Subject: RE: More problems....
From: Kerry O'Keeffe (cb186@city.ac.uk)
Date: Mon Mar 03 1997 - 15:11:04 GMT
On Sun, 2 Mar 1997, Jim Venturi wrote:
> Is Travis Bickle sane? Is the movie have really an anti-Vietnam
> statement? Does Nam drive Bickle insane and like many stories, we have
> created something that comes back to bite us. He goes after the
> politician (the phoney) because of what they did re: Nam. This is my
> own theory.
>
> Do you think Travis Bickle is similar to Holden Caufield. I mean his
> relationship with Jodie Foster and all.
At the risk of upsetting some people because we are not talking about
what Salinger's favourite sock colour is or something, Ill give my opinion
on Taxi Driver. Before I do, I must explain that Im not a Catcher
carrying lunatic or anything, rather a polite young thing who just happens
to have a certain taste in things. I personally doubt if Bickle's motives
in trying to kill Palentine are anything as deep rooted as anger at the
Vietnam situation. For instance his attitiude towards the type of people
who live in communes (remember the conversation with Iris in the cafe?) is
pretty negative which kind of gave me the impression that hes not one for
protesting. I do think a little of the reason is to do with having a stab
at the bullshit of politicians, but I think its mainly due to his being
spurned by Betsy that makes him target Palentine in paticular. After all
why attack someone who isnt even in office yet?
I guess no-one in their right mind could class Bickle as sane, but
having said that we always confronted in the news with people killing
others out of hatred or for money and yet their sanity is not such a big
issue. Bickle killed a mafioso, a robber and pimps, hardly people who
just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time like so many are.
I guess he just sees himself as a Guardian Angel figure.
As for the similarity between Holden and the prostitute I tend to think
of them as quite different acts. Holden's is purely out of frustration
whereas Bickle I think feels he has to save Iris from her situation.
Anyway, let me know what you think about that.
Regards,
Kerry.
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