Protagonist vs. Antagonist

       When watching any Hollywood film today you’ll probably recognize a certain pattern that plays out in these movies. The structure that is played out is called the Classic Hollywood Narrative form. The Classic Hollywood Narrative form refers to the classic Hollywood structure of stories on film. These structures usually include a linear narrative—meaning that the story includes a beginning, middle, and end. The climax, which is the most intense scene of the film, and the closure/happy ending are also two other components that are important to storytelling. One other important element that contributes to a story line would be the protagonist and antagonist characters in a story.

        In any typically Hollywood film, there’s usually one main central character. This individual normally plays the hero in the movie. In most Classic Hollywood films, this character is nearly always played by a white heterosexual male. When women are introduced into these films they normally play a minor or supporting roles. They generally serve as the female love interest on the side. In these films there’s a huge emphasis on the female characters physical attributes such as their beauty and/or sexual appeal. Whereas men are defined by their “ actions,job,and/or principles” (Benshoff). The antagonist in Hollywood film would  be the villain of the story. These roles a mostly reserved for non-white individuals. The antagonist in any story normally creates obstacles that will get in the way of the protagonist reaching his or her goal. The status quo of society through out history(and even today)  has been white patriarchal capitalism. It’s because of this belief that this message is translated on screen.“Good and evil are thus reduced to simplified and racialized stereotypes: white male hero versus villains of color” (Benshoff) This is typical of most Hollywood films today.

       One example that shows white patriarchal capitalism seeping into the film industry would be in Western films. In this film genre white heterosexual males normally play the protagonist of the story. They are morally good and the Indians portrayed in these films are bad. The Native Americans in most Western films are depicted as ruthless killers. It’s usually up to the cowboys to save the day.

        One modern day example that is introduced in the preface of  the novel “America on Film”  would be the Disney animated film the Lion King. Although the story takes place in Africa. The voice of the main character Simba is voiced by a white male actor. The villains in the story are not entirely white. Scar’s evil sided kicks( the hyenas in the film) are played by people of color.The female charcters in the story also play a minor role.

 

     Story's of superheros such as spider man or superman are played by white male actors. A love story is included as a sidebar in both of the stories. The female characters in both Superman (Lois Lane) and Spider man( Mary Jane) are young attaractive women who more often then not need recusing. Both Lois Lane and Mary Jane play supporting characters in both the stories.

Work cited
 Benshoff, Harry M., and Sean Griffin. "Native Americans and American Film." America on Film: Representing Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality at the Movies. Malden, MA, USA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009. Print