FRIENDSHIP ESSAY
Friendship is a lifelong experience which is all-important. The nature of friendship, however, is defined by the individuals involved and their circumstances. In an examination of two set texts and two texts of your own choosing, consider this statement.
Friendship's definition is determined by the participants and the context in which it takes place, and the impacts from this relationship depend upon what can be offered by each individual. This statement will be explored in four texts; two films called Stand By Me directed by Rob Reiner and Men In Black directed by Barry Sonnenfield, and two novels called Walking Naked by Alyssa Brugman and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. There are many different friendships displayed in these texts - for this reason similarities and differences will be compared in order to reach a conclusion about the nature of friendship.
Stand By Me portrays a friendship between Gordy and Chris, eleven-year-old boys growing up together in a small town in the 1960s.
The Great Gatsby (1974 film)
The Great Gatsby (1926 film)
The cover of the first edition of The Great Gatsby...The two boys appear to be very different to each other - Gordy is quiet, sensitive and thoughtful which Chris is the leader of the group and is viewed as a "tough guy". As the film progresses, Chris gradually reveals his true feelings to Gordy and Gordy sees Chris as the only person he can rely on. They share an intimate and unique bond through mutual trust and loyalty. Chris is always looking out for Gordy and expresses this when he says: "If your parents are too fucked up [to look out for you] then maybe I should."
The characters' different views on life allow them to offer something important to the friendship. Gordy looks despondently ahead so Chris attempts to convince him of his wonderful opportunities, and when Chris communicates the limited future...