I chose to post my second paper from my first Collegiate Sociology class. My teacher said it was well done, and I don't think my final paper is anything too spectacular.
William Schneider
Sociology 1010
Wednesday @ 7pm
w/ Mrs. Shores
Paper #2
The movie I chose was Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. This movie is about epic battle between good and evil. Sauron, a psychopath, the Lord of the orcs and goblins has one hope for survival, his One Ring. Frodo and Samwise travel to Mount Doom in Mordor, to destroy this ring, in effort to bring an end to Sauron and in consequence, all evil. Also there are two great battles that occur. The first, a siege on Minas Tirith, the stronghold of humans closest to Mordor, and the second, a siege on Mordor to distract evil in hopes to allow safe passage for Frodo and Samwise to Mount Doom.
The movie begins with two brothers, where I found my first traces of sociological effects. Smeagol and Deagol find the One Ring, and Smeagol ends up killing his brother for it. After this, Smeagol is out-cast from his once 'In-group,' because of a shifted norm. No longer accepted by Hobbits (little people) because he killed his brother, choosing to be 'deviant,' and quite possibly committing a 'crime' from his groups standards. I found this part interesting, in relation to what I read in the book. In Chapter Four, it talks about “compulsion of proximity,” a term for humans' true need for personal interaction. Smeagol (who becomes Gollum), becomes a recluse from society. After obtaining the ring, I'm guessing he still desired to have these social interactions, yet was unable to because of being outcast and his lust for the ring.
In Chapter Five, it talks about 'reference groups,' I found this applicable to almost every single character. It stood out the most to me with Gimli (the dwarf). A very competitive dwarf, he was also comparing himself to Legolas (the elf). Gimli says, “I never thought I'd die fighting side-by-side with an elf,” to which Legolas responds, “What about side-by-side with a friend?” I loved this line because of the competitive tendency, to prove one 'group' against another. The entire movie, Gimli is counting how many he killed to how many Legolas killed in battle. (This is a continuation of competition from the The Two Towers, the second movie in this trilogy.)
Aragorn was a leader in this movie. I would submit even a 'transformational leader.' As the humans gathered for their 'final battle,' he instilled in them a sense of mission and higher purpose, with the moving words of his pre-battle speech. This helped remove the fear from the hearts of his men, and inspire them to fight more fiercely for their own lives, and loved ones.
Throughout the movie you see examples of 'formal relations,' most visible within the ranks of the military. Both the nations of Rohan and Gondor had forces that had rules of organization for what to do, and when to do, and how to do it.
Another subject I saw was when Aragorn recruited the 'dead' for battle. They had apparently in the past, broken a promise to aid Gondor in their time of greatest need, and were cursed to suffer until they fulfilled their oaths. Aragorn offered to have their oaths be fulfilled, and be released from their curse if they helped them fight this time. This was an example of 'sanction,' as they all fell in line to conformity so they could receive their 'reward.'
I suppose I would mention Arwen, who broke the 'norm' of her elvish society by falling in love with a human, and giving up her immortality. This makes sense with the four types of bonds of 'control theory' that Travis Hirschi proclaimed. First was is attachment. She clearly was attached to Aragorn, and loved him more than all the attachments combined in elvish society. The other three are commitment, involvement, and belief. She believed in Aragorn, and hoped for his success, to have her mortal life with him. All this even after her father's discouragement. That's some serious love.
Lastly I would mention status. Frodo began his journey as a humble Hobbit. By the end he was renowned and given very high status for his success at destroying the ring. Each of the four Hobbits were given high status, exampled by all of the nations bowing to them in honor of their great deeds.
One big difference in culture in this movie from ours is that each of their nations are ruled by king's. Another is their immense differences between races. Though symbolic, their separation between race is far more drastic than ours. Our main cities have melting pots of every nation, and race. In this movie, each race lives amongst themselves, and seems to only mingle amongst each other when there is dire need.
From this movie, I gained insight to the relationship between Frodo and Samwise. More than ever it was impressed upon my mind the effect of Frodo leaving at the end. Samwise was a true friend, indeed you could say he had a great love for him as a friend. They experienced much together, and Samwise sacrificed so much to preserve Frodo and help him succeed. They formed a very strong bond with their adventures. “You have so much to be and to do. Your part in this story will go on.” These were Frodo's last words in the movie, and such are an inspiration to be socially attuned and gentle. I hope my part in this story of life will be one of social tenderness to all.
It has been enjoyable to watch movies after learning typical sociological interactions and their effects. My view on movies pulls them out as I watch them. I'm sure this is a skill I'll keep throughout my life.
