Based on the "how to choose your dragon" scene in the film, I would like to argue that in this moment of the film it is conveying respect; how to earn it, what it means to earn it, what you receive once you have it. Jake knows in order to earn the respect of the tribe, he needs to complete the task at hand and wrestle his chosen beast! However, actually doing what it means to earn respect from the tribe is more difficult than just knowing what it takes. But, even though Jake is at first completely overwhelmed with his task, in the end it is the affection of Neytiri; the fact that she is watching him, encouraging him, etc. So in the end, Jake takes a deep breath and does the crazy thing that is going to earn the respect of his fellow tribe members, and make Neytiri think highly of him.
A forum for Blog Community #10 of CSCL 1001 (Introduction to Cultural Studies: Rhetoric, Power, Desire; University of Minnesota, Fall 2011) -- and interested guests.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
How to CHOOSE your dragon
I chose the scene in Avatar where Jake is in his "initiation" if you will, to become one of the people, specifically in the floating mountains where he chooses his flying companion. After watching this scene I decided that it was trying to make me feel for Jake, and respect the adventures he is going on in order to "pass the test". By using members of the tribe watching and scoffing at Jake struggle to overcome his challenge, they become the elite or 'norm' while Jake is the Greek pledge of the tribe. As the audience when we see the 'jocks' scoffing at Jake we get the urge to start boo'ing. This is the emotion that is drawn from us as viewers seeing the way the tribe mistreats Jake. But Neytiri plays a huge role in this scene, maybe the biggest, as she is used as the driving force to Jakes success. By Neytiri playing the role of the cheerleader love interest, this is what pushes Jake to succeed in the end, not because it was his job try and fit in and become one of them. When the audience sees Neytiri stick up for Jake this is the "aww" que and we totally fall for it in a completely legitimate way. Because of the relationships the director has built between audience and characters, we feel strongly towards the treatment of our lovable characters.
I was going back in forth between the scene I did choose and this one. I really liked the way these scene represented the process of Jake being "initiated". I think this is really comparable to many things that we experience in our society today which makes us relate to the scene. It reminds us of all the times we have tried to fit in and makes it feel like we are actually there trying to win someones affection. I find it very interesting that in a sense he is trying to impress Neytiri through the avenue of impressing the others in the tribe, once they accept and respect him she can do the same. The fact that this relates to things we have experienced in our own life maybe trying to impress your significant others family bridges the gap here between reality and fantasy. When watching this scene I think of going to my significant others house for the first time and trying to impress them to ultimately get his respect.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite scenes in the movie and I do agree that it is Jake's initiation into the tribe. He proves to Tsu'tey, the other men and Neytiri that he is capable of accomplishing these difficult rite of passage tasks. In this process of proving to the tribe that he is a worthy asset, he is also finding out who he truly is. In the end, he finally realizes that he sick of taking orders and has to do what he knows deep down inside is right for the people of Pandora and save them before we destroy them and the whole planet.
ReplyDeleteThis scene involving initiation was very interesting. It somewhat reminded me of the initiation into greek life (seeming that that's what most college kids can relate to when they think of the word initiate.) I think this scene shows the amount of respect that the navi have for their new members because they went through the whole trouble of an initiation, which reveals alot about the navi culture. This is a turning point for Jake and a great scene in the movie.
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