Essays on Henry Fonda

“The Play has been used to teach students about group behavior and the role of individual influence in group settings. What does the play have to offer as a representation of group behavior and the influence that individuals can have in group settings? Connect this idea to the Play and other life scenarios.”

The Play as a representation of Group behavior

Groups or teams are usually characterized by individuals with different characteristics, behavior and cultural backgrounds. The existence of these characteristics as well as behaviors means that people tend to think differently, a scenario that has a significant impact on group decision-making process. In the play, “Twelve ...

Introduction

Much of the human suffering and economic disadvantages that occurred during the Great Depression (1929-1933) were a result of the boom mentality and unregulated business practices of the 1920s. People with a corrupt kind of business acumen exploited the weakest segments of society in the poorest regions. Praying on a naïve boom psychology, businessmen led a devastating attack on the Midwest that ultimately was not curbed by politicians or financial institutions until the middle 1930s. New businesses exploited weak government controls and took on many of the same exploitative practices as the Robber Baron businessmen of the 19th ...

12 Angry Men

12 Angry Men, made in the year 1957 is a well acclaimed American drama giving new ideas about the workings of Jury and the psychology of jury members. Due to some constrictions imposed by American Judicial system it becomes an easier said than done task for Jury members to make a decision, their one decision can make a big effect if all the pros and cons are not probed of a case. The film has many salient features which inspired other film makers from across the world to make several movies and plays taking this idea. Several methods of consent ...

In John Ford’s 1960 film The Grapes of Wrath, ex-convict Tom Joad and his family cross the country looking for work during the Depression, only to find themselves undergoing increasingly bad situations. Henry Fonda’s performance of Joad is a powerful, intense performance that blends into the background and stands out at the same time. In this essay, some of the acting techniques used by Henry Fonda in The Grapes of Wrath are examined, including representational acting, motivation, given circumstances, physical character work, concentration and focus, and soliloquies.

Henry Fonda equips Tom Joad with a very naturalistic, down-to-earth swagger, a very strong ...