Alexander Masha

My aim is to investigate the representation of black males in the black coming of

age films of the 1990s. To do this I will be analysing the films Boyz n the Hood
(1991), Menace II Society (1993) and Do the Right Thing (1989)?. I will be
analysing how black males in the films subvert stereotype and adhere to the
stereotype, I will also be analysing the effects these films have on the audience.
In Boyz n the Hood (1991) black males are represented as instigators of violence
this was shown through the use of a voiceover in the opening of the film. Hey
man fuck that man, them niggas around the corner tripped out man were my
strap at this shows an attitude to perpetuate violence over anything, the reason
for this latest exhibition of violence because the niggas round the corner tripped
out. The film satirises the cause of violence found in the hood viewing it to be
childish, this shows a fulfilment of the black stereotype. The voiceover also sets
the tone for the rest of the film, setting the audience for a realistic retelling of life
in the hood.
In Menace II Society a medium close-up was used to show O-Dog (Kevin)
brandishing a gun. O-Dog facial resemble that of a child, happy to get a present
he cannot contemplate the power he wields in his hands. 0-Dog almost seems
mesmerised by the gun in front as he rubs it admiring it. This perpetuates the
notion of violence amongst black males in the hood it shows a lack of fear for
danger and it strengthens the character type of O-Dog to be fulfilling the
stereotype instead of countering it. This inherent lack of fear shows that black
males in represented in Menace II Society and Boyz n the hood feel like they have
nothing to live for. This perception is reinforced in Boyz n The Hood as even
their mother have no faith in them You dont do shit and you never gonna
amount to shit. The lack of motivation from family members creates a void,
which is filled by violence out on the streets.
In Menace II Society there is also a lack of motivation for the positive instead
replaced with been pushed into trouble I caught onto the criminal life real
quick instead of keeping me out of trouble they turned me into it this creates the
connotation of black males been trapped in cycle they cant escape. The cycle of
no escape from the hood, the only future they are destined from is a life of drug
dealing and eventually death. Black males in these films feel entrapped by the
system. The communities portrayed in these films were a reflection of black
society, Neighbourhood of highly concentrated poverty are seen as dangerous,
and therefore they become isolated, socially and economically, as people go out
of their way to avoid them. Without any discernable help from the outside
world this poverty stricken communities were left to spiral out of control.
Violence and crime became an aspect of just simply living; violence and crime
ruled the community influencing its inhabitants.
In Boyz n the Hood an example of the violent exhibited in black neighbourhood a
long take was used to show a game been played by a group of black males turned
ugly. This shows how easily violence can occur with images like these were not
uncommon as Tre looked back with his facial expression relaxed unmoved by
what he had just seen unfold before him, this coming from an 11 year old. It is
apparent that this is an accepted way of life this evident because the same type of
situation can be also be seen in Menace II Society. In Menace II Society a close-up
of Ilena cousin as he is stamped close to death is used in the foreground and in

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the background onlookers stand and watch as he is violently attacked to an inch
of his life. This image of acceptance creates a connotation of subjugation for
black males. The second of Halls base images-the native their primitive nature
means they are cheating cunning savage and barbarian. In movie we expect them
to appear at any moment out of the darkness to decapitate the beautiful heroine,
kidnap the children Comparison can be drawn between the two events in the
film and Hall second base image. They are both sudden act of violence in which
black males are represented as been savage but it does not just stop at the ones
committing the act, it extends to that of the bystanders who encourage the
violent behaviour. An example of this is O-Dog Stomp him stomp him stomp him
nigger he incites the violent while he watches his facial expressions show him to
be happy by whats happening in front of him, in a way he looks he genuinely
finds some form of enjoyment from this
In Boyz n the hood the importance of having a black male role model is
juxtaposed this with the idea of a household without any form of male influence.
This allows the audience to compare and contrast the two families and how what
influence having a male role model can make. Tres father becomes this symbol
of positive imagery a countertype. In contrast with his friends who lack this role
model Im trying to teach how to be responsibleyour friends across they dont
have anybody to show them you gonna see how they end up too the medium
close up of Furious Style as he says this gives importance to his words. The lack
of score music during this scene also makes his words even more significant.
Medium close up doesnt just allow for an intimate moment with his son but also
for a deeper engagement with the audience.
The idea of a role model is also a theme found in Menace II Society this is evident
in lives of Caine and Kevin. Instead of keeping me out of trouble they turned me
into it Caines only father figure is that of a drug dealer and murderer this was
the only image he saw of his father. Jacques Lacan writes Where infants see
their reflection in the mirror and see it as a superior reflection of themselves that
they must aspire to be This can be related to both Tre and Caine, Tre sees his
father as a reflection of himself and wants to be like taking on the same
responsibility he had. An example of this was the use of montage to show Tre
working through the day to clearing up the leaves at the front of his house. This
shows that he is hard working and responsible going against the stereotype and
a reflection of his own father. Whereas Caine reflects the negative representation
of his father and Pernell who had a hand in is upbringing. An example of the
negative representation during Caine upbringing, a wide shot of Pernell showing
Caine how to use hold a gun properly was used to show this, Caines positioning
in this scene is important as he is tucked into Pernell this connotes a perception
of guardianship between Pernell and a young Caine. This coupled with the
voiceover during the scene Pernell looked out for me when things were wrong
he taught me things he showed what been a hustler was all about shows how
influential Pernell was to Caines development viewing him as someone to aspire
to be.
The theme of fatherhood is explored in both Boyz n the hood and Menace II to
society. In Boyz n the Hood fatherhood is explored through Tres father Jason

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Furious Style, played by Laurence Fishbourne and Ricky Baker played by Morris
Chesnut. These two forms of fatherhood are in comparison to the absent father.
The absent father is a constant topic amongst characters in the film; Furious is
represented, as been a caring father to his young son, teaching him important
lessons to learn in order to be a father. Any fool with a dick can make a baby, but
only a real man can raise his children he say this in such a tone that denotes
experience and understanding. Furious reflects on his own past as he uses an
anecdote to justify the decisions he had to make when he was younger, choosing
to be a father to his son.
Ricky as only just recently become a father and just like Furious wants to be
responsible father to his son, shown by his willingness to join the army to be able
to provide for his young growing family. This connotes a representation of
responsibility amongst some black males who endeavour to dependable for their
children aspiring to be more than just another black man on the corner of the
street.
In Menace II Society fatherhood is represented in a different way the first been
Caines father Tat Lawson played by Samuel Jackson. Tat was represented as a
violent influence in Caines life leading him to a life of drug dealing and a
downward spiral he could not break free from. The use of dark lighting covering
half of his face and the altered audio suggest to the audience of this negative
influence. The altered audio coupled with zoom and a blur of the background
into Tats face creates a surreal image transforming into a demon like creature.
The use of the colours red and black helps reinforce the idea of transformation in
Tats character.
Caine becomes the second image of fatherhood but not to his own child but to
Pernell and in identical reconstruction of Caines own scene with Pernell when
he was younger, Caine teaches Pernells young son Anthony. A medium shot was
used to replicate this scene. The use of medium shot makes the moment between
the two more intimate and shows a bond between the two. Although Caine sees
what he is doing as good thing this is of course questionable. Caine as become
blinded by the street life, in the beginning of the film he was shocked and sick at
the sight of O-Dog killing the storeowners in stark contrast to now in which he is
comfortable around weapons and murder. It also perpetuates the idea of a
violent cycle in the hood.
The image of the hood is overtly racist; it is used to segregate the black from
the white. It stops a majority of black males from aspiring to become something
more whilst also forcing them to become trapped in the same cycle of violence.
The hood can be a reference to a place where someone lives but as gained a
negative connotation to be a place of danger. The characters make many
references to the hood and the life they face and live
The theme of revenge is explored in both Boyz n the Hood and Menace II Society.
It drives characters in these films to do something unlike their personality. In
Boyz n the Hood this was almost the case for Tre Styles who was blinded by
revenge after the death of Ricky.
The scene leading up to his death is ominously built up by the score music as it
plays a drone like repeating rhythm. The addition of the tolling bell acts like a
countdown to the imminent doom the audience is almost anticipating. This set

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against the relaxing character as a medium shot is used to show the splitting
makes this scene all the more chilling. The cutaway between both Ricky and Tre
adds ambiguity in relation to which of the two characters will die. The following
death scene is followed with the fading out of the score music and a silence as
the guns shot encapsulate the scene. During the aftermath of Rickys death Tre
undergoes a change, a medium shot is used to show Tre going under his fathers
bed and arming a gun the position of the camera between the door give the sense
of the audience looking in on Tre. Tre need for revenge leads him to anger which
proceeds with the want to be violence against his transgressor. The use of the
gun in this scene relates to Furious speech in an earlier scene. Why is that there
a gun store at every corner they want us to kill ourselves Tre is so blinded by
the loss of his friend that he had forgotten the words his father.
In Menace II Society revenge doesnt fall on the hands of the main character
Caine but he instead dies because of it. Slow motion is used as the assailant drive
by the house with brandishing different weapons. The reason behind the
shooting was because Caine had failed to be responsible for making Ilena
pregnant this can be related to Furious message to his son Any fool with a dick
can make a baby, but only a real man can raise his children Caine had failed to
responsibility for making Ilena pregnant and was now paying the price of that
negligence.

Alexander Masha