will
argue that in the film Gran Torino, Asian Americans are portrayed as an inferior race in comparison
to white Americans.
First of all, in the film Gran Torino,...show more content...
It is important to note that although according to Monica Chiu "the film certainly promotes Hmong
Americans' inclusion into national identity" (ix), Asian Americans in the film Gran Torino are still
marginalised as the "foreign neighbours" (Chiu x) in comparison to white Americans. Namely, this
conception is current in Gran Torino as Asian American Hmong are designated as an inferior. The
film thus clearly shows that some progress has been made from the stereotype of "the yellow face"
(Benshoff and Griffin 123) that characterised classic Hollywood movies; however the consideration
that mainstream cinema has of the Asian Americans remains still discussible and

Gran Torino : Cultural Conflict And Redemption
Cheryl Evans
Carol Hayes
Interpersonal Communication
11 June 2017
Gran Torino Analysis– A Reflection on Cultural Conflict and Redemption The 2008 movie "Gran
Torino" starring Clint Eastwood is filled with an abundance of cultural diversity, which is met with
much resistance, stereotype, and prejudice by the movies' main character, Walt Kowalski. Walt's
world is changing; his Detroit neighborhood is decaying, his relationship with his sons is distant,
and his Korean War memories continue to destroy his ability to fully enjoy life. Through an unlikely
bond with the Hmong children next door, Walt finally receives redemption by coming face–to–face
with the same destructive prejudices consuming neighborhood teenage gang members...show more
content...
Language is cultural, but it is not always defined entirely by ethnicity or race. The impact of one's
own generation, family histories, society, and values impacts the culture of language. "Even when
people speak the same language, there can be differences in communication style and language use"
(Martin & Nakayama, 2011, p. 150). One can assume that Walt's racial, prejudiced, and stereotyped
view of the world reflects his generation, his military career and involvement in the Korean War, and
his factory environment at the Ford plant. His culture of language, albeit offensive, creates a cultural
divide within his own family. Though he and his family speak the same language, their inability to
communicate inter–culturally creates dysfunction, as shown in the scene "Unhappy Birthday."
Walt's oldest son and his wife bring birthday gifts for Walt they think are thoughtful and will make
Walt's life "easier." Entirely out of touch with Walt and his goals and values, the gifts and retirement
home suggestions are rejected, as is their presence. "No one can say we didn't try" (Eastwood, 2008),
but the audience knows better. Had they been more perceptive years ago about Walt's
communication/language culture, their presence would have been the best gift

Gran Torino Character Analysis
One of the main things that intrigued me in Gran Torino (Eastwood, 2008) was the culture of the
Hmong males. It surprised me was when Sue stated "Hmong girls fit in better here. The girls go to
college and the boys go to jail." (Eastwood, 2008). I was not aware that there were gangs and high
crime rates in the Hmong culture. I am interested to learn about the Hmong way of life and to try to
discover why Hmong males are prone to decreased success and gang activity. Another thing that
intrigued me was formed around when Thoa did not want to be in the gang and strived to be
different than his peers. His reluctance to join the gang was portrayed as unacceptable by his cousin
and other gang members. It seems there may be some oppression in...show more content...
He has a blatant attitude of superiority and does not hold back when using racial slurs. Watching
this behavior deeply bothered me. Like Walt, I have heard may people say things like they
wished a certain group of people would go back to their own country or learn to speak English.
Many scenarios flashed in my head when I have heard other medical professionals speak this way
as well. I then began to reflect on my own behavior. Although, I do not feel like I am better than
anyone, my thoughts at times say otherwise. I began recounting several times when I have taken
care of patients that did not speak English, and I, at times, have been internally annoyed that we
could not communicate effectively. Other times, I've thought to myself that patient's health
practices are bizarre. Although I have never said anything out loud to anyone, I wonder if they
could sense that I was uncomfortable or frustrated? I truly hope they did not notice. I think that
maybe we feel less threatened by what we are used to, and seeing people of speak in different
languages, practice other religions, and have unique health practices can make us uncomfortable at
times. I think that by gaining knowledge and becoming culturally competent can lessen
uncomfortable feelings and I desire to do for this so I can take better care of my patients.
1.Cultural Awareness: What did you learn about your own personal values and/or cultural beliefs
as you read about those of others? Give two examples. In the example of the hijab, you might
think about what values you hold in terms of gender roles or the role of women. What do you
believe is the role for women in your own family? What does dress express to you about those roles?
Please double line space your

Gran Torino Sociology
Dr. Avila English 104 Composition and Research 10 July 2015 Title Gran Torino is a 1999 film
directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, a movie that demonstrates racism and gender
stereotyping and reaching across cultural barriers that can be overcome with understanding. The
masculine protagonist know as Walt Kowalski is decorated Polish Korean War Vet who carries
the burden of things he did in war, which will affect him for the rest of life. He is portrayed as
bitter, grumpy racist old man, who seems to hate everyone and everything around him. He is a
retired auto worker at Ford, where he help manufactured his prize possession a 1972 Gran Torino.
The Gran Torino is a reminder happier times in the past working at the manufacturing...show more
content...
His patriotism and experience in the Koran War leads to his racist demeanor toward the Hmong
community. Hmong people are an ethnic group from Vietnam, China and Laos, who were
persecuted and allowed to settle in the United States for aiding the Americans during Vietnam War.
For an immigrant Hmong teenager in Detroit, Michigan, life becomes harder because of the tough
circumstances that surround this minority group. The article Growing up Hmong in Detroit shows
one of the difficulties Hmong face: "Dropouts, too, are common. When Lor started at Osborn in
2003, there was about 700 students in her class. Now there are 200" (Chou). Without protection
and encouragement of the community. The Hmong people are less likely to purse higher
education, which could lead to an increase in income and that would produce better neighborhoods
for the Hmong to grow in. The Hmong family shows us how difficult it can be for new immigrants
to overcome cultural and racial stereotypes and take full part in the society they have come to at the
same time persevering their own cultural. In a poor neighborhoods gang culture can be a substitute
for the wider sense of identity which comes from belonging to and sharing the values of society at
large, especially when you feel your own cultural is

Gran Torino
Introduction Gran Torino is a film filled with conflict; there are age related conflicts, cultural
conflicts, religious conflicts and value based conflicts. These conflicts continuously erupt in a
working class Michigan neighborhood, which is dominated by immigrants. Walt Kowalski, a
Polish American, is the main character who is a retired Korean War veteran and Ford automobile
assembly line worker who has just lost his wife. He is a very embittered man haunted by memories
of his past. Walt lives with his dog Daisy in the Michigan neighborhood that was once dominated by
whites and the majority of people now are Asians. This change creates conflict between Walt and his
next–door neighbors that are a Hmong family. Walt views his own relatives...show more content...
As nurses, it is important to be aware of the patient's culture to form a trusting relationship with
them. Once a person trusts you, they will feel comfortable and be able to take your word in
treating them. In the movie, cultural differences and language were barriers, which may be a
common experience as a nurse, however the nursing social contract states, "The relationship
between the nurse and patient occurs within the context of the values and beliefs of the patient
and nurse" (The Nursing's Social, 2010). The film also showed me that one's spirit is a large part
of their health, and as a health care provider I cannot just look at healing one's body. This follows
along with the ANA Social Policy that, "Humans manifest an essential unity of mind, body and
spirit." Also those patients are coming in with their own experiences and cultural ways and as a
nurse I need to adapt to these. Which fits with the ANA Social Policy that states, "Human experience
is contextually and culturally defined." All of these points are important to pay attention to so you
can develop a strong trusting relationship with the patient. Making them feel comfortable and you
knowing about them as well as their culture is key in successful

Gran Torino: Challenging Stereotypes Essay
The film Gran Torino directed by Client Eastwood challenges The issues of stereotypes through the
attributes of contemporary assumptions of status, gender and ethnicity. Exploring the themes of
absence of a male dominate figure, enabling protagonist Theo to be a feminine figure exploits the
idea of gender portrays the Hmong men to be stereotyped.Ethnicity and status also express multiple
meanings through the cinematography and the Hollywood narrative style illustrates many
representation of the western and eastern cultures These key terms gender, ethnicity and status all
intertwine with each other during the entire film. The Hmong culture have been stereotyped by the
western culture concerning that the American way is the only way which...show more content...
Theo is washing the dishes; he is controlled by his mother, sister and grandmother. He has no
dominance what so ever, as Walt watches Theo be the feminine figure. The theme here illustrates
this sГ©ance as a lack of male dominance. Alternatively also there is an enormous concentration
on the male gender and the female characters are shadowed. Ultimately Sue, Theo's mother and
grand mother and all Hmong women are represented to be immobilized and have no abilities to
speak for themselves. We see this throughout the film as Theo's mother feels the need to have Walt
as a protector and understand that Theo will repay for his mistakes of trying to steal his ran torn.
the audience experience the lack of English by sue translating her mothers word to English to
wards Walt, this illustrates how the female figure exploits the idea of incapability . This is also
shown in how Sue is framed against h three young African American "thugs" who harasses Sue and
white ' useless' boyfriend who had the inaptly to protect Sue from the 'thugs.' The editing of this
sequence cuts to a mid shot of Kowalski driving by and encounters with the 'thugs' overpowering
them with his gun. Kowalski become the heroic white American man, exposes that he has power not
over the 'thugs' but also over Sue. Kowalski dominance proves this implication of dominance while
he lectures Sue to avoid dangerous situations and the men she should be dating. The racial dynamics

Gran Torino
Gina Lawence English 306 Gran Torino (final draft) In the Eye of the Beholder The film Gran
Torino allows Clint Eastwood directs and plays a role that depicts an older man dealing with lost
love, life and death, hauntings from the past, and managing his own racial biases. All of these
obstacles come to a harsh reality with the changes taken place in his mid–western home town.
Eastwood plays the widower, Walt Kowalski, who is highly racist and prejudice. His character
was a former Korean War veteran and Ford factory worker that believes all things should be kept
American, especially his neighborhood. With his cynical mind set on the world, each day slowly
becomes darker and darker for him as more and more Hmongs and other mixed races...show more
content...
Walt may not see the Hmongs as being American but they are just as American as he is. They too
were born and raised in America, and their ancestors at one point migrated across the sea too to
start a new life, just as Walt's ancestors did. With this scene the American flag has the opportunity
to be viewed in a manner that most people don't usually see. America is a great country, but we
were initially founded upon lies and distrust. Theft, violence, and murder happen in America,
America is not the picture perfect nation that it tries to lead people to believe. Car thefts happen
all the time in the land of the free, it does not matter who you are, where you live, or what you
have accomplished in life, you are a target just as anyone else is. Just as the scene depicts, people
take from one another to try to surpass their selves along. Walt sees it as a unworthy person who
lives in America stealing from him, rather than a fellow American citizen. As Thao and Walt's
relationship flourish, the representation and meaning of the flag changes as well. After Walt saved
Thao from the Hmong gang, the family of Sue and Thao present Walt with gifts of appreciation. At
first Walt is extremely angered by their gestures and throws it away. But after some time, and after
he goes to the family party the flag is present when Walt is mowing his lawn and the Hmong's are
bringing more gifts. At this point in the movie, Walt has had an official growth and

GRAN TORINO
'Identify critical moments in the film Gran Torino where Walt Kowalski is transformed from a racist
tormented character to a compassionate father figure.'
Gran Torino is a film directed by Clint Eastwood, with Eastwood also taking on the key role as main
character and protagonist. Eastwood plays a retired auto worker and Korean War veteran who feels
emptiness in his life. His character is happiest on his home porch, beer in hand, dog his only ally, his
lawn immaculate, despising the many Asian, Latino and black families in his neighborhood. But the
redemption of such a character is critical to the storyline as Walt becomes a reluctant hero, standing
up to gang members who have totally unsettled his lifestyle; an attempted theft of his prized
possession, a 1972 Gran Torino, sets Walt on a mission to rectify things for himself and his Hmong
neighbors. Eastwood uses symbolism and cinemograph techniques to exemplify the theme of
redemption. The most notable moment when Walt becomes a father figure, is when he confronts the
gang at their house, just after sue was raped and beaten.
The film explores the possibility of redemption, "second chances", and the hope that comes from
having a positive future. Both Walt and Thao experience redemption in the film. Walt is saved from
the guilt of a murderous past as a soldier and the disappointment of broken relationships within his
own immediate family. Ultimately, Walt finds "peace" with himself, with others and with God.
Walt's young neighbour, Thao is rescued from a future ofcrime and violence, and the shame of
attempted theft. Ultimately, Thao gains a future as a hard–working, respectable American citizen
and man. It is evident from the beginning of the movie that Walt has a hard–line attitude towards the
church, which is partly because of the pain and torment he experienced from Korea. Walt exhibits
strong racial slurs as he had strong racial prejudices, also mainly because of the 50's style of
thinking he has and likewise from the time in Korea, as this is how they talked to them. It is
symbolic as he still thought and spoke like that back after the war, showing the audience that he is
still at war, not with the Koreans, but with himself.
Two

Grand Torino Essay
Grand Torino Analysis
Cultural Diversity Through Interpersonal Communication
Margaret Heinsohn
Florida International University
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to study the interpersonal communication taking place in a cultured shocked
neighborhood. The findings of these studies are applied to the film Grand Torino. In addition, this
study will discuss the communication styles applied by the characters of the movie. I believe they
are essential to understanding the reasons why in general individuals are racists, stereotypical and
unable to adapt to different cultures as well as living with those who are different to us. We will first
examine how Walt's character adapts to the cultural...show more content...
As a consequence, he avoided the Hmong family. He even expressed distaste for them to their face,
not wanting to learn about them or their culture. After much conflict, Walt was presented with the
opportunity to help his neighbors and to open his mind to adapting to the inevitable cultural diversity
in his town.
The Hmong are very persistent and they relentlessly invited him to a party, coincidentally on his
birthday. Walt finally accepts the invitation to the family barbeque which was the first step to
creating a friendship with someone not of his kind. There he learned many things about the Hmong
people's customs, beliefs, traditions and communication style. He learned that you do not pat
Hmong people or their children on the head ever because they believe the soul dwells there.
Looking someone in the eye was considered rude; that is why everyone looked down instead of
looking Walt directly in the eye. Another example of the Hmong communication style is when an
elder from their family offers to "read him". The elder tells Walt that his main problem is that he
has no peace within and that is the reason he can't find peace with others. There is a meaning to this;
the shaman ritual of the Hmong tribe does not only represent a calling from ancestors but a ritual to
show their fear towards the outside world.
One scene that accurately shows Walt's communication style is

Symbolism in Gran Torino Essay
Like most good movies, Gran Torino contains a lot of symbolism throughout its story. Some
symbols are obvious and some are easily missed if a person isn't looking for them. Among the
various symbols there are three that deserve extra recognition. They truly help to tell the story and
fall perfectly in line with the movie's underlying themes of life, relationships, and death. The first and
most obvious is the Gran Torino, the car itself, representing the theme of life; the second is the
refrigerator that Walt is moving out of his basement, less obvious but representative of a real turning
point in the relationship between Walt and Thao, enhancing the theme of relationships; the third
symbol, tying in with the theme of death, is the...show more content...
Finally, at the end of the movie when Walt wills the vehicle to Thao, the Gran Torino comes to
represent Walt himself. Thao will likely never be able to drive that car without thinking of Walt
and everything the man did for him. The scene involving the refrigerator may be short, but it
carries a lot of power in explaining the evolution of the relationship between Walt and Thao. Their
initial association was forced and not welcomed by either side. As Walt watched Thao complete all
of the neighborhood chores that he assigned, his attitude toward the boy slowly started to soften.
Walt offers to sell the fridge to Thao for $25 as opposed to the $60 he was planning to advertise.
This is the point where it becomes evident that Walt actually views Thao as a friend. This scene also
shows that Walt's "man training" is working. The personal transition that Thao is making is evident
when he takes a stand and argues with Walt, insisting to lift the heavier top side when he helps Walt
move the refrigerator out of the basement. It's amazing how much a kitchen appliance can contribute
to the story. The final symbol lasts no more than a few seconds but carries an immense meaning with
it. In the final conflict with the gang, the viewers expect to see a heroic gun battle with Walt
eliminating the entire gang. Instead what they observe is Walt managing to draw the fire of all of
the gang members with no intent of ever fighting back. After being

Gran Torino Essay
Karl Marx was a German Philosopher who helps to provide clarification regarding several major
and subtle conflicts throughout Gran Torino. Marx's work separates members of society into two
classes known as the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat. The Bourgeoisie refers to the "owners" who
own the means of production and the Proletariat refers to the "workers" or labor for the product or
good. Marx also explained the idea of Capitalism and how the Bourgeoisie constantly exploit the
Proletariat. This might be one of the earlier examples of how far back inequality started and yet
still remains in full force today. Workers who do not own the means of production are forced to
work for the business who often pay the minimal wage thus leaving the Proletariat...show more
content...
Marx states that groups and individuals work together by conflict rather than working together in
an agreement for the greater good. Walt's vehicle is a prize possession of his and is the title of the
movie, Walt has constant conflict with his neighboring Asian counterparts, and the movie even
displays the neighborhood gang to drive Hondas. Thus aiding and even bigger difference between
the two groups, Walt being a hardworking, union automaker, and his neighbors, a broad example
of global capitalism and the out sourcing of resources. In a scene with Sue, Thoas supportive sister,
she informs Walt that her community sided with Americans during the Vietnam War, but they were
abandoned when the war ended. Walt begins to realize here both groups were equally exploited by
a capitalist society in support of American imperialists. Marx's idea that conflict can be used as an
agent for change is alive and well in Gran Torino. Throughout the entirety of the film we see Walt's
feelings and attitudes towards neighbors he once despised morph into an open minded acceptance of
another culture and later Walt becomes an expense for the greater good of the

Gran Torino Thesis Statement
A Place Where Anyone Can Succeed? I.Introduction (Intro of topic): In today's day and age it
would be very difficult to find someone who has not heard of the American dream. Although
most people have heard of the American dream, if you were to ask a couple people what the
phrase means to them, there would probably be very different responses. With all the various
interpretations of the American dream out there, it has probably become somewhat difficult to
truly understand the meaning behind the phrase. However, no film better portrays what the
American dream is than Gran Torino. Thesis: In Gran Torino, it is shown that no matter the race
or gender, anyone can be happy and successful in America, as long as they are willing to travel
down a potentially hard road and put in the work. I.(2) Sometimes on the path of achieving the
American dream it can be easy to forget what the American dream truly is, and make the mistake
of believing that wealth is what being successful truly means 1.Walt, Thao, and both of their
families seem to care primarily about material possessions 2.Walt primarily cares about his car, a
material possession which also represents the American dream. a. "The American pragmatist, he
fixes things as well as finishes things. He spends a lifetime accumulating the tools in his garage,
material goods, naming them and knowing how they work" (Alpert) 3. Even though Walt and his
family are well off, he and his family are not close at all II.(3)

Gran Torino Sociology
The film Gran Torino captured in 2008 imaged the importance of cultural awareness in an
immigrated community that highlighted attention on cultural differences in respect to life. The
film's location was displayed in suburb Highland, Michigan in a Hmong densely populated
neighborhood that used to be predominately white families. The main character Walt Kowalski is a
recently widowed Korean War veteran that is grumpy, angry, and self
–absorbed within himself. The
conflict that arises in the film focuses on Walt's prize possession of a 1972 Gran Torino Sport and
the affiliation with gang violence on the apprehension of the vehicle. The gang member that commits
the attempted burglary is named Thao who is coincidently Walt's Hmong neighbor. Thao
...show more
content...
In the main similarities of the book and the film was the use of the Shaman in healing and personal
identification of the power of a soul. Fadiman defiantly expresses the Shaman ritual as an important
way of healing, and the Gran Torino highlights it to be more of a piece of the Hmong culture. In
both the book and the film the Hmong culture is displayed as weak and not one's to retaliate in
relation to a natural defense. Communication is a barrier in both the film and in Fadiman's book
within the Hmong and American populations. The lack of interpreters put the Hmong population at
risk for harm, and in Fadiman's book harm was committed (Fadiman,

Gran Torino
Analytical Essay – Gran Torino
Sam Osborne
Q. What kind of man is Walt Kowalski? Examine character development throughout the film Gran
Torino?
Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino (2008) is a portrayal of human sacrifice and the racial intolerance that
still exists in modern America. The film is set in a poor neighbourhood of Detroit. Clint Eastwood
plays Walt Kowalski, a war veteran who has brooded over his experiences in the war for decades.
Past trauma has caused him to believe that he cannot trust anyone, and he has therefore developed a
deep racism. Eastwood uses many different techniques, including lighting, camera angles, and
dialogue to show how the man Walt Kowalski develops throughout the film. Kowalski begins as an
angry,...show more content...
He then aims his gun at the gang, and drives them away. Kowalski says, "Get off my lawn", and it
is left ambiguous whether he is defending Thao's family, or he simply just does not want anyone of
a minority on his lawn. Once again, half of Kowalski's face is shrouded by shadow, and at the same
time the music reaches a climax, violins at an extremely high pitch, as if he is battling inner demons
– whether to shoot or not. Eastwood compels the audience to think the Kowalski is a man struggling
with his past, and that he can be volatile.
Kowalski's intolerance also finds its way into his relationship with his own family, specifically
his relationship with his sons and their children. This is evident when one of his grandchildren,
his son's daughter asks, "So, what are you going to do with it [his car], when you, like, die". This
to Kowalski is exceedingly disrespectful, and makes him even more cynical and angry than he was
before, as if proving him right that values are not as they should be. Kowalski also goes to the
doctors, were he finds out that he has cancer. He then calls his son, trying to tell him. As Kowalski
is struggling to say it, the camera pans over a photo of Kowalski and his wife, on their wedding
day. Here, Eastwood indicated to the audience that Kowalski still misses his wife, and the past. It
then shows Kowalski in the mirror, whilst on the phone. This shows that Kowalski is starting to
reflect on his

How Is Gran Torino Related To Sociology
Gran Torino
To what extent has Clint Eastwood portrayed the struggle between different cultural groups within
the film Gran Torino
In the film Gran Torino the director, Clint Eastwood, has shown the immense struggle between the
different races in such a way that is realistic to the modern day today. Strong wiled war veteran
Walter Kowalski, played by directorClint Eastwood, is under going a major change in society. The
neighbour hood in which he has always lived in is in desperate need of cultural acceptance and
change. In this Eastwood film there is massive showing of the evolution of violence. Where it started
and how it ended within the Hmong community.
The main character, Walter Kowalski, has many issues with cultural difference. This stems from his
old–fashioned views on life and his traumatic past. Walt has had a previous career in the military
and was involved in the Korean War hence why his views on the Hmong people are very negative.
There is not only...show more content...
At first Kowalski isn't bothered by all the bad in his neighbourhood but this all changes when a
Hmong family move in next door. There are very clear cultural differences between the Hmong
family and the very obsolescent Kowalski. He struggle majorly in trying to accept the fact that his
new neighbours were not of the same culture as him. There is a breaking point in the movie where
the Hmong son from next door, Vang Thao Lor, breaks into Kowalski's garage and tries to steal his
classic car, the Gran Torino. The reasoning behind him doing this is because Thao's cousin is trying
to get him involved in his gang and as an entry ritual he makes him steal the car, thus being
non–successful. This major plot line is encircled with the constant violence of Mexican and Korean
gangs. The violence starts with language and suggested weapons and ends up with strong violence
including rape and eventual death of

Racism In Gran Torino
"Gran Torino," directed by Clint Eastwood, is a very moving and captivating drama. It's a simple
story about tolerance and cultural differences, but also one of hope, self–sacrifice, and unlikely
friendships. A former auto worker at Ford, Walt Kowalski has just had to put his longtime wife to
rest when the story opens. From his scowl, it looks as if he would like to join her. Instead he sits
on his front porch chugging can after can of cheap beer in the company of his yellow Labrador,
Daisy, while watching the world at a safe distance with a squint and a stream of bitter commentary.
The remaining members of his family, including two sons with big houses, big cars, big waistlines,
have no choice but to let him stew alone.
"Gran Torino" tackles racism head on. Although the main character Walt Kowalski, played byClint
Eastwood, is prejudiced against almost everyone, the film focuses on an Asian neighborhood,
uncovering racism and violence. The neighborhood has gone down hill since it has become
immigrant–dominated. The house next door is now owned by a Hmong family, a widespread
South–east Asian minority, and Walt does not trouble to distinguish them from the Koreans he
fought in the 1950s. Throughout the film, we learn Walt had to kill many Koreans as part as his
duty as a soldier during that period of time. The film takes a twist when the bitter old war veteran's
life takes an unexpected turn after Thao, a shy, teenage boy who lives next door to Walt is bullied
by his

Gran Torino Essay
Related text for Belonging: Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino Walt and his family: religion The
opening of the film introduces us to WALT KOWALSKI at the funeral of his wife. The opening
scene and the next (the wake) show us that Walt has no desire to belong either to his family or to
his religion. Everything jars with Walt, from the young priest giving the eulogy to his
granddaughters belly button ring, from the Japanese car driven by his son to his granddaughters
crass selfishness. He perceives his family as selfish, materialistic and shallow. His family also
reject and are intolerant of him. He also rejects the ties of belonging represented by religion though
we only learn the real reason for this later. It's quite plain he thinks...show more content...
In order to come out of his own isolation he will have to learn to relate to individuals and also
realise some of the problems and issues that confront his neighbours as a community. He is
absolutely astonished when they try to thank him with gifts and acknowledge the role that he played
the night before. He has absolutely no understanding of their culture and has evidently never tried to
have any contact with them. In the second rescue scene Sue and her boyfriend happen to be passing
through the wrong neighbourhood. This is not territory where Asians or whites belong. "What the
fuck are you doing in my neighborhood, boy?" As in many American cities racial divides are
reflected by geography and it's important to know the boundaries. (Walt feels isolated in his own
neighbourhood now that all of the whites except him have either died or moved out. He feels on the
contrary that it is the neighbours who don't belong, not him, but for the old woman next door the
hostility is mutual.) The main purpose of this scene is as a plot device to get Walt and Sue in the
truck talking together so that they can develop some mutual understanding. The shot/counter shot
technique used in the sequence emphasises the difference in the characters'points of view but this is
intersperesed with direct frontal shots which show them together in the vehicle. Through the
windows we can get a fleeting impression of the different

Essay on Morals and Beliefs in Gran Torino
Gran Torino Essay Values are principles that a person lives up to. It shapes and defines who they
are. Moral refers to issues of right and wrong and how individual people should behave. Moral
values are one of the most important things that we human beings live for. The movie "Gran
Torino" is an excellent example of how our own moral values define who we are as a person. We
make decisions based on what we think is right or wrong. The film starts off with Walt Kowalski
who is a widower who holds onto his prejudices despite the changes in his Michigan neighbourhood
and the world around him. Kowalski is a grumpy, tough–minded, unhappy an old man, who can't get
along with either his kids or his neighbours, a Korean War veteran whose prize...show more content...
When a character is expressing bravery, the camera closes up on his or her face to show the
emotion and expression in the eyes and facial movement. It helps the audience interpret the
courage on a characters face. Courage is moral value present in the movie. Equality is another
value we hope to come by. The film evolves from racism to equality. When Sue befriends Walt,
she sees him as an equal not as someone who is below her. Though their races are different, they
show an understanding towards one another and they don't discriminate each other. They respect
each other and therefore show equality towards each other. That also happens with Thao when he
gets to know Walt. Walt shows an understanding to Thao when they grow closer and even regards
him as a friend. Equality is not always present in the world but it can be achieved. Even the
neighbours of Walt, grew to have an understanding with him who at first despised him to be white.
However equality is eventually a value that not only Sue but also Walt, Thao and their neighbours
possess. The film demonstrates equality as a need in this world. Finally, one of the most important
moral values a human being can possess is selflessness. It is when a person puts someone else's
needs before their own. In Gran Torino, one of the most heartfelt and saddest moments was when
Walt sacrificed his life for Thao and the neighbourhood. He knew that if Thao went after his

Gran Torino Essay

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Gran Torino Essay