The Rejects

After watching the movie Dead Man, I noticed a lot of similarities between William Blake and characters that we have read about throughout this year.  After watching the first five minutes of the movie, I could tell that Blake stood out like a sore thumb.  After reading The Awakening, Light in August, Heart of Darkness, and Song of Solomon, I have noticed the reoccurring theme of characters that do not fit into society.  Meursault's lack of passion and emotion leave him isolated.  Joe's inability to fit a stereotype leaves him in a category by himself.  The technologically advanced Europeans have trouble adjusting to the primitive lifestyle in the depths of the Congo.  Most recently, I saw how Milkman has trouble finding himself throughout his life.  The protagonists every story go against the societal standards.  William Blake continues this theme.  He is newly exposed to the western culture and it causes him to stand out.  He dresses differently, has trouble adjusting, and is not used to the lifestyle.  I just find it interesting that the main characters in these stories share one significant characteristic: the inability to "fit in."

Comments

[Nathan Mitka]

Michael, I will agree with you for now, for your points are interesting and correct. In Dead Man, it's almost as if Blake is not only unable to fit into society, but he is actually bad at it. When he first journeys to his new job he fails at finding success. Then for the rest of the entire film, he is nearly always confused with a look on his face as if he doesn't understand what is going on