1B - Media Language Essay

Quadrophenia

What are the defining characteristics of the MODS? What attitude did they have towards authority figures - police, bosses, upper class etc.?

• Scooters was a huge characteristic that defined them. It was the ideal way to escape from their working-class upbringing.
• MOD is an abbreviation for modernist and they were often characterized for using bright and bold colours and fashion options. 
• They were the new generation of rebellious teens and their subculture was referenced to clubbing, dancing, drinking, drug taking and music.

How is this attitude shown in the film? Find MOD's attitude towards older generation.

• One of the characters tells his boss to 'shove his job' which implies the lack of respect they have, and that they aim to be more socially accepted rather than their career or lifestyle. 
• The MOD's also destroy several cafe's and corrupt the city of Brighton, where they end up beating police officers. It shows that the MOD's see themselves against the world. The media can then portray their actions in the worst way possible. 
• They have negative opinions on the police force and they feel very cheated by the system. 
• The scene where the character's dad tells his son to 'Stop watching that rubbish" even though his favourite band is performing on the television.

Quadrophenia deals with collective identity and personal identity. How does the film illustrate the collective nature of the MOD culture? Can you think of specific examples? How does Jimmy change during the film? What do you this change symbolizes?

• I noticed that the group are different as an collective identity than what they are individually. During the Brighton chaos caused by them that involved smashing up the town, it represented them as a collective identity. They are all individual as people which is there personal identity. 
• You can notice the nature of the MOD's is very rebellious as they take drugs, cause riots and have aggressive parties. They claim that "they are the MOD's" in a rebellious chant whilst causing chaos in the streets of Brighton, when breaking into the chemist and stealing drugs.
• Jimmy's character develops throughout the film and he appears to be more sensible. There is a scene where they hunt down the Rocker that beat up their fellow MOD friend and once they track him down, Jimmy instantly try to prevent everyone from hurting him. This proves how Jimmy's attitude towards the rivalry gang changes. 
• The changes symbolize how MOD's and rockers were all the same people, but being part of these subcultures at the time brought a sense of belonging to these people. Some members of the groups only followed their traits to fit in with the current social groups to be a part of society.

Could you make a modern-day version of Quadrophenia? Is there such a definable youth culture as the mods today?

• In my opinion, youth society today has quite a definable youth culture that is feared by the majority of us. We could possibly develop a modern day Quadrophenia, using the Hoodie Horror teens and chavs of Britain. These are both presented negatively in the media as they are portrayed to cause disruption and chaos across the UK.

Youth in the 00's Presentation