Rebel Without A Cause

The opening of the film shows Jim Stark, a drunken teen, lying on a street with his toy monkey. The monkey is a symbol that Jim is still immature and innocent on some level. He is picked up by the authorities and taken to the police station’s juvenile division. Jim’s family unit consists of a weak, ineffectual father who cow-tows to his domineering wife who is concerned only with social aspirations and acceptance. They live in a well-to-do middle-class suburb of Los Angeles. They arrive at the station embarrassed and upset they had to leave their fancy country club dinner. Jim is alienated and confused and he blames his parents constant arguments for the situation. He perceives his father as a “chicken” for taking his mother’s abuse, something he refuses to be among his peers. Jim admits they move often because they think it will resolve his habitual behavior of “messing up.” The only really responsible adult portrayed in this film which glamorizes teenage angst is Ray, a caring juvenile-offender officer. Jim explains the situation to Ray:

Jim: They think they can protect me by mov

. . .
Some common words found in the essay are:
Jim Called, Plato Ray, Judy Yes, Los Angeles, Jim Stark, Rebel Cause, Judy Judy, Ray Judy, Ray Jim, Jim Whaddya, tells ray, family unit, police station, ray father, ray judy, ray tells, maid tells, lipstick judy, rebel cause,
Approximate Word count = 1073
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page)