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On the Waterfront shows that when people’s lives are ruled by self interest and
fear they have little chance of fulfilment.
In Elia Kazan’s 1954 film, On The Waterfront, the idea of fulfilment for an individual is
clearly connected with moral responsibility and caring for others. This is deeply
embedded in the Christian message delivered throughout the film by Father Barry and
Edie and learned by Terry who is eventually able to transform his life, break the
corruption on the waterfront and prove to himself that he is not ‘a bum’. On the
Waterfront shows that moral integrity, in the context of the corruption that surrounds
the waterfront in the1950’s, requires courage and sacrifice to bring about social justice
and equity.
On The Waterfront shows that change is only brought about by individual effort.
Do you agree?
It takes someone of tremendous conviction to change the world around them and
become a hero against injustice. Elia Kazan’s 1954 film ‘On The Waterfront’ shows that
change requires momentary heroes who are capable of standing out from the status
quo. Through their individual efforts, these characters are able to make a profound
difference to those around them. Through the protagonist Terry Malloy the audience
sees a man’s moral growth until the moment he is able to stand up for his rights.
However, he is not alone, as Kazan uses Edie Doyle and Father Barry as the motive for
Terry’s change. While their purposes in ending Friendly’s mob control of the docks are
different to Terry’s, their desire to find answers and provide a better life for the
working class longshoremen is no less pivotal to bringing change though it requires
them to change their own thinking first.
Terry says to Edie, “Quit worryin’ about the truth all the time and worry about yourself.”
To what extent does Terry follow his own advice?
Elia Kazan’s On the Waterfront presents a time and place in America where corruption
and violence dominate and where ‘worryin’ about the truth’ can get you killed. The
waterfront is ruled by Johnny Friendly and his mob and the longshoremen are totally
dependent on them to allow them the ‘privilege’ of working to make a living. Terry tells
Edie, early in the film, to approach life the way he does and worry about her own safety,
rather than trying to find out the truth about Joey’s death because ‘it ain’t safe.’
However, as Edie’s innocence and faith in him, alongside Father Barry’s motivational
speech in the hold, start to awaken Terry’s conscience his conflicting loyalties start to
alter his perception of the truth. The murder of his brother, Charley is the final catalyst
that propels Terry down a path of justice and virtue and sees him become the hero who
restores order to the waterfront, whilst simultaneously reclaiming his dignity.
On the Waterfront shows that when people’s lives are ruled by self interest and
fear they have little chance of fulfilment.
In Elia Kazan’s 1954 film, On The Waterfront, the idea of fulfilment for an individual is
clearly connected with moral responsibility and caring for others. This is deeply
embedded in the Christian message delivered throughout the film by Father Barry and
Edie and learned by Terry who is eventually able to transform his life, break the
corruption on the waterfront and prove to himself that he is not ‘a bum’. On the
Waterfront shows that moral integrity, in the context of the corruption that surrounds
the waterfront in the1950’s, requires courage and sacrifice to bring about social justice
and equity.
On The Waterfront shows that change is only brought about by individual effort.
Do you agree?
It takes someone of tremendous conviction to change the world around them and
become a hero against injustice. Elia Kazan’s 1954 film ‘On The Waterfront’ shows that
change requires momentary heroes who are capable of standing out from the status
quo. Through their individual efforts, these characters are able to make a profound
difference to those around them. Through the protagonist Terry Malloy the audience
sees a man’s moral growth until the moment he is able to stand up for his rights.
However, he is not alone, as Kazan uses Edie Doyle and Father Barry as the motive for
Terry’s change. While their purposes in ending Friendly’s mob control of the docks are
different to Terry’s, their desire to find answers and provide a better life for the
working class longshoremen is no less pivotal to bringing change though it requires
them to change their own thinking first.
Terry says to Edie, “Quit worryin’ about the truth all the time and worry about yourself.”
To what extent does Terry follow his own advice?
Elia Kazan’s On the Waterfront presents a time and place in America where corruption
and violence dominate and where ‘worryin’ about the truth’ can get you killed. The
waterfront is ruled by Johnny Friendly and his mob and the longshoremen are totally
dependent on them to allow them the ‘privilege’ of working to make a living. Terry tells
Edie, early in the film, to approach life the way he does and worry about her own safety,
rather than trying to find out the truth about Joey’s death because ‘it ain’t safe.’
However, as Edie’s innocence and faith in him, alongside Father Barry’s motivational
speech in the hold, start to awaken Terry’s conscience his conflicting loyalties start to
alter his perception of the truth. The murder of his brother, Charley is the final catalyst
that propels Terry down a path of justice and virtue and sees him become the hero who
restores order to the waterfront, whilst simultaneously reclaiming his dignity.