The concept of Humanism as applied in the Movie King Kong (1933)

Abstract

Producers attempt to present comprehensive educative themes while orienting the direction of a movie. The goal of any decent movie is to appreciate existing norms and traditions of a given age or time. To achieve this, producers will on category borrow diverse ideas; for instance, technology or cultural beliefs to explain the thematic concepts. This is the case with 1933 American adventure/monster film produced and directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack and Merian C. Cooper – King Kong. This paper will attempts to prove on the concept of humanism as applied on the movie King Kong, and how man is responsible for his own destiny (prosperity or calamity). To accomplish this, the paper is structured into four main parts. Firstly, the notion of sympathy is a critical analysis which will attempt to examine humanistic characters that the monster King Kong has. Secondly, the concept of otherness aggrandizes on the concept of humanism in trying to associate Kong’s character to humanity. Further to this, the third part will explore inherent characteristic that Kong exhibits, with intent to associate them to humanism. The fourth part will attempt to explain the contradictory perception on how humanity (technology and authority) is responsible for mankind achievements and failures.

 

The notion of Sympathy

It is prudent to bail out Kong’s attitude as sympathetic; this is an inherent feature that the viewership community will notice. Primarily, the movie plot is based on Kong’s bellicose derived protectiveness. Initially, Kong’s used to be fed with young girls as a sign of sacrifice, but for Anne’s case, it is different since Kong’s wants to be associated with the woman for reasons that are sexual based. The audience can identify Kong’s on the nature of humbleness when rethinking the concept of sympathy. In any event, it beats logic that a giant ape of Kong’s nature could be in passion with a woman. The learning point of this film is the extent that Kong has to go to ensure that Anne Darrow understands his feelings. Kong’s protective instincts are explained by his ruthlessness and intent to hurt man as a sign of protectionism. Falola, & Agwuele (56) argues that Kong’s intent to Anne is based on a complicated beast-human romance. Kong’s undress Anne with a finger and views Anne body romantic in what Falola and Agwuele argue as gigantic turned-on ape, his love for Anne is the primary cause factor for his sympathy.

The concept of otherness

The concept otherness endeavors to refer to something which is different what is being initially considered. In the preliminary minutes of the movie, one will tend to consider Kong a monster that is ruthless and belligerent to the entire human race, and only takes sacrificial compensation as a sense of honor. However, to achieve a different ending, the producer uses imagery to explain Kong’s ability to be belligerent yet his inner soul is controlled by humanism courtesy of compassion.  Richardson (75) argues that the producer uses high imaginary to be consumed on real concepts; this touches the viewership community to attain the very image of otherness. Primarily, the notion of a humble magnificent character, which in this case one that stood tall and strong, depicts the ambiguity in character formulation. The basis of the movie is the conflict between man and beast, based on the notion that the beast intentions could be on account be genuine. In any event, the beast feels marginalized because of its human-derived ape characteristics. However, according to the society by then, man had scheduled periodical sacrifices to Kong, making man part of the villain – this was tradition and can be bailed out as the same, opposite to the concept of otherness. This does not work for Kong uses human sacrifice as communication to man on the need of a habitual ape-man relationship. The satisfaction that the monster gets from Anne can be used to explain that Kong is not interested in the periodical sacrifices but a legitimized compassion from man.

Issues related to sexuality and reproduction

The film is derived on the notion of women having sex with gorilla a fictitious ideology that is primarily responsible of siring transgressed mammoth like King Kong. Although the film does not depicts physical sexual involvements, one will not fail to notice the inclusion of compassionate sexually derived feelings that Kong has towards humanity with Anne being the favorite candidate. Kong is belligerently protective to Anne like a king would protect a queen during critical times. This is derived from the idea of black masculinity and white beauty. Lewis (41) focuses on a stereotypical racist reflection of black male sexuality; with intent to prove that a black man as sexually aggressive. The monster present inherent black man features, a strong agile body with masculine elevations, which can be compared to a black man.

 

 

The concept of ambivalence toward science, technology, and authority

Yes, there is eminent contradiction between primarily concepts employed in the movie. Critical consideration is science, technology and authority. The goal question asked here is whether technology a negative concept to the society. Denham uses technology to explore risky environments. Also, Denham uses technology to reallocate the monster to Manhattan from deep jungles exposing New York residents to threats. On the other hand, the authority is expected to provide sufficient safety to people of a given jurisdiction. A viewer will have mixed feelings on the role of the technology in providing sufficient security to human. This borrows deep relation on how the movie depicts black man sexuality, one that is aggressive. The viewer is in a dilemma on whether the by then (1933) was technology applied to oppress the black man natural characters or culture. On the other hand, technology is primarily responsible for salvaging the people in the remote village who happened to be subject of King Kong aggressive attitudes and other vicious animals; for instance, Pteranodon and Tyrannosaurus rex. The ambiguity presented here, is whether technology is naturally right or naturally wrong. Also, authority carries similar attitudes. According to the movie, King Kong is chained in Manhattan ready for a show. In this event, the authority is primarily responsible for instituting policies; for instance, free market economy where anybody is at will to trade anything. Denham decides to trade King Kong for a show; therefore exposing New York residents to Kong’s brutality. On the other hand, the authorities are actively seen fighting Kong by use of destructive airplanes. These two instances create a great deal of contradiction.

 

 

Conclusion

This paper has been critical in analyzing the concept of humanism as applied in the 1933 movie King Kong. The paper has attempted to prove that man is often responsible for his calamity, with a critical explanation that Kong is just product of human attitudes towards each other. The paper has attempted to explain that humanism will one day challenge mankind belligerently.

 

Work Cited

Falola, Toyin, & Agwuele, Augustine. Africans and the Politics of Popular Culture.  Rochester:

Rochester University Press, 2009. Print.

Richardson, Micheal. Otherness in Hollywood Cinema. New York: Continuum, 2010. Print.

 Lewis, Natalie. Cooper’s KING KONG (1933): Black Masculinity between White Womanhood

and White Male Capitalist Structures. New York: GRIN Verlag, 2006. Print.

 

 

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