Tsotsi directed by Gavin Hood and Chris Abanis Nigerian novel Graceland Essay Example for Free

Tsotsi directed by Gavin Hood and Chris Abanis Nigerian novel Graceland Essay How do the names of main characters in the film Tsotsi and novel Graceland define their identity? When comparing the South African movie Tsotsi directed by Gavin Hood and Chris Abanis Nigerian novel Graceland, both are stories of young men struggling with their poverty-stricken fates. In these African cultures, the names of central characters Tsotsi and Elvis are more than just a reference; they carry the clues to their past and the explanation to their present as they endure journeys of self-discovery. In the film, main character Tsotsi embodies his native label. In the local vernacular of South African townships-comprised of Afrikaans and a mixture of local dialects such as Zulu, Xhosa, Tswana and Sotho-the term tsosti can literally be translated to thug. With it comes the historical association of the 1930s urban youth gangs that ruthlessly ruled at the top of the ghettos hierarchy. Although in the past the name tsotsi carried a glamorous gangster image, the word is now used to describe displaced young criminals. This history of the word parallels the characters past. Tsotsi is seemingly comfortable in his role as a cold-hearted gang leader, but the viewer questions his motives as the film progressively exposes his troubled past. Hood uses flashbacks to portray Tsotsi as a young boy in his last moments with his bed-ridden mother. As he reaches out to hold her hand, the scene is slow-moving as if visually symbolizing the strength and endurance of their love. In these defining moments, his mother calls him David-meaning beloved. The appearance of Tsotsis aggressive, drunk father triggers a sudden change in pace-a rapid series of individual close-ups foreshadows a climax in the conflict that will permanently paralyze the characters emotional acceptance of each other. Parting from his mother metaphorically displaces David from his once safe, loving past to Sowetos perilous grasp. When he runs away, he leaves behind his real name-his true identity. The new name Tsotsi allows him to take on the role of a nameless thug that masks his emotional existence and provides him with an outlet for his traumatic childhood. In Graceland, the main characters name is inspired by the late Elvis Presley. Throughout the novel, Albanis choices of names define a culture in which all you had was your name(187). Before money became a universal determinant of status, the sole measure of a man was his name(187). Elviss father, Sunday, lives to take the family from being a nobody to carrying a name people spoke with respect(187). It is therefore untraditional for Elvis, as a future male representative of the family, to be named after his mothers, Beatrices, unaccredited passion. This act alone foreshadows Elviss inability to satisfy the conventional role posed upon him in Nigerias male-dominated society. Beatrice, meaning bringer of joy, invests her love and passion for music in Elvis. In the same way music acts as an escape from the slums grim conditions, Elvis is Beatrices symbol of hope-an innocent new beginning to life. Both Tsotsi and Elvis define their names through the strong connection with their mothers. When Beatrice dies, Elvis loses his source of inspiration, and the reader questions whether he will still be able to live up to his name. Both Tsotsi and Elvis found motivation and purpose in their mothers care, thus struggling to maintain paths of righteousness(171) after their loss. Although initially thriving in his self-adopted role as criminal, Tsotsi is eventually forced to come to terms with his true, restrained identity. In the beginning, he organizes crime with his followers Boston/Teacher-boy, Butcher and Aap (monkey in Afrikaans) at his heels. Together the meanings of the three names describe the characteristics symbolic of a stereotypical street gang; an abandonment of education, a barbaric desire to hurt and kill, and the foolishness of reckless animals. Despite the gangs obedience, it is not long before Bostons guilt consumes him after a murder, and he begins to question Tsotsis mysterious faà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ade. He verbally tears at the mask Tsotsi has created: Whats your name, Tsotsi? Your real name? Thug? Thats not a real name. The interrogation triggers Tsotsis angry past and fuels a brutal beating of Boston. In the following scene Tsotsi is fleeing the bar, and Hood parallels the event to the flashback of David originally running away from his father. Hoods cross-cutting implies a commonality in Tsotsis state of mind during these two events. Tsotsi has become exactly what he ran away from all those years ago-a bitter, drunk abuser. This inner realization forces Tsotsi to come to terms with his past and re-establish his true identity. After Beatrices death, Elvis struggles to maintain a source of identity. Beatrice has endured him with the role of her idol-she loved Elvis Presley(105)-and Elvis soon begins to physically embody this responsibility. His first job in the novel is entertaining beachside tourists as an Elvis impersonator. While Tsotsi hides from his real name, Elvis tries to embrace the inspiration behind his. Unfortunately, in a life where money overrules passion, dancing is not seen as a sufficient job; it is something everyone does in de bar on Saturday(5). Despite the disparagement, Elvis finds refuge in his physical transformation into the King of Rock. Make-up is a tool to success, metaphorically providing him with the opportunity to escape his menial reality. In this way, Elviss physical mask is similar to Tsotsis emotional shield. Real make-up, however, is seen as a dangerous option(11) because he could be mistaken for a cross-dressing prostitute(11). Elvis resorts to layers of talcum powder and is dissatisfied(11) with his end result. The conservative Nigerian culture denies him freedom in expressing his genuine love for music and dance, and Elvis becomes afraid to define his impersonation as anything other than a materialistic occupation. His mother may have given him a name that carried her artistic inspiration, but she failed to raise him into a life where his true character could flourish without her. It takes Tsotsi years to accept his name, and Elvis a lifetime to try to live up to his. Together, film and novel act as a microcosm for urban African society-a culture in which names are carefully chosen as a representation of character. Hood and Abani use Tsotsi and Elvis to exemplify the powerful role of names in influencing and molding developing characters. Author and director stress the need to take control and establish ourselves in a way that brings honor to our names, and that doesnt allow societys pre-prescribed connotations to define us.