World War Z (2013) analysis of gender roles and masculinity
Throughout
American history, gender roles have been perpetuated and idolized through the
use of popular culture. Constructs of masculinity include ones
self-expectation, the relationship and responsibilities of the man to the
family, and the development of world views and life philosophies (Dancy, 2011). Within
the 2013 film World War Z, Gerry, played by Brad Pitt, exemplifies an ideal masculine character.
The movie starts off with Gerry taking on a more feminine gender role within his family. Gerry is first seen as a stay at home dad, cooking breakfast for his family. We see Gerry’s gender role starts to transfer towards masculinity as his family begins to face an unknown danger. Gerry was put in the position to protect his family from what is best described as a zombie apocalypse. Gerry is constantly trying to move his family away from danger, while at the same time keeping them safe and protecting them from continuous zombie attacks. When a helicopter is sent to rendezvous with the family upon a rooftop, Gerry uses his body to barricade the door from oncoming Zombies while his family safely boards the helicopter.
From the helicopter, Gerry and his family are transported towards a naval aircraft carrier which is being used to home survivors. When the captain of the carrier finds out of Gerry’s past history as a United Nations peacekeeper. Gerry is forced to either work to find the origin of the outbreak, or be kicked off the ship with his family. Although Gerry doesn’t want to go about this dangerous mission for fear of leaving his family without a father figure, Gerry ultimately chooses his families best interests over his own and takes on the job of finding the origins.
After losing his whole research team, Gerry is forced to go it alone and find the origin on his own. The idea of independence is masculine, independence insinuates that you can provide for and protect yourself and those who follow you. Gerry demonstrated this form of independence throughout the movie by using his observations to develop and ultimately execute a plan. Gerry took the initiative and put his own life in harms way just to test out his theories and ultimately discover a loophole that could help mankind take back their world from the zombies, and so he could go back to his family. Throughout this movie Gerry fulfilled the gender role of a masculine leader, by constantly providing for and protecting his family, even though for a majority of the film he was hundreds of miles away from them.
The movie starts off with Gerry taking on a more feminine gender role within his family. Gerry is first seen as a stay at home dad, cooking breakfast for his family. We see Gerry’s gender role starts to transfer towards masculinity as his family begins to face an unknown danger. Gerry was put in the position to protect his family from what is best described as a zombie apocalypse. Gerry is constantly trying to move his family away from danger, while at the same time keeping them safe and protecting them from continuous zombie attacks. When a helicopter is sent to rendezvous with the family upon a rooftop, Gerry uses his body to barricade the door from oncoming Zombies while his family safely boards the helicopter.
From the helicopter, Gerry and his family are transported towards a naval aircraft carrier which is being used to home survivors. When the captain of the carrier finds out of Gerry’s past history as a United Nations peacekeeper. Gerry is forced to either work to find the origin of the outbreak, or be kicked off the ship with his family. Although Gerry doesn’t want to go about this dangerous mission for fear of leaving his family without a father figure, Gerry ultimately chooses his families best interests over his own and takes on the job of finding the origins.
After losing his whole research team, Gerry is forced to go it alone and find the origin on his own. The idea of independence is masculine, independence insinuates that you can provide for and protect yourself and those who follow you. Gerry demonstrated this form of independence throughout the movie by using his observations to develop and ultimately execute a plan. Gerry took the initiative and put his own life in harms way just to test out his theories and ultimately discover a loophole that could help mankind take back their world from the zombies, and so he could go back to his family. Throughout this movie Gerry fulfilled the gender role of a masculine leader, by constantly providing for and protecting his family, even though for a majority of the film he was hundreds of miles away from them.
- Dancy, T. (2011). Colleges in the making of manhood and masculinity: gendered perspectives on African American males. Gender & Education, 23(4), 477-495. doi:10.1080/09540253.2010.508454
- OSTERWIEL, W.(2013). Hollywood in Revolt?Dissent (00123846),60(4), 12-16.
Analysis of World War Z (2013) Trailer
This 2013 apocalyptic science fiction film World War Z’s movie trailer depicts Masculinity within the protagonist, along with the fears of American society. Gerry, played by Brad Pitt, starts off the movie with a very feminine role as cooking breakfast and being a stay at home Dad without a job. As Gerry realizes the danger around him, he quickly takes on his gender role of being the masculine protagonist. Gerry is sent all over the infested planet to find a possible cure for the infection, or to find a way to save mankind. The film itself portrays a common fear amongst American society of an apocalyptic takeover of the undead or by a viral infection.
- Jason Alexander
This 2013 apocalyptic science fiction film World War Z’s movie trailer depicts Masculinity within the protagonist, along with the fears of American society. Gerry, played by Brad Pitt, starts off the movie with a very feminine role as cooking breakfast and being a stay at home Dad without a job. As Gerry realizes the danger around him, he quickly takes on his gender role of being the masculine protagonist. Gerry is sent all over the infested planet to find a possible cure for the infection, or to find a way to save mankind. The film itself portrays a common fear amongst American society of an apocalyptic takeover of the undead or by a viral infection.
- JoBlo.com, . YouTube, "World War Z - Official Trailer (HD)." Last modified November 08, 2012. Accessed December 16, 2013. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcwTxRuq-uk.
- Jason Alexander
World War Z (2013) Photography Analysis of Masculinity
These images are of the 2013 Science fiction film World War Z. Within these photographs, we see Gerry taking on different forms of masculinity. The first two pictures display Gerry facing this dangerous zombie infestation on his own. He may have had help from others, but the majority of the labor comes from Gerry himself. The last picture shows Gerry trying to protect his family from the dangers surrounding them. Gerry only takes part in saving the world so that he can return safely to his family. Throughout the movie, you see Gerry in midst of all the chaos in the world, constantly thinking about his family, and not only making sure they are safe, but making sure they know that he will return to them once again.
- Jason Alexander
These images are of the 2013 Science fiction film World War Z. Within these photographs, we see Gerry taking on different forms of masculinity. The first two pictures display Gerry facing this dangerous zombie infestation on his own. He may have had help from others, but the majority of the labor comes from Gerry himself. The last picture shows Gerry trying to protect his family from the dangers surrounding them. Gerry only takes part in saving the world so that he can return safely to his family. Throughout the movie, you see Gerry in midst of all the chaos in the world, constantly thinking about his family, and not only making sure they are safe, but making sure they know that he will return to them once again.
- Tymon Smith, . TimesLive, "FILM REVIEW: World War Z." Last modified July 19, 2013. Accessed December 16, 2013. http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2013/07/19/film-review-world-war-z.
- Rick Marshall, . DigitalTrends, "‘World War Z’ Review: Teaching an Old, Rotting Dog New Tricks." Last modified July 13, 2013. Accessed December 16, 2013. http://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/world-war-z-review-when-zombies-go-global/.
- Kevin Melrose, . ComicBookResources, "Brad Pitt Confirms ‘World War Z’ Sequel in Works." Last modified September 09, 2013. Accessed December 16, 2013. http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2013/09/09/brad-pitt-confirms-world-war-z-sequel-in-works/.
- Jason Alexander