Billy Elliot Theme or Issue - Leaving Cert Notes

Billy Elliot

Theme or Issue:

The main themes or issues and Four key moments where the underlying theme or issue is evident:

Change:

The entire film of BE dramatises the topic of change. When can see change in society when the English miners agitate for change in their conditions.

We also confront the theme of change within Billy’s family’s as they come to terms with some harsh realities of life.

Billy’s mother is dead so Jackie, Billy’s father has to adapt and struggle to rear his two sons and look after his own mother as well.

In addition, Jackie is forced to come to terms with the fact that his son is different and wants to become a ballet dancer.

The film shows us how these changes affect the various relationships that are represented.

Human Relationships:

There are many types of relationships depicted in Billy Elliot.

Billy forms a strong relationship in the beginning with Mrs Wilkinson, Billys ballet teacher. She treats him like an adult and forces him to make difficult choices about his future and his possible career as a ballet dancer.

Many of the relationships consistently show tension and frustration, as they show us how the different characters are forced to face up to challenges and difficulties in their environment.

The strong bonds of family and Jackie’s ability to open to his son’s ambitions help Billy to further his career and achieve his desires.

Violence:

From the beginning of Billy Elliot there is a good deal of violence. The miners are on strike and they clash with the police through out the text.

We see how the police are armed with weapons and shields and are prepared for battle with the miners.

Furthermore, the film dramatizes a good deal of verbal violence, This is a characteristic of a culture where poverty and frustration are endemic.

Billy’s brother is particularly violent both physically and verbally as he confronts the police, Billy and even his own father on various occasions. The characters come largely from a tough working-class area and are familiar with constant battles and clashes.

FULL NOTES FOR THEME OR ISSUE

Coming of age and self-discovery

Jackie is forced to come to terms with the fact that his son is different and wants to become a ballet dancer. It is evident that Billy knows what he wants to do. The film depicts this efficiently in the first scene. Billy places the needle on the record player exactly where ‘’I was dancing when I was 12’’ starts, It is clear that it is in Billy’s heart that he wants to be a Ballet dancer. When he comes into the kitchen he uses his entire body to move about, even down to opening the door with his head. His determent attitude is shown again when he says ‘’I don't want a childhood. I want to be a ballet dancer. ‘’ It is clear to us from the get go that Billy knows what he wants, and will sacrifice everything he has to get it.

Gender Issues

Billy antagonizes him with his father with a dream of performing ballet. There is an apparent misogyny in Jackie’s attitude ‘’All right for your Nana, for girls. ‘’ Jackie is depicted as a working class miner, with stereotypical/prejudice views of what a man is supposed to do ‘’Billy. Lads do football... or boxing... or wrestling. Not friggin' ballet. ‘’. “(Macho Values) Jackie cannot see why a straight boy wants to perform ballet. ‘’ballet ain’t just for poof’s y’know’’. The working class background is highlighted in Jackie’s reaction and general attitude to Billy’s ambition and that his best friend, Michael is probably homosexual.

Class Issues

Billy Elliot presents class stereotypes, exploring diverse socio-political realties. The Elliots represent the hardship of working-class miners under Margret Tatcher throughout the 80’s in Northern England. Eveninton being a generic name, subtly depicting ‘’every town’’.  For example Jackie having to burn their piano for fire wood during winter.

In contrast to the Wilkinsons reflect how the middle class is practically unaffected by such political developments (miners on strike), In spite of being the victims of unemployment as well.

Finally the posh Londoners at the Royal Ballet School remain indifferent to what is happening politically at the time.

Unfortunately these class issues are still evident in society today.

Change

Billy’s father, Jackie seems quite obviously reluctant to accept change. Jackie finds out about Billy’s fascination with ballet. Jackie is absolutely prejudice to the concept of a straight boy performing ballet. Billy mentions his desire to apply for the ballet royal ballet school in London. Jackie’s stubborn views are evident when he responds ‘’there are no mines in London. ‘’;’’why on earth would I want to go there’’. However a key scene when Jackie’s bias opinion of Billy performing ballet radically changes is when he asks Mrs. Wilkenson how much it will cost to fund Billy’s audition for the royal ballet school. He sells his deceased wife’s jewelry, convinces the town to hold a raffle, breaks the picket line and returns to work all in order to help his son fulfill his dream.