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Abstract

Historically, representations of Black characters in Hollywood films have been, and still are, problematic. Evidence of this can be found as far back as the first American feature films in the Classical Hollywood era, as well as the 1970s Blaxploitation movies, and more modern projects from the 90s into the 21st Century. The focus of this dissertation is to analyse Hollywood films from these eras, identifying poor African-American representations through textual analysis, as well as studying socio-economic factors, to determine why these portrayals are stereotypical caricatures and not realistic depictions. This research is then applied to Quentin Tarantino’s filmography, to cement the idea that damaging representations of African-Americans are still being perpetuated and reinforced by White directors in this era, Tarantino’s voice represents the majority in Hollywood.
These representations are analysed through the breaking down of various tropes, themes, and stereotypes. Most notably, tropes such as the: ‘White Saviour’, ‘Buck’, ‘Uncle Tom’ and ‘Mammy’. As well as thematic usage of violence and sex, which is linked to Black characters in both Classical Hollywood and Blaxploitation film. This dissertation will argue that not only is Tarantino complicit in recycling these negative elements, but his failed subversions of them also only lead to more damaging representations.

Course: Film Industries - BA - C2651S

Date Deposited: 2022-08-08

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13971.html