"A Place in the Sun"

Paper Summary:

The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the film, "A Place in the Sun," directed by George Stevens. Specifically, it discusses George's character development in the film. "A Place in the Sun" is the story of George Eastman, a lower-class man with high ideals. He wants to be rich and successful, and the film follows his rise and eventual downfall from what he aspires to. It looks at how, outwardly, George changes tremendously during the film, since he goes from "rags to riches" and learns how the upper classes live. He becomes one of them. However, it also shows how, inside, George does not change much at all. He is selfish and self-serving, lonely, and determined to better himself throughout the film, and he allows his heart to rule over his head and common sense.

From the Paper:

"As George begins to socialize with the Eastmans, he becomes surer of himself, and when he is promoted this also helps him feel better about himself. He begins to leave Alice and her world behind, but he is not adult enough to tell her. This is another way George does not change throughout the film. He wants to be successful and make a good life for himself, but he is not adult enough to cope with the many changes in his life. He takes up with Alice by chance, even when he knows it is forbidden. He cannot say "no," and in this, he is very childish. His decision to not tell Alice he is in love with Angela is also childish, and his idea to kill Alice to rectify the situation is childish, too."

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