Carl Brashear and Leslie Sunday are the main characters in the movie “Men of honor.” The relationship between the two characters can be explained through functionalism and interactionist. Functionalism sociological perceptive describes how Carl Brashear follows and tries to connect with Leslie Sunday to be able to further his development as a first black American Navy diver. Carl inspires to be the best in the society despite his shortcoming, and as a result, he identifies Sunday as a role model who he can follow in achieving his dream. Moreover, the interactionist social perceptive explains how the two character connects because of career aspirations. Sunday is a famous navy diver who inspired Carl to be one.
Stage 2
Racism has been the primary source of conflict between the main characters and another character. The plot of the movie show evidence of a discriminatory society where the black individuals are despised because of their skin color. In the movie, black people have specific roles, which include working in the kitchen and being officers’ valet while the white individuals are given other better roles such as being navy divers and commanders. As a result, Carl’s determination to be a navy diver causes conflict between him and other characters. Another source of conflict is envy. Carl’s success raised a lot of hostile encounters between him the other white characters.
Stage 3
As the movie ends, there is evidence of symbolic interactionism, where Carl and Sunday build a friendship from their complicated past. They are brought together by the need to prove they can become exceptional individuals despite the difficulties they were facing. Sunday’s life was miserable because he was fired from his job and as a result, turning to be an alcoholic while Carl’s amputation was almost making him give up his career. As a result, the two partnered in an aim of making their lives more meaningful.
Work Cited
Teitel, Robert and Bill Badalato. Men of Honor. Fox 2000 Pictures, 2000.
