What is Wilderness? Different Views in the Movie "Crocodile Dundee"

Dossier / Travail de Séminaire , 2011 , 16 Pages , Note: 2,3

Philologie Anglaise - Culture et Études de pays

In short, the United States Wilderness Act of 1964 defines Wilderness as “[…] an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammelled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.”. However altogether it took ten pages to describe and define Wilderness in said Wilderness Act. Roderick Nash, the author of Wilderness and the American Mind states that the “[…] usual dictionary sense of the word implies hostility on man’s part […]”, and looking at the definition of Wilderness in Webster’s Dictionary supports this statement: “a tract of land, or a region, uncultivated and uninhabited by human beings, whether a forest or a wide, barren plain […].”. Both definitions define wilderness as a place where humans are absent.

The movie Crocodile Dundee, although displaying the bush as a dangerous place also has numerous scenes in which they film the beauty of the bush. So wilderness no longer has to be dangerous, but can be anything people want it to be.
Crocodile Dundee and the extreme change of environment in the movie - from the bush to the city - is an example that can show how different people have different perceptions of wilderness, depending on how and where they grew up: a New York City girl versus a man born and raised in the Australian outback.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Australia (Part 1)
  • Mick Dundee
  • Sue Charleton
  • Hunters
  • Aborigines
• New York (Part 2)
  • Mick Dundee
  • Sue Charlton
  • Richard, the Boyfriend
  • Gus, the Driver
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper examines the concept of wilderness, exploring how different individuals perceive and interact with natural environments. It analyzes the film "Crocodile Dundee" as a case study to illustrate the contrasting perspectives of a New Yorker and a man raised in the Australian outback.

• Defining Wilderness: The paper delves into various interpretations of wilderness, from the traditional view of a human-free environment to the more nuanced understanding of wilderness as a subjective experience influenced by cultural background and personal experiences.
• Cultural Perspectives on Wilderness: The film "Crocodile Dundee" highlights the stark contrast between the urban perspective of Sue Charlton, who views the Australian outback as a dangerous and unfamiliar wilderness, and the perspective of Mick Dundee, who has a deep connection and understanding of the land.
• The Role of Aboriginal Culture: The paper explores the unique perspective of Aboriginal Australians on wilderness, emphasizing their deep connection to the land and their understanding of the natural world.
• Human Impact on Wilderness: The paper touches upon the complex relationship between humans and wilderness, examining issues like the preservation of endangered species, the impact of urbanization on natural environments, and the ethical considerations of human interaction with the wilderness.
• Subjectivity of Wilderness: The paper argues that wilderness is not an objective concept but a subjective experience, shaped by individual perspectives, cultural backgrounds, and personal interactions with nature.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The paper begins by defining wilderness, exploring various interpretations of the term and highlighting the subjective nature of its definition. It then focuses on the Australian outback, analyzing Mick Dundee's relationship with the land and his unique perspective as a white man raised by Aborigines. The chapter also examines Sue Charlton's initial fear and confusion when confronted with the Australian wilderness. Finally, the paper moves on to the second part of the film, set in New York City, analyzing how Dundee's perspective on wilderness is challenged by the urban environment and how he adapts to this new setting.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The paper focuses on the themes of wilderness, cultural perspectives, Aboriginal culture, human impact on wilderness, and the subjectivity of wilderness. It explores these concepts through the lens of the film "Crocodile Dundee," analyzing the contrasting experiences of Mick Dundee and Sue Charlton. Key terms include wilderness, outback, Aborigines, cultural perception, and human-nature interaction.

• Université: Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
• Note: 2,3
• Auteur: Kathrin Metzger (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2011
• Pages: 16
• N° de catalogue: V283548
• ISBN (ebook): 9783656832683
• ISBN (Livre): 9783656831006
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: Wilderness, Crocodile Dundee, Outback, Australia, Mick Dundee