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True West

Synopsis

True West delves into the struggle between two brothers: Austin, a suburban screenwriter and Yuppie, and Lee, a violent and reclusive robber who has been living in the Mojave desert. Austin is attempting to make a deal with Hollywood movie mogul Saul Kimmer for a film, but Kimmer decides to explore Lee's idea instead of Austin's after hearing Lee's spontaneous screenplay about two cowboys pursuing one another over the Texas plains. The narrative poses the question over which version of the West is real? While Austin contends that suburban California, with its roads, retail centers, and tract homes, is the real West, Lee contends that the desert, with its incredibly hard climate that drives its residents to survive by their cunning and strength, is the real West. While Austin contends that suburban California, with its roads, retail centers, and tract homes, is the actual West, Lee contends that the desert, with its incredibly hard environment that drives its people to survive by their wits and strength, is the true West. Moreover, the constant allusions to well-known Western movies imply that Hollywood's version of the West is the only authentic West.

The brothers trade places as a result of Kimmer's insistence to follow Lee's screenplay: Austin steals several toasters from the neighbors in retaliation for Lee's taunting, while Lee toils away at the typewriter, roughing out the dialogue. The brothers' underlying similarities are indicated by the reversal of roles. When their mother unexpectedly returns from Alaska, she claims to recognize nothingand leaves right away and quickly leaves. The narrative ends with Lee and Austin engaging in a physically brutal but unresolved altercation. In addition to challenging the mystique that surrounds the American West, True West delves into the violence that results from family members' basic psychological and behavioral similarities.



Real World Manifestion of the Conflict

Dysfunction within families can manifest in various forms, often stemming from unresolved conflicts, communication breakdowns, and differing expectations. These tensions can intensify over time, leading to strained relationships and, in extreme cases, outright conflict. Within the context of True West, this manifests in the form of two brothers vying for financial gain, where the dynamics of power, identity, and societal pressure exacerbate existing tensions, driving them to fight each other to assert their manhood.

Within a dysfunctional family, there is usually a lack of healthy communication and emotional support. This can lead to a sense of competition and insecurity among siblings, especially if one feels overshadowed or neglected by the other. In the pursuit of financial gain, which often symbolizes success and validation in American society, each brother may see the other as a threat to their ambitions. This perceived threat can trigger a primal instinct to assert dominance and prove one's worth, particularly in a culture that places significant emphasis on individual achievement and material wealth.

In America, there exists a deeply ingrained expectation for children to be strong, independent, and successful providers. Within the context of a dysfunctional family where these ideals may already be distorted or unattainable, the competition for financial gain can become a battleground for asserting one's manhood and asserting control over one's destiny. This can lead to aggressive behavior, resentment, and a breakdown of fraternal bonds as each brother seeks to validate his masculinity at the expense of the other.

Additionally, the pursuit of financial gain in America often entails navigating complex systems of power and privilege, which can exacerbate existing tensions within a dysfunctional family. If one brother perceives the other as receiving preferential treatment or having unfair advantages, it can fuel feelings of resentment and betrayal, further escalating the conflict. In a society where success is often equated with individual merit and hard work, the perception of being cheated or disadvantaged can provoke a strong sense of injustice and drive the brothers to fight each other even harder to secure their chance to obtain the American Dream.






True West
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