Social Barriers in Gattaca Essays

Social Barriers in Gattaca Essays Social Barriers in Gattaca Paper Social Barriers in Gattaca Paper The society of Cattle separates its citizens into categories based on their genetic makeup, thus segregating its citizens into distinct categories. The most prominent social barrier evident in Cattle is the one isolating the natural born from the genetically modified. Vincent, being a God-child, was regarded by society as a second class citizen for his genetic inferiority. Vincent experiences rejection at a very young age. Due to his heart condition he was deemed too great a risk to attend kindergarten with the so called normal children. No one wanted to be held responsible should he fall ill whilst under their care. At such a tender and impressionable age, it was made painfully obvious to Vincent that he was not like the other children. The tall, imposing gate of the kindergarten slammed in Vincent face seems symbolic of the social chasm lying between Vincent and the valid children. In this scene, the movie utilizes a close up shot of Vincent small, childish hand gripping the thick, steel bar of the kindergarten gate to further emphasizes to the audience of Vincent rejection. Not only Is Vincent discriminated against by society, his family, to an extent, also ejected him. Niccole shows this emotional distance between Vincent and his family In a number of subtle ways. Many times we are shown Anton conversing happily with his parents while Vincent stands off to the side. At meal times we see Vincent sitting at the coffee table studying the theories of space travel whilst his family sits around the dining table. In the family photo we see Anton standing In the middle of his mother and father while Vincent stands off to the side. Vincent father rejects him at birth, refusing to give his first-born son his name. He continues to view his son as a bystander member of society as Vincent grows up, saying to him that the only way youll see the Inside of a space ship Is If you were cleaning It. Vincent Isolation from mainstream society exacerbates as he enters adulthood. He and his fellow Invalids were considered to be of the lowest social class and given the most menial and unsanitary of Jobs. Whilst working as a Janitor at Cattle, Vincent looks up through the glassed roof at the launching of a rocket ship, the medium shot of his face showing the audience the captivation he felt at coming face to face with his dream. Separated from his aspirations by a thin panel of glass, Vincent narrated that he had never been more certain of how far he was away from his goals than when he was standing right beside It. Later, with the borrowed Identity of Jerome, Vincent once again looks up at the glassed ceiling at the rocket ships, this time as a prized employee of Cattle. This scene contrasts with the previous, and shows Vincent achievements In breaching the seemingly Impenetrable social barrier between himself and the socially elite. By Eddie Not only is Vincent discriminated against by society, his family, to an extent, also rejected him. Niccole shows this emotional distance between Vincent and his family in the dining table. In the family photo we see Anton standing in the middle of his youll see the inside of a space ship is if you were cleaning it. Vincent isolation from mainstream society exacerbates as he enters adulthood. He and his fellow invalids were considered to be of the lowest social class and given the when he was standing right beside it. Later, with the borrowed identity of Jerome, Vincent once again looks up at the glassed ceiling at the rocket ships, this time as a Vincent achievements in breaching the seemingly impenetrable social barrier