Socio 113 Sociological Cinema

Flormarie Mae Fua

Ceridon Quilantang Jr.

A. BROOKLYN
Discuss the pros and cons of Ellis Lacey’s returning to Brooklyn after visiting Ireland after
the death of her sister, Rose. Make sure you use at least two concepts discussed in class
(Chapters 2-4) when you present your arguments (2 pages of short-sized bond paper are
required).

The life of Ellis Lacey in Ireland was different from what she had in Brooklyn. Ellis
was a passive, quiet, reserved woman who essentially conforms, avoids conflict, and does
what is expected of her. Most of her decisions were guided by others especially her mother
and sister. Her life in Ireland was uncertain. It seems like there is really nothing for her in
Ireland. There’s no stable work, no marriage prospects that nothing for Ellis to build a life
on. Her sister Rose who is concern of her future, has arranged her to go to America where
she could start a better life.

Psychological conditions of love would best fit for the pros of Ellis Lacey’s
returning to Brooklyn after visiting Ireland. Psychological conditions are associated with
healthy love relationships such as high self-esteem and self-disclosure. As we can see in
the movie, Ellis was motivated by love since she met Tony. Because of Tony, Ellis had a
heightened confidence with herself that she was not able to establish when she was in
Ireland. Having high self-esteem allowed her to willingly disclose herself to Tony. She was
open and honest about some details of her life without thinking about being rejected. In
other words, she trusted Tony because whatever feelings or information she had shared,
she knew that Tony will never judge her. Feeling good of oneself made her believe that she
is worthy of being loved with a person like Tony. Such feelings were never felt when she
was in Ireland. Returning to Brooklyn will result to positive outcomes where she can have
a happy and stable married life, renew herself and carve an independent future with Tony,
find new opportunities, pursue her degree of being a book-keeper, and develop security as
well as personal growth. Thus, Ellis could not feel any regret in retuning to Brooklyn
because Ellis could actually start a brand new life herself together with Tony.

On the other hand, the cons of returning to Brooklyn can be explained by the
concept of escape and loneliness. Ellis wanted to escape from an unhappy home situation.
Especially when her sister Rose died, she felt that home was the place of loss and
disappointment. Not only that but the socially-conservative environment itself makes it
difficult for Ellis to establish a happy life in Ireland. In the scene where Miss Kelly knows
about her secret, she’s reminded of what else life would be with Jim. People will talk about
her because everyone knows who she is, and what she had done shows no chances to start
over. Ellis just wanted to escape from being shamed by people around her. Ellis, as an older
adult, don’t want to grow old alone. It is possible that ending up staying with Tony would
make her happy although there is a bit of loneliness felt inside as she left her mother for
good. Taken into consideration on what Ellis had become, she could not revert back to her
old life – leaving a part of herself behind. And possible she could lose contact with her
family. There will always be a sacrifice of Ellis’s coming back to Brooklyn, but a life in
Brooklyn is a life that is primarily hers and Tony is a part of that.
B. THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES

Make a critique of the movie based on the many concepts of romantic love we have discussed in
class. Make sure you use at least two concepts in your paper. The critique should not be more
than 2 pages of a short-sized bond paper. (25 pts)

The movie presents a unique example of clashing views about what is to be expected within
a relationship between couples. Gregory Larkin a middle aged Math professor at Columbia
University developed a odd disposition about love and relationships. After failed attempts at love,
he decided that he would just rest on a relationship that is based more on companionship and
respect rather than physical attraction and desires. In order to find a suitable partner it was
noticeable in the film when he wrote his advertisement in the computer that he already had
narrowed down his marriage market like someone with a PhD and over thirty five years old. He
did this probably not only because of preferences, but also to minimize the chances of
incompatibility and not being able to relate in a conversation.

This was also the reason why probably he was able to connect fast with Rose Morgan, who
was also a Professor in the same University. This was because in some way they are alike, both
are teachers and they can easily talk about things which they can relate to. An example was during
their first date Gregory was fascinated on how Rose was able to make her students stay in the
classroom. In a sense the self disclosure between the two is certainly a lot more easier as they can
better understand each other since they have this common experiences which they can share. This
was also the reason why someone like Rose who repeatedly rejects all the dates which are set up
by her mother, accepted another meet up with Gregory. They had created a connection through
sharing their teaching experiences and this eventually became the start of their relationship which
Rose at the first, did not even call a date.

Throughout the the dating stage in the film it was said by the mother of Rose that it was
certainly a weird relationship as they have been dating for over some few months and yet they
have not even kissed once. Gregory’s disposition of love can be classified as a modern conception
known as the Storges love style wherein it is a love caring deeply for one another but is devoid of
intense passion and lust. This love style is normally present in couples which are married for long
time already. As seen this was a mistake made by Gregory, although this kind of love is not wrong
but it was very premature to take their relationship into this level. Society’s standards of romantic
love is for couples to take care of each others need and this includes sexual desires. In a more
Modern conception of love, sexual urges are often seen as something normal within couples which
promotes passion and strengthens connection of the relationship. However Gregory was unable to
understand that and still pushed through his 19th century Victorian era conception of a more
spiritual kind of love. He was unable to acknowledge that it is but normal for a person to have this
passion and physical desires which Rose clearly feels. Since he was unable to provide for the need
of his wife, it became somehow unsatisfying for Rose in the relationship and left him for some
time.

Love is made up of three core concepts of Passion, Intimacy and Commitment. In the case
of Gregory and Rose, the passion is blocked by the mentality of Gregory in the film. Without the
desire to be with each other the concept of love would be incomplete, and this clearly became the
bone of contention between the two in the film. In Gregory’s point of view people must have this
transcendent union between two souls that goes beyond the physical desires. Gregory thought it
was better for them to have no physical intimacy and passion at all since he prefers to be connected
with Rose intellectually. This was probably okay if they are friends, but these two are married to
each other. Physical attraction is nothing but normal, and in the early parts of the married
relationship passion is something that must be enjoyed as it wont be that strong in the later stages
of the relationship when they are old. In a way it can be implied that Gregory was rushing the
relationship while Rose stays on track on the level of the relationship they have.

At the end, Gregory’s mentality was shattered by drinking alcohol and going to his friend
for advice. It was then that he was able to admit that he loved everything that Rose is, including
her physical appearance and finally able to acknowledge the passion that he felt. The love between
the two was mutual and real, but it only needs a few things in order to be fully complete.