Billy Elliot Essay

Gender And Economic Inequality In Billy Elliot
Introduction:
Inequalities are everywhere. Both in the 1980s British and the contemporary Hong Kong. After
watching the movie, "Billy Elliot", we can identify a lot of inequalities, such as the gender and
economy inequality. In the first part of the essay, I will focus on the gender and economicinequality
that revealed in the movie, reasons of them, and also the impact of these inequalities on Billy and
his family. Move to the second part, I will talk about the similar situation in Hong Kong. In Hong
Kong, people give different attitudes to different gender for participating in sports. It also leads to
unequal income distribution and opportunities among citizens. Causes and consequences of this
situation will be provided in this part.
Analysis: 1) Are there any inequalities revealed in the movie? Give 2 examples.
There are both gender and economic inequality revealed in the movie.
Gender Inequality
"Gender inequality refers to unequal treatment or perceptions of individuals based on their gender."
(Sabberwal, 2014, p.210). Billy's case indicated both unequal treatment and perceptions to him.
The unequal perceptions based on Billy's gender are most come from his family members.
According to Berger & Luckmann (1966). people learned what is appropriate and what...show more
content...
Students from low socioeconomic background have fewer chances to access better life since they
cannot enter tertiary education. According to Census and Statistics Department (2016b), the average
monthly income of university graduates is greater than the secondary school graduates by
HKD10,000, enjoy better economic well–being. However, youth from low socioeconomic
background often cannot get enough financial support from their family to their tertiary education
(Ngai, Cheung, To, Luan & Zhao, 2014). So, there is a linkage between insufficient chances for poor
students to enter tertiary education and access better economic
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Billy Elliot Essay
Billy Elliot– a lovely drama about a boy who tries to follows his dream A film analysis of Billy
Elliot, made by Eirik Moseng 1STB Written for VG. October 2014. Director: Stephen Daldry–вЂЁ
Actors: Billy: Jamie BellвЂЁ– Grandma: Jean HeywoodвЂЁ– Tony (BillyВґs brother): Jamie
DravenвЂЁ– Billy's dad: Gary LewisвЂЁMichael–– Michael (friend of Billy): Stuart WellsвЂЁ
Mrs. Wilkinson: Nicola Blackwell вЂЁ Year: 2000–вЂЁ Nationality: UK/France–вЂЁ Genre:
Drama– The film is about 11 years old Billy Elliot, who grows up in a mining community in the
north of England during the great miners' strike, which was in 1984–85. He is the son of a miner,
who lives with his older brother, grandmother and father. His mother is dead. Billy's father and
older–brother Tony, who...show more content...
For example, when everything seems to go wrong, the music is sad. When Billy and Michael are
dancing in the boxing arena, the music is positive and cheerful. As Billy's father goes into them,
the music stops and there is a tense atmosphere. In the end of the movie, when everything seems to
evolve into Billy's favour, it's a love song that reflects Billy mood. I would say that the theme of the
film is dreams and ambition. If you have dreams and ambition you can go far in life and make
anything work. I also think that the theme is about talent. Everyone has a talent somewhere inside
themselves– itВґs just that you have to wait for it to be founded. We can find both of these themes
in the story of Billy Elliot. By chance he discovers his hidden passion for dance, and he really
wants to continue to dance, and at the same time be accepted by his family. Personally I think that
the film Billy Elliot is a good, special and different film from others I have seen. I think that that
the theme of the film was very good, and I think that Billy Elliot is a very good man. Sometimes it
was hard to understand what the actors said, because they had a strong accent. I want to recommend
the film to all people

Billy Elliot Film Analysis
Individuals venturing into new transitions could confront obstacles but may also gain significant
rewards. Barriers often obstruct the achievement of goals which bring about growth and change
within oneself and their surroundings. Billy Elliot is a film set in an English town of Evirngton,
England during the 1985 mining strikes. The film depicts a young boy facing the challenge of
overcoming traditional gender stereotypes to pursue his love for ballet. Billy faces extreme adversity
from his family and community that hold traditional values and beliefs. The process of transitioning
into a new phase of life may be confronting but ultimately lead to new understandings of self and
others. Stephen Aldry's Billy Elliot film epitomizes this idea as Billy tries to pursue his passion for
dancing in 1980's England. The obstacles he faces throughout his transition shape his journey
throughout the text. Similarly, Clint Eastwood's novel 'American sniper' explores how transitions can
shape an individual and their relationships with others around them, Where Kyle returns from his
first deployment and reunites with Taya Kyle. Taya immediately notices that her husband has
changed, war has made him moodier and angrier. Yet this transition is yet to be complete.
Billy challenges society's expectations based on gender during this era, as he conflicts against male
stereotypes on gender roles and follows his passion for dance. Billy's transition is represented
through a series of visual and

How Does Billy Elliot Show Identity
Billy Elliot explores the concept of identity and how it can shaped and changed through life
experiences. It tells the story of an 11–year–old boy named Billy, and his father, Jackie, amidst a
mining strike in a town in Northern England during the mid–1980s. Billy creates his personal
identity through dance as it is a means of expressing himself. In Billy's world, strict stereotypes
dealing with gender and sexual identity are enforced, which created not only an internal personal
battle for Billy, but also an external conflict between him and his family. As a result, he was ashamed
of and forced to hide his talent and passion for dance, shown in the quote, "I feel like a right sissy".
The song "Town called Malice" was played in Billy's main

Themes In Billy Elliot
In the film 'Billy Elliot' directed by Stephen Daldry there are many important places, namely the
Elliot home, the coal mine and the ballet/boxing hall. These places are important as they helped the
audience to understand the idea of identity in the film.
The Elliot home is an important place because it is the setting of the main conflicts Billy faces in
his personal life. The first conflict occurs when Jackie and Tony find out that Billy has been going
to ballet instead of boxing and Tony lifts Billy up and puts him on the kitchen table and tells him to
"dance, you little twat!". Chaos ensues as the kitchen, which was originally a place of solidarity has
become a war–zone. This shows how a man was viewed in Billy's society. The house, mainly the
kitchen represents the conflict in Billy's personal life by being the setting for many conflicts and
growing experiences for Billy. We again see this when Billy receives the envelope which contains his
audition results and it is placed on the kitchen table with the family surrounding it. The close–up
shot of the envelope symbolises Billy's final barrier before he can fully embrace his new identity that
more closely relates to his true self. This helps the audience to understand the theme of identity is
this film as both these conflicts in this setting show the struggles Billy goes through to be able to be
himself and connect with his true personal identity rather than a fake identity that pleases his father.
Another important

Homosexuality and Billy Elliot Essay
Homosexuality and Billy Elliot In ' Billy Elliot' there is undoubtedly a strong homosexual subtext but
does this necessarily mean the protagonist himself is gay? . Director Stephen Daldry openly deals
with homosexuality and intentionally creates doubt surrounding Billy's sexuality thus fuelling
debate and discussion. Through out the film Daldry presents us with numerous episodes, which
suggest homosexuality but which are all open to interpretation, for example is Billy's rejection of
Debbie in the bedroom scene a sign of his homosexuality or just due to the shyness and insecurity of
youth? . In my opinion, Daldry, at the end of the film is...show more content...
For Billy's father it isn't necessarily his sons dancing that he finds hard to come to terms with but
more the fact that a macho figure like himself is harbouring a homosexual son. However it could
be argued that Billy's dancing is really a metaphor for all sorts of things, i.e. his passion and zeal
for life rather than his homosexuality, as he points out himself 'Just because I like ballet doesn't
mean I'm a poof, you know'
Billy's rejection of Debbie in the bedroom episode could be used as evidence to suggest he is gay.
He remains silent when asked ' Do you fancy me' and later when asked if he would like to see an
intimate part of Debbie's anatomy, simply replies ' No, that's ok'. However is this merely due to
Billy's inexperience with girls and thus his insecurity and shyness? . Those advocating that Billy
is gay would argue that his cold and affirmative ' No, that's ok' shows that he has no interest in the
female sex. They would also argue that as Billy has been without a female role model for most of
his life, due to his mother's death, he has become dependant on male figures and this could
potentially spill into his more intimate relationships. Billy's affirmation that ' I'm not a poof' could
also be met with some degree of scepticism. Is Billy just repeating the prejudice of his

Characterization of Billy Elliot
Characterization of Billy Elliot Billy Elliot is a 12–year–old boy who lives with his father Jackie, his
big brother Tony and his eighty–year–old grandmother in Everington in Northeast England at the
time of the miners' strike in mid–1980s. He is the protagonist in the story and is principled, likable,
and vivacious with a musical tone in his body. His mother Sarah who died two years before the
beginning of the story was a musician and used to play on the piano for the whole family. Unlike the
others in the little community Billy is – to some extent – impervious to social conditioning enough
to think outside the box. Although he feels bound to the social tradition beautifully summarized by
Jackie; "I boxed. Me dad boxed. You box" (p. 12....show more content...
49 l. 27–28). In that moment when he makes up his mind about dancing his strong–willed and
obstinate self emerges making him unafraid to confront his dad about his beliefs. Another
noticeable trait is Billy's loyalty towards his family and his best friend Michael. He is very
protective of the people who are dear to him. An example is how he refuses to badmouth his
father to Mrs. Wilkinson even though he is very upset with his father for not allowing him to
dance. When Mr. Wilkinson suggests that the strike is pointless Billy defends his father's and
brother's actions. He is also private about his family in the sense that when Debbie Wilkinson
reveals delicate details about her family, Billy doesn't reciprocate. He is tolerant and accepts
Michael's homosexual tendencies. His loyalty keeps him from abandoning his friend just because
he is different. Billy's immaturity and lack of communication skills show at the Royal Ballet
School when things go downhill. The environment in London is completely different than what he
is used to in Everington. He takes his frustration out on the poor boy in the changing room who
tries to calm him down. Instead of acting wisely he reacts emotionally and lashes out. Related to
this trait is his capacity to be childish, particularly in terms of how he allows his emotions to sweep
him away as well as his inability to think about the potential consequences of his

Billy Elliot Stereotypes
The Graceful Man
Since primitive times, men were been considered the primary providers and protectors for their
family (Hinshaw). This role has diminished through the twentieth and twenty–first centuries, but the
need to be macho remains in countless men. Makeup, tights, and ballet shoes are rarely considered
masculine. Therefore, a subsequent stereotype has become prevalent. People erroneously believe all
danseurs to be gay, weak, and feminine. Frequently,male dancers are left to feel inadequate and are
discouraged from their art because their manliness is questioned. However, the 2000 film, Billy
Elliot, juxtaposes the stereotype of male ballet dancers with a titular character who defies all
expectations. The man's historical role as provider...show more content...
Furthermore, the Elliot family were not well off by any means; nevertheless, no one would
question the validity of mining as a career as they would ballet. Mining is considered a perfectly
reasonable profession for a man. Still, neither profession acquires a significant income. Still, Billy's
passion makes dancing worth the risk and certainly would fulfill Billy more than boxing (Daldry,
Billy Elliot). The short careers of ballet dancers can cause issues for dancers (Columbus).
Fortunately, ballet dancers have options for their life after they retire from ballet. At that point, they
can settle down and find

Billy Elliot Transitions
The process of transitions has the power to allow individual to seek new pathways in order to allow
new opportunities to arise, challenging perspectives and stereotypes, while ultimately growing as an
individual. However, it is only through overcoming challenges, that a transition empowers the
individual to overcome hardships, gaining a deeper understanding of self, while developing strength
and integrity. The film Billy Elliot positions the audience to perceive hardships that individuals must
overcome in order to successfully achieve their ultimate transition, challenging gender stereotypes
and societal "norms". Tracey Chapmans song Fast Car, outlines obstacles that the persona and the
audience relates to, however it is through the melody...show more content...
Only when the Elliot's experience new perspectives and develop a sense of self, will Billy and
Jacky gain an appreciation of new values, whilst gaining a deeper understanding of self, developing
strength and integrity. Within the first scene, it foreshadows Billy's inner feelings towards dancing,
and the ultimate joy that it brings to him. Through the wide shot, of Billy jumping with his full
body against a wall, reflects how dancing is of great importance and an element in his life that he
truly cherishes. "I was dancing since I was twelve" emphasising the ultimate transition that Billy is
going through, challenging his family values and ultimately societies stereotypical images. The
claustrophobic and cramped styled housing portrays a working and lower class society that Billy
has come accustomed to. The vulgar language that is used to communicate with one another, and
violence proves to be a male dominated society, and by dancing, which is something "girls do. Not
lads", identifies that this aspect of a male dancer is unheard of within the working–class society,
"you're a disgrace to them gloves, your father and the traditions to this boxing hall". Running his
hands against a brick wall and being enclosed in a tiny

Billy Elliot Quotes
In life we all have goals and dreams. Determination is one way to achieve them, but can we
achieve on determination alone? Is there something else a person needs to help them achieve
their dreams? This idea is explored in the four texts The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins,
Macbeth by William Shakespeare, 'Billy Elliot' directed by Stephen Daldry, and 'Still I Rise' by
Maya Angelou. In the poem, 'Still I Rise' by Maya Angelou, the persona is speaking on behalf of
all the black women who have ever suffered from prejudice and oppression. "You may trod me in
the very dirt but still, like dust, I'll rise." She is speaking out against all her oppressors and telling
them that they can no longer treat her as they have in the past and that she has...show more content...
"I don't want a childhood. I want to be a ballet dancer." But despite all his determination Billy
could not reach his goal without the support of his family, who at the start were dead set against
the idea. This situation reminds me of Macbeth, who without the support and encouragement of
Lady Macbeth never would have become King. "I have no spur that pricks the sides of my intent,
but only vaulting ambition." This quote shows us that Macbeth has absolutely no other motive to
kill King Duncan, only his powerful determination to become the King himself. But despite his
intense ambition Macbeth did not have the courage to see the deed through. Lady Macbeth's
support made him change his mind, without her he never would have succeeded. Likewise, with
'Billy Elliot', Billy needed his dad's complete support to aid his determination. Once Billy's dad,
Jacky, had changed his mind, Billy's dream was completely in his grasp. By putting Billy's dream
ahead of himself and pushing past his fear of judgement, Jacky allowed Billy to do something that
he never could have done on his own. "Let's give the boy a f**king chance!" In both cases of 'Billy
Elliot" and Macbeth, the support of their loved ones was the difference between success and

Comparison of Billy Elliot the Movie and Novel
The film, 'Billy Elliot' is about a boy called Billy, who loves dancing. The story is set in the north
of England in the 1980s, where the only jobs outside cities would be in factories or coal mining.
The director of 'Billy Elliot' uses many techniques in which to make us like/empathise/feel sorry for
Billy.
The film begins in silence with a close up on the gramophone. This immediately makes us think that
the music is going to be very important in the film, as first impressions always count. Billy starts
jumping on his bed. The director uses the camera to get a close–up on Billy's feet and the
gramophone. The gramophone gives us the sign that...show more content...
In the film, when Billy's racing around and realises that his Nan is not there in the bedroom, it seems
more serious in the novel than in the film. In the novel it seems as if Billy is a bad–tempered boy
who only cares about himself as he says 'I could bloody kill her', and that he was 'bloody
knackered' for looking for his Nan. In the film, Billy seems caring and understanding. The director
shows this when Billy finds his Nan in the field, and has a close–up of Billy reaching for his Nan's
hands. When Billy does this, it gives us a feeling that his Nan is in safe hands again, now that Billy
was there.
The scene in the house where Billy is playing the piano makes us feel sad and sorry for both Billy
and his dad because the piano reminds them of Billy's mum. I think the dad misses his wife so
much that he feels sad and shouts at Billy for playing the piano, as it reminds him of his wife. The
first impression that we get of the dad is that he's a stressed and angry character in the film, this is
shown by the director by having a close–up on the dad's stressed face with Billy in the background.
The scene starts of with Billy playing the piano and a glimpse of the grandma looking sad in her
bed. I think the director does this because it is a scene where the family remembers their mum, hence
the grandma looking sad, therefore

Belonging-Billy Elliot
Life requires us to move to new stages, each with its own set of obstacles and challenges which, if
successfully overcome, can enrich one's experience. A significant role in this process is played by
familial and social values and external interventions. Stephen Daldry's film 'Billy Elliot' (2000)
depicts the protagonist's growth as he discovers a passion for ballet which drives him to break free
from traditional masculine stereotypes in his mining hometown. This similar drive traces the quest
of the Brennan Family in the Australian Documentary "Proof of life", when their son Nigel, a war
photojournalist, is captured and held hostage in Somalia for ransom. Both texts illustrate the
importance of determination, persistence and tenacity in...show more content...
The Brennan family however are hampered by the inability to communicate and access information
to release Nigel. The lack of support from the Australian Government plunges them into a world of
bureaucracy, prompting them to come to a collective family decision that "the only way to get this
resolved was to go it alone....If the government won't support us, then we do it alone. This is our last
roll of the dice". The gambling imagery shows the amount of risk involved, further enhancing the use
of silence creating a climax of emotion. Front–on camera angles reinforce the personal confrontation
which is supported by a collage of positive images of Nigel with his family. The menacing drums in
the background convey a sense of mounting tension, having to extend their resourcefulness of their
own devices and prompted to think laterally. Their last resort is to travel to Canada, where they hire
a private contractor to negotiate ransom with the hostage takers. Doing this they become personally
proactive in their own predicaments in confronting new obstacles and finding solutions to tougher
financial constraints, threat and increase in demand. According to Hamilton Brennan, "Relationships
are really being stretched. You know, there's a lot of anxiety." This is shown through the back and
forth panning and the quick cuts between the scenes of the family, the contractor and photos. The
support of

Billy Elliot
Billy Elliot
Traditional ideas about stereotypical gender roles can be challenged or supported with different
characters and environments. The visual text Billy Elliot was created in 2000 and directed by
Stephen Daldry. The film is about an 11 year old boy (Billy Elliot) who tries to pursue a career in
Ballet despite negative stereotyping. Billy must overcome many obstacles in his path including his
stereotypical father and brother who are convinced that men cannot do Ballet. Billy Elliot
demonstrates that traditional masculinity is restrictive and makes men feel trapped. He does this by
following his dreams to be a ballet dancer proving that he could still be masculine and successful.
Topics such as symbolism, setting, characterisation...show more content...
Billy shows the world that being creative and expressing yourself can lead you to follow your
dreams and be happy. The unsuccessful characters in the visual text were Jacky (father) and Tony
(brother). The town expects men to be masculine and miners. Jacky was unsuccessful as he had
stood up for himself and the miners' strike yet lost the battle to the government. He ended up where
he started so his efforts towards the miners' strike

Billy Elliot Essay
The Victoria Palace Theatre production of Billy Elliot was reviewed as one of the best modern
musicals to come out of London. All have been striking up conversations talking about the actor's
performances, the music written by Elton John is what made is a must see show. I will say that
the set, its design, the lights, and the sound adds to the illusion of telling a story, moving from
place to place, and is a huge contribution to the show itself and helps it make is a fantastic show
about a boy who wants to dance. Billy Elliot, the musical, originally written and adapted from the
2000 film Billy Elliot, director Stephen Daldry takes the stage to put on this ten year running
musical classic. Ian MacNeil is the set designer who brought the...show more content...
Anton helped design pieces of scenery that were easy to bring in the 4m high spiral staircase and
the kitchen table onto the stage. A trap door would open from the stage, and a small bed with a
staircase would rise up and kitchen table trap door would open up as well to get them set on
stage. The trap door would break apart and slide the door under the stage, and have then with a
flick of a switch, they would spiral down and hide, using a hydraulic lift to automatically rise and
lower the structures. I saw the video on how both the spiral staircase and the kitchen table were
able to come up from the inside of the Victoria Palace stage floor and be able to lower back down,
without making any noise. "In order to get the side walls off or on stage, the side lighting bars
have to be lifted and then quickly lowered back into place. These specially strengthened bars each
weigh two tons, and have a 40kW motor driving them. Moving at a speed of 2m a second,
controlled by Impressario, the travel on these massive lighting bars has to be 100% accurate"
(AVW Controls). The walls were attached to wagons that were connected to more hydraulics that
were controlled to move back and forth to help build up the scenario that we are in a different
location in the

Examples Of Prejudice In Billy Elliot
Prejudice is a kind of mindset that will lead to criticizing others who did not follow this mindset.
A child that live surrounded by a society full of prejudice will definitely affect his/her views to the
world. In the film Billy Elliot by Stephen Daldry , Billy the son of a coal miner who comes from a
poor family lives in an oppressive environment that full with prejudice. It affects Billy a lot from
pursuing his dreams to be a ballet dancer and put him through a hard time even though he is so
passionate about ballet. This environment had an enormous impact on Billy as he is being stop
from chasing his dream and causing him to view the world negatively. The prejudices that affects
Billy's life is the preconception to gender stereotype , society's...show more content...
It makes harder and tougher for Billy to develop his identity , potential and dream due to the
acceptance for the middle class to accept someone from working class like Billy to become a
professional ballet dancer. Debby, Mrs.Wilkinson's daughter did not tell Mrs.Wilkinson that Billy
had called to inform that he cannot go for the Royal Ballet School audition due to Tony's court
day. She is envious and thinks that Billy's status is too low to join the school. The librarian also
have the perception on class status as the tone she used to reject Billy when Billy is trying to
borrow a book which not valid for a junior ticket is not polite and contempt.
In a nutshell, it is obviously seen that Billy's perspective is influence by the prejudices around
him which had caused him think negatively because he is oppressed by gender stereotype, class
divisions and the strike. But at the end, his love of dance and determination and perseverance help
him break free from oppressors and change his family and community minds thus decide to help
him to achieve his dream.Finally, the effect from the prejudice is overcome as Billy get the
supports from his family, his community and Mrs. Wilkinson who never lets Billy give up and he
managed to be a successful ballet

Stereotypes In Billy Elliot
In the film "Billy Elliot" directed by Stephen Daldry, Michael is a thought provoking character
because he is portrayed as both gay and a cross dresser. With the film being set during the
1984–1985 coal miners strike. Michael lives in Everington, Durham, a small town in north–eastern
England where you're either a "straight girl" or a "straight man" and the community is very "black
and white" and there is no grey area in between area for people like Michael.
In the film "Billy Elliot" Michael is seen to be interested in cross–dressing and frequently dresses up
in his sister's dresses and puts on his mother's makeup (most notably her lipstick). The long shot of
him standing at his door in front of Billy wearing his little sister's dress shows...show more content...
Along with the struggles of growing up in a community where he doesn't fit the expected "norm"
for male behaviour, Michael has an alcoholic and abusive father who believes heavily in the
gender stereotypes perpetuated throughout the film and disapproves heavily of Michael's
behaviour. All this strain on Michael makes it hard for him to have a "normal childhood" as he
struggles with the challenges of growing up in a community where you don't fit the "mold" of
what a man should be like. This is shown in the scene when he and Billy are wearing tutus and
dancing in the boxing hall and get caught by two angry parents who then proceed to call them
both "poofs" and "sissies" for dancing together. Michael is also seen at the end of the film to have
his male partner sitting next to him.This relates to the audience because at some point in their life
everyone feels like they don't fit in with the majority of their community, whether it is a small
difference or a large one people are all unique but sometimes can feel like they are the only one
fighting against the world. In Michael's case he has to grow up hiding his true self and not being
able to express his feelings as the community he lives in is heavily embedded in traditional gender
roles and stereotypes and does not accept people who don't fit within the "black and white"

Billy Elliot Analysis
The film Billy Elliot, by Stephen Daldry, gives a point of view of what this young boy goes
through when he is family does not accept his new–found love for ballet. One day at boxing practice,
Billy sees the ballet practice going on and decides to join in. Little did he know he would enjoy it
as much as he did. Although Billy enjoyed it so much, it was not easily accepted by his family and
they made that show clearly understood. Throughout the film this is the storyline that is really
defining the separation between sex and gender. I believe the author, Stephen Daldry, uses the
separation between sex and gender to show what the gender norms are and how they are looked
down upon in some places if not followed correctly.
After Billy's first...show more content...
Later on, in the movie, Billy finds out that one of his close friends, Michael, is gay. Although he is
not gay, he supports his friend. Michael is also a cross–dresser and enjoys wearing tutus. Later,
Michael becomes attracted to Billy but Billy responds with "Sorry I am not gay". Michael is so
young and already understands he is more into boys than girls, Billy becomes very interested in
how a boy so young can already know that. Thinking about the fact that Michael and Billy are the
same age and assuming that Michael is not forming to the basic boy actions of society it is very
impressive that these boys do not care about what others think about them. Such as the scene where
Billy shows up at Michael's house and Michael is wearing dress. Billy wasn't so sure about it at

Billy Elliot Analysis
Billy Elliot, directed by Stephen Daldry, details the life of an 11–year–old working–class boy who is
caught up in the poverty and violence of North–east England during the 1984 miner's strikes. After a
local ballet teacher discovers Billy's raw talent for dancing, Billy decides he wants to be a ballet
dancer. Billy had to overcome many obstacles in order to follow his new found dream. Two of these
were family traditions and expectations, and social class. Billy also received help to overcome many
obstacles, this help came from Mrs Wilkinson.
Growing up in a tight knit community means Billy is constrained to follow the traditions upheld by
the men in his family, these include stereotypical male activities like boxing and mining. Due to
Jackie, Billy's fathers, status in the community people look up to him as a masculine figurehead,
this role is soon jeopardised by Billy's new–found passion for Ballet. One scene shows Billy coming
home after ballet and running straight to his room in an attempt to hide his ballet shoes under his
bed, his father walks past and asks what he is doing, Billy then hides his shoes and says he has
lost his boxing gloves to which Billy's father replies "They were my dad's gloves. You better take
better care of them, okay?" This suggests Jackie wishes for Billy to continue the boxing tradition.
The traditional violence of boxing is carried across into Jackie and his eldest son's, Tony, activities.
The two are seen as trailblazers for the frenzied

Gender Issues In Billy Elliot
Watching the film, Billy Elliot by Stephen Daldry, it's evident that the film portrays several social
problems that are still issues today. One obvious issue is gender roles and the pressure put on
males to constantly be masculine. As soon as the main character, Billy Elliot, went to a ballet class
after his boxing class he felt the pressure of being the only male. Billy's father forced Billy to join
the boxing classes in order to fill the obvious stereotype of how males need to stand up for
themselves by defending themselves with skills such as boxing, since, boys are raised to fight
anything that threatens them. Since there were no other males in the ballet class, most of the towns
people believed Billy was homosexual since "straight...show more content...
This film would help broaden society's eyes on gender roles in a male perspective rather than the
typical female perspective. Gender roles typically are viewed as how women are held back in
leadership positions or the gender pay gap, this movie helps show how men are held back due to
their goal of being seen and a "manly man."
Another social problem in the film is the mistreatment of the LGBTQ society whether publicly or
in conversation. Throughout the movie homosexuals were constantly being degraded by being
called "puffs". Even those who were not homosexual were called a "puff", including Billy, who
was called a "puff" because he wanted to be a ballet dancer. Another example of the LGBTQ
community is Billy's best friend, Michael. Throughout their childhood Michael shows Billy that
he is a homosexual by dressing as a female, trying to kiss Billy, wearing lipstick, etc. But, 14 years
later when Michael is watching Billy perform, it is obvious that Michael is more open about his
sexuality by wearing makeup in public and sitting next to, what can be understood as, his partner.
The movie helps portray just some of the struggles that the LGBTQ community goes through and
focusses more on the issue as a whole and not specifically for Michael. Though, Michael is the only
openly gay character, the movie doesn't focus on the problem being within the individual.

Adversity And Struggle In Billy Elliot
Billy Elliot Billy Elliot was a story of adversity and struggle. It follows a young boy who becomes a
great success at ballet after he starts attending dance classes instead of his boxing classes. The
play uses parallel storylines of the struggle for coal mine workers' rights and Billy's struggle to
become a great dancer. It takes place in an impoverished town in the UK during the 80's but it
was performed in 2017 at the Berkeley playhouse. The play is impactful because it satires gender
stereotypes and advocates for the payoff of hard work. My favorite character was the ballet
teacher. The actress made great use of the stage and her props. I loved the way she swayed in her
fur lined silk robe and how she used her faux cigarette. It really conveyed the life story of the
character and made her stand out. It gives her an aura of strength but also a certain feeling of
tragedy – as if she had always wanted to become a star. Her beat changes were very distinct
throughout the play. Each line was...show more content...
Her first challenge comes when Billy himself does not want to do ballet because of his
preconceived ideas that only girls and gay boys do it. The teacher pursues her objective by being
stern and demanding. This gets Billy to take dancing seriously and she furthers her goal. However,
trouble comes when Billy's father finds out that he is not doing his boxing lessons. The teacher
tackles this with her stern tactics from before but intermixes an appeal of sympathy for Billy's
talent. Unfortunately, she is unsuccessful and has to result to being secretive in order for Billy's
father not to find out. The conflict between the two characters was very intense due to conflicting
objectives and strong tactics; it raised the stakes and grabbed the attention of the audience. This
makes the viewer root for Billy to succeed despite his

Billy Elliot Essay

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Billy Elliot Essay