Stand by me is a film containing many themes one of which is maturity. The film is based around a story of four boys aged 12 going on a life changing journey before school returns and they go their different ways. Along this journey they encounter disagreements and hesitation showing their true age.
Scene 12 Lollypop I don't want to be a writer https://gippslandgs-my.sharepoint.com/personal/zh_gippslandgs_vic_edu_au/_layouts/15/stream.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Fzh%5Fgippslandgs%5Fvic%5Fedu%5Fau%2FDocuments%2FDocuments%2FEnglish%2010%2FStand%20By%20Me%20clips%2FScene%2012%20Lollypop%20I%20don%27t%20want%20to%20be%20a%20writer%2Emov&referrer=StreamWebApp%2EWeb&referrerScenario=AddressBarCopied%2Eview%2E473814bd%2D202f%2D4912%2Db694%2Da90f4a64712a
In this scene Gordie and Chris are walking along the railway line as Gordie expresses his feeling for not wanting to be a writer or at least that is what his dad is making him think. In that moment Chris decided to stand up to Gordie and tell him that he has a true talent in writing. This shows Chris willing to take responsibility for Gordie showing how mature he is. Reiner has deliberately shot at a slight low angle to make Chris look bigger than Gordie as he tells him what is best for him and that he has his support, although Chris may be a little bit taller than him generally the angle shows Chris being more dominant/demanding. Vern and Teddy put the conversation between Chris and Gordie in perspective because they are talking about mickey mouse and superman.
On the other hand this scene shows the ‘cobras’ playing letter box baseball driving around town. This is potentially what the four boys may end up as if they had followed the path they were on and the levels on immaturity the older boys are at. The scene is played out as a wide shot showing all the boys that were involved and sitting in the car. This is significant because it portrays how the boys could have not turned around their lives and just continued in their small town
Scene 20 Back to Castle Rock Chris and Gordie last conversation and narration about death https://gippslandgs-my.sharepoint.com/personal/zh_gippslandgs_vic_edu_au/_layouts/15/stream.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Fzh%5Fgippslandgs%5Fvic%5Fedu%5Fau%2FDocuments%2FDocuments%2FEnglish%2010%2FStand%20By%20Me%20clips%2FScene%2020%20Back%20to%20Castle%20Rock%20Chris%20and%20Gordie%20last%20conversation%20and%20narration%20about%20death%2Emov&referrer=StreamWebApp%2EWeb&referrerScenario=AddressBarCopied%2Eview%2E71558e0d%2D21ab%2D4efd%2D92e4%2De04f14bdc934
This scene is a over the shoulder shot of Chris and Gordie standing talking about Gordies final decision to go to collage showing how since the train track scene he has come to realise that what his dad has been telling him is wrong and that Chris’ maturity was able to pull Gordie towards truly following his desire to be a writer. Not only is it Chris’ support for Gordie but it is also Gordies support for Chris, Gordie convinced Chris to turn his life and go to collage with him and he and he ends up getting a lawyers degree.
Text to text
The themes of maturity in stand by me can be compared to stranger things a more recent show that contained many coming of age elements. Both stories follow a group of young friends who face extraordinary circumstances that force them to grow up quickly. In stranger things they confront terrifying creatures and government conspiracies, but the heart of the series lies in their emotional development. Like in Stand by Me, the characters work with personal trauma, unstable friendships, and some realisation that their childhood is slipping away. Both narratives emphasize that the journey to maturity is tough by highlighting the universal struggle of leaving innocence behind while facing the realities of the adult world.
TEXT TO SELF
I remember when I was about 9/10 it was just my brother and I home because mum and dad were away in Melbourne and it was in winter so we had our fire going. My brother was out the back splitting firewood with the axe and just as i was walking out to help him his swing missed and it had cut all across his calf and shin and couldn’t move because of the pain. I took off my shirt and used it as a bandage while i quickly run inside to grab his phone to call a ambulance and grab the first aid kit. Once i was back outside i was still on the phone to the paramedic and she guided me through what to do and about 15 minutes later the ambulance arrived. Although i was assisted by the paramedic I was basically doing it by my self this made me realise that it is so easy for things to go wrong in normal day to day activities and had definitely helped my growth because I now realise the dangers in all casual activities.
TEXT TO WORLD
The theme of maturity in stand by me can be seen in real-life stories of young people who are growing up fast because of tough situations. For example, news stories about climate Change protesters, like Gretta Thunburg, show how teens are taking on big responsibilities, similar to the boys in the movie. These youth are standing up to world leaders and fighting for change, even though they’re still in school. Just like in stand by me they’re forced to deal with serious problems, which makes them grow up faster than they expected. This shows that sometimes, maturity happens when life throws big challenges at you.