Document Type
Panel Presentation
Start Date
20-4-2018 9:15 AM
End Date
20-4-2018 10:30 AM
Keywords
film, rhetoric, politics
Biography
My name is Larry "Dillon" McCarty. I go by Dillon. I am a Communication Studies senior. I have always been into the depths of Communication. It intrigues me because language is everywhere. Without language, our society would be lost. Also, I am a film enthusiast. I love breaking down and reviewing films. My love of communication and film has enabled me to become passionate about rhetoric, which allows me to combine communication, politics, and film. I am intrigued at how people use texts to persuade audiences. This is why I am doing my Capstone on "On the Waterfront."
Major
Communication Studies
Advisor for this project
Cam Brammer
Abstract
This rhetorical project is meant to explain how Elia Kazan made himself look more sympathetic and likable through his film "On the Waterfront,” which has been seen as a political justification for his decision to testify in front of HUAC. His ideology, which goes against Communism, will be analyzed. Kazan’s ideology will set the stage for how he uses the film “On the Waterfront” to convey his political actions and beliefs. Film metaphors and analogies will be analyzed because they are connected to Kazan's political climate. I will show how the metaphors and analogies are similar, but also twisted in ways that make Kazan’s decision seem truly justified and ethical. In this section, characters, situations, and beliefs will be compared. In this case, metaphors and analogies are used to paint a particular picture of Communism and HUAC. Ideographs will probably be discussed because they showcase each person’s differing views of common political terms. To conclude, the public's split perception of Kazan will be discussed. While Kazan's HUAC actions have made him a very controversial figure, his personal storytelling has twisted the controversy. Now, Kazan is also known as a great filmmaker who deals with personal subject matter. Quite simply, Kazan is a legend of cinema. In particular, Kazan’s 1999 Honorary Oscar award will be explained.
Elia Kazan and On the Waterfront: A Legacy
This rhetorical project is meant to explain how Elia Kazan made himself look more sympathetic and likable through his film "On the Waterfront,” which has been seen as a political justification for his decision to testify in front of HUAC. His ideology, which goes against Communism, will be analyzed. Kazan’s ideology will set the stage for how he uses the film “On the Waterfront” to convey his political actions and beliefs. Film metaphors and analogies will be analyzed because they are connected to Kazan's political climate. I will show how the metaphors and analogies are similar, but also twisted in ways that make Kazan’s decision seem truly justified and ethical. In this section, characters, situations, and beliefs will be compared. In this case, metaphors and analogies are used to paint a particular picture of Communism and HUAC. Ideographs will probably be discussed because they showcase each person’s differing views of common political terms. To conclude, the public's split perception of Kazan will be discussed. While Kazan's HUAC actions have made him a very controversial figure, his personal storytelling has twisted the controversy. Now, Kazan is also known as a great filmmaker who deals with personal subject matter. Quite simply, Kazan is a legend of cinema. In particular, Kazan’s 1999 Honorary Oscar award will be explained.
