Storytelling Output Report

for

"Boyz N The Hood"

ANALYSIS INFORMATION:

 

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General Storytelling:	Majority Complete
Act Order Storytelling:	Signposts Only
Character List:	Major Characters
Build Characters:	Partial

 

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Author:		John Singleton
Analysis sources:		Source Material: Film
Genre:		Urban Drama
Setting:		South Central, Los Angeles
Period:		Contemporary
Analysis by:		C. Ron Dawson, Jr.; Katharine E. Monahan Huntley; J.D. Cochran

Comments:

"Boyz N the Hood" examines African American familial relationships in an urban ghetto. The film is a good example of a how a Success/Good story can still have a downbeat tone. The Objective Story Goal and Concern of Future is well illustrated, as well as The Problem of Temptation for the Objective and Main Character Throughlines.

There is an extensive cast list, with few assigned characteristics.

Brief Synopsis:

The story of young African Americans growing up in the tough inner city neighborhoods of Los Angeles, trying their best to survive and/or get outta the hood.

Name: Tre
ID: Main Character
Gender: Male
Description:

Soft-spoken young man with a strong sense of loyalty to family and friends; ambitious; intelligent

Role: Son|
Characteristics:

Purpose: Thought; Change

Name: Furious
ID: Impact Character
Gender: Male
Description:

Intelligent, strong sense of responsibility

Role: Tre's Father
Characteristics:

Methodology: Certainty
Purpose: Knowledge

Name: Brandi
Gender: Female
Description:

Moral; ambitious; intelligent

Role: Tre's girlfriend

Name: Brenda Baker
Gender: Female
Description:

Favors Rick over Doughboy; sassy; tough

Role: Doughboy and Rick's mom

Name: Doughboy
Gender: Male
Description:

Ricky's streetwise, hustler brother; close friend of Tre

Role: Ricky's brother
Characteristics:

Methodology: Reaction
Evaluation: Unending
Purpose: Inertia

Name: Ferris
Gender: Male
Description:

One of Ricky's killers

Role: Hoodlum
Characteristics:

Motivation: Reconsider; Logic; Conscience; Control

Name: Monster
Gender: Male
Description:

Hustler

Role: Doughboy's friend

Name: Reva Styles
Gender: Female
Description:

Ambitious; understanding

Role: Tre's Mom
Characteristics:

Methodology: Potentiality

Name: Ricky
Gender: Male
Description:

Aspiring football star; teen father striving to get into college

Role: Tre's best friend
Characteristics:

Motivation: Oppose

Name: The Police
Gender: Male
Form: Plural
Role: Law Enforcement
Characteristics:

Motivation: Consider; Temptation; Feeling; Uncontrolled

Nature as it relates to Actual Dilemma:

Tre is faced with an actual dilemma; his decision to get out of the car and not participate in the murderous revenge against Ricky's killers prevents him from becoming part of the same vicious cycle of death and violence as his friends.

Essence as it relates to Negative Feel:

Furious raises Tre to avoid temptations such as easy money acquired from selling drugs, stealing material goods, and engaging in unprotected sex; Ricky avoids the temptation of Doughboy's way of life by applying for a football scholarship; Brandi tries to avoid the negative consequences having sex with her boyfriend may bring; the feeling in the hood becomes more oppressive with the increase of gangs, murder scenes, gunshots, racist police, and patrolling helicopters.

Tendency as it relates to Unwilling:

As a child, Tre is unwilling to adhere to the contract he and his mother agreed upon-the temptation to act up in class is too great; he is unwilling to do chores at his house; he doesn't want to comply with Brandi's wish to wait until marriage to have sex; he doesn't want to stay home when his father urges him not to go with his friends on the revenge hunt; and Tre is ultimately unwilling to go along with his friends when they seek revenge for Ricky's death.

Reach as it relates to Both:

Both women and men will empathize with Tre, an individual trying to break the cycle of despair that exists for him in the hood.

Main Character Resolve as it relates to Change:

It is in Tre's nature to look for the easy way out; his decision not to seek revenge against the gang members that wasted Ricky is indicative of his resolve to change.

Impact Character Resolve as it relates to Steadfast:

Main Character Growth as it relates to Stop:

Tre must stop giving into the temptation to act before he thinks. He needs to look at the possible consequences of his actions.

Main Character Approach as it relates to Do-er:

Tre looks for physical solutions to his problems: As a kid he gets into a fight with his classmate without regard to the consequences; he tries to coax his girlfriend, Brandi, into bed without thinking it through; after his run-in with the police, his first instinct is to high-tail it out of LA; when Ricky is murdered, he rushes to seek revenge without stopping to think about the consequences until after he's in the car with Doughboy and the gang.

Main Character Problem-Solving Style as it relates to Logical:

Tre tends to view problems in a linear way, without considering the big picture. In his relationship with Brandi, he wants to take the immediate step of having sex with her, without regard to the consequences that could adversely affect their relationship. For example, Brandi could become pregnant, impeding their college plans and creating a financial struggle to maintain an income necessary to provide for a child. When Tre seeks revenge for the death of his friend, he does not immediately recognize the action will also put himself in danger.

Story Driver as it relates to Decision:

The story deals with the decisions kids must make while growing up in the hood, and how every decision they make impacts their lives.

Story Limit as it relates to Optionlock:

There is an indefinite amount of time to choose a finite number of options to get outta the hood.

Story Outcome as it relates to Success:

Tre and Brandi get outta the hood.

Story Judgment as it relates to Good:

Tre survives life in the hood and attends Morehouse College with Brandi across the way at Spelman.

Overall Story Name: "Surviving the Hood"

Throughline Synopsis:

Life in the hood is the reality of children raised by single parents, (some virtually children themselves) under the adverse circumstances of violence and poverty.

Backstory:

Throughline as it relates to Situation:

Everyone in the hood is stuck in a bleak situation that appears hopeless (e.g. violent crime, drugs, harassment by the police, and so forth).

Concern as it relates to The Future:

During his gentrification speech in Compton, Furious points out to Tre, Rick, and the others they must start thinking about their future; as parents, Furious and Reva are concerned for their son's future; Brandi is concerned with her future college education; Rick is concerned about his future in college and football; Tre is concerned with his future in college and a future with Brandi; Brenda Baker is concerned for her son Rick's future, and believes her son Doughboy's future is hopeless.

Issue as it relates to Choice :

The story explores the choices that everyone in the hood makes: does one "go to blows" over a wisecrack remark or delay until cooled off; Tre and Brandi must choose to give in to sexual desires or wait until marriage; Ricky must decide whether to join the army for college funding now, or wait and see if he is accepted to USC.

Counterpoint as it relates to Delay :

Thematic Conflict as it relates to Choice vs. Delay:

Problem as it relates to Temptation:

Everyone is tempted by sex, drugs, easy money, and the power generated from violence and vengeance. Tre is tempted by sex; Ricky dreams of becoming a football player but doesn't take into account the necessity of academics, which tempts him to forego taking the SAT test and join the army for college funds; Doughboy is tempted by power and money; all these temptations directly or indirectly lead to problems for the characters.

Solution as it relates to Conscience:

Foregoing the immediate benefits of engaging in unprotected sex, easy money earned by selling drugs, or stealing because of future consequences, will solve the Objective Story problem.

Symptom as it relates to Feeling:

Brandi is upset that Tre does not respect her wish to wait until marriage to have sex; Brenda feels only one of her sons has a chance at a viable future; Ricky doesn't feel he can pass the SAT test; Tre's emotions come into play when he sees evidence of the horrors of the hood, for example, a baby crawls into traffic because her mother is too high on crack to notice; when Tre walks across the street in front of his own house, a car pulls up and a shotgun is put in his face; he and Rick are unjustly harassed by the cops; and so forth.

Response as it relates to Logic:

Brandi uses logic when she explains to Tre her reasons for wanting to wait until marriage before having sex; Brenda uses logic with Ricky to reason why he and his girlfriend should temper their sexual feelings for each other to avoid having another child; it is logical to Reva that Furious is the only one who can teach their son to be a man; Furious asks people to use their logic to see how gentrification pushes African Americans out of their neighborhoods; college is a logical way out of the hood; and so forth.

Catalyst as it relates to Delay:

When Ricky stops to relieve himself, the gang members catch up with him in the alley; when Doughboy and friends put off looking for Ricky's killers to stop and eat, they happen to run into the killers.

Inhibitor as it relates to Dream:

Doughboy and his cronies dream about living the hustler lifestyle, which keeps them from looking for success in positive ways.

Benchmark as it relates to The Past:

Reva informs Furious that women have shouldered the responsibility for raising boys to men for many years; Furious rants that the current plight of the black man in this country is a result of not learning from the past.

Goal as it relates to The Future:

Everyone wants a better future, especially for Tre, in or out of the hood.

Consequence as it relates to Innermost Desires:

Tre and his friends will have to face the daily fear and violence in the hood if they don't achieve their future goals.

Cost as it relates to Changing One's Nature:

Some "boyz" become crippled (Chris) or dead (Rick). Ricky becomes a teen father; in trying to become a man, Tre tells a lie to his father that he regrets; Reva becomes a part-time mother.

Dividend as it relates to Obtaining:

Tre's job allows him to buy nice clothes; Ricky has a son he adores; Furious achieves a certain amount of pride for raising Tre, a responsibility that many men would shun.

Requirements as it relates to The Past:

To reach a goal in the future, the "boyz" (and girls) in the hood need to listen to their parents and avoid the past situations with which they had to grapple.

Prerequisites as it relates to Memories:

Kids in the hood need to recall specific events and situations in their and others' past that they can use as examples of what or what not to do for their future. For instance, they need to study to advance their education, they need to avoid the temptations of the hood, and they need to listen to their parents and learn from their experiences.

Preconditions as it relates to Developing a Plan:

The "boyz" are reminded of what has happened in the past and told to visualize what needs to happen to achieve their goal of the future: Ricky's mother asks him to imagine the impact having another child will make on his future, and makes it clear that SHE doesn't want to raise another child of his; Furious must visualize how to raise his son to be a man; and so forth.

Forewarnings as it relates to Understanding:

Reva wants her son to understand the reason she is allowing Furious to raise him is to avoid a future in jail, as a drunk, or dead; Furious and Brandi understand that if Tre seeks retaliation for Ricky's death, negative consequences will occur; Doughboy understands his actions may very well lead to an early demise; a young Doughboy and Chris don't understand the consequences of stealing.

Main vs. Impact Story Name: "Raising a Man"

Throughline Synopsis:

Tre and Furious conflict over the strict way Furious is raising him, compared to the "freedom" Tre sees his friends enjoying.

Backstory:

Throughline as it relates to Fixed Attitude:

Tre and Furious come into conflict over Furious' strict guidelines for Tre's upbringing.

Concern as it relates to Innermost Desires:

Tre and Furious come into conflict over Tre succumbing to his basic drives and desires, such as sex without protection and seeking revenge.

Issue as it relates to Dream :

At times, Furious' passionate dream of African Americans taking control of their life makes Tre uncomfortable.

Counterpoint as it relates to Hope :

Thematic Conflict as it relates to Dream vs. Hope:

Problem as it relates to Uncontrolled:

Any uncontrolled situation such as unprotected sex, or Tre putting his life in danger, is the source of problems between Tre and Furious.

Solution as it relates to Control:

Furious has to teach his son self-control in order to save him from dangerous situations that include possible death.

Symptom as it relates to Feeling:

Although his love for Tre is evident, Furious conceals his feelings and uses strict disciplinary measures, so as not to spoil his son.

Response as it relates to Logic:

Furious takes the only logical approach he knows to raise his son, which is often hard on Tre.

Catalyst as it relates to Hope:

Furious' hopes for his son puts a lot of pressure on Tre.

Inhibitor as it relates to Choice:

Tre's decision to get an after school job and to pay attention to his studies decreases conflict with Furious.

Benchmark as it relates to Memories:

Tre and Furious measure the growth of their relationship by how well Tre remembers and follows his father's words and examples, and how well Furious remembers what it is like to be a young black man growing up in the hood.

Role: Son

Description:

Soft-spoken young man with a strong sense of loyalty to family and friends; ambitious; intelligent

Throughline Synopsis:

Tre must struggle with the temptations life in the hood offers, and the straight and narrow path his father insists he follow.

Backstory:

Throughline as it relates to Activity:

Tre endeavors to survive while trying to get out of the hood.

Concern as it relates to Obtaining:

Tre wants to obtain a college education; achieve sexual intimacy with Brandi; keep his friendships with the "boyz" in the hood.

Issue as it relates to Morality :

Tre doesn't have sex because he is afraid of becoming a father; at Brenda's bbq he suggests "ladies first."

Counterpoint as it relates to Self Interest :

Thematic Conflict as it relates to Morality vs. Self Interest:

Problem as it relates to Temptation:

Tre is tempted to follow the ways of his friends, regardless of the consequences.

Solution as it relates to Conscience:

En route to avenging Rick's death with Doughboy, Dookey, and Monster, Tre gets out of the car because he knows the immediate benefit of vengeance may lead to the consequence his own death (as it ultimately did for Doughboy).

Symptom as it relates to Disbelief:

Tre doesn't believe the situation in the hood is going to change.

Response as it relates to Faith:

Tre attempts to have faith in his father's teachings.

Unique Ability as it relates to Self Interest:

Tre concentrates on studying for college; when he and Ricky are chased, they split up-which gives Tre a better chance of surviving the gang member's fury; and so forth.

Critical Flaw as it relates to Responsibility:

Tre's feeling of responsibility for his friends could undermine his chance for a future.

Benchmark as it relates to Understanding:

The more Tre understands the desperate situation of life in the hood, the more determined he is to break out of it.

Role: Tre's Father

Description:

Intelligent, strong sense of responsibility

Throughline Synopsis:

Furious undertakes the responsibility of raising his son under adverse circumstances, i.e., in the hood. He is able to guide him through the obstacles of temptation to a future that promises a college education and marriage to a "nice, Catholic girl."

Backstory:

Throughline as it relates to Manipulation:

Furious is able to manipulate his ex-wife into relinquishing Tre to him for his upbringing; his manner of thinking influences Tre to follow a path different from his friends and garners respect from those who listen to him.

Concern as it relates to Changing One's Nature:

Furious is concerned with becoming a good father for his son and a good role model for all the "boyz" in the hood.

Issue as it relates to Responsibility :

Furious believes he is best suited to raising Tre, and is committed to the community.

Counterpoint as it relates to Commitment :

Thematic Conflict as it relates to Responsibility vs. Commitment:

Problem as it relates to Hinder:

Furious hinders Tre's efforts to be like his friends.

Solution as it relates to Help:

Furious' lectures help Tre's goal of becoming a responsible man.

Symptom as it relates to Feeling:

Furious has strong feelings on what is right or wrong, and imposes them upon Tre.

Response as it relates to Logic:

Furious uses logic to help Tre develop mentally as well as physically.

Unique Ability as it relates to Commitment:

Furious is committed to raising his son, despite the fact that he is a single father. His overwhelming commitment to Tre has the biggest effect on Tre's life.

Critical Flaw as it relates to Morality:

Furious' overwhelming sense of morality can be a turn off for Tre and his friends, inhibiting his influence on them. He's often too "preachy."

Benchmark as it relates to Developing a Plan:

Furious is able to judge how successful he is in raising his son by how closely Tre conforms to his conception of a responsible man.

The Overall Throughline Act Order:

Overall Story Signpost 1 as it relates to The Present:

Everybody is concerned with how things stand in the hood; what is taught in the inner city elementary schools is not relevant to the world of inner city children; kids scoff at Furious' offer to pay $5 to rake his lawn, knowing that they can make more money otherwise; life in the hood is volatile and violent with a high crime and a slow police response rate.

Overall Story Journey 1 from The Present to How Things are Changing:

Overall Story Signpost 2 as it relates to How Things are Changing:

From the time Tre and his friends are children until they are teens, no progress toward a stable environment in the hood has been made; Tre is concerned with his progress with Brandi; Ricky is concerned with getting into college on a football scholarship; and so forth.

Overall Story Journey 2 from How Things are Changing to The Past:

Overall Story Signpost 3 as it relates to The Past:

Brenda is sure Ricky will obtain a football scholarship, as he never was without a football as a child; Brandi lets go of her past resolution to wait until after marriage to have sex; Tre is faced with the past when he is harassed by the same cop who aggravated his father years ago; no one in the hood is learning from the past, as the violence goes on day after day.

Overall Story Journey 3 from The Past to The Future:

Overall Story Signpost 4 as it relates to The Future:

Ricky is concerned with having a future, instead of living the dead-end life his brother leads; Furious and Reva discuss their son's future; and so forth.

The Main vs. Impact Throughline Act Order:

Main vs. Impact Story Signpost 1 as it relates to Memories:

Furious asks Tre to recall the house rules; Furious recollects how he felt about being a teen father, and how he wanted to be someone Tre could look up to; Furious makes Tre commit to memory the three rules to follow in order to become a leader.

Main vs. Impact Story Journey 1 from Memories to Impulsive Responses:

Main vs. Impact Story Signpost 2 as it relates to Impulsive Responses:

When Furious asks Tre about his sex life, Tre impulsively makes up a story about he and a girl to appear "macho" for his father. Furious reprimands Tre for not using condoms during sex. (Not a problem, since Tre lied about his sexual encounter.)

Main vs. Impact Story Journey 2 from Impulsive Responses to Innermost Desires:

Main vs. Impact Story Signpost 3 as it relates to Innermost Desires:

In his gentrification speech, Tre learns from Furious why as African Americans they must resolve to unite, instead of fighting and killing each other-and eventually wiping out their race.

Main vs. Impact Story Journey 3 from Innermost Desires to Contemplation:

Main vs. Impact Story Signpost 4 as it relates to Contemplation:

After a discussion with Furious why seeking revenge against Ricky's killers would be a poor course of action to take, Tre, fully aware of the detrimental consequences, still joins his friends in the endeavor.

The Main Character Throughline Act Order:

Main Character Signpost 1 as it relates to Gathering Information:

Tre learns that breaking the contract he agreed to with his mother means his father is to raise him; Tre learns life with father includes adhering to strict rules and regulations; to be a leader means learning three rules: always look a person in the eye, don't be afraid to ask your father for anything, don't respect anyone who doesn't respect you.

Main Character Journey 1 from Gathering Information to Obtaining:

Main Character Signpost 2 as it relates to Obtaining:

Tre is concerned with obtaining sexual experience.

Main Character Journey 2 from Obtaining to Understanding:

Main Character Signpost 3 as it relates to Understanding:

After the violence on the street and the harassment by cops, Tre comprehends the desolation of his living situation; Tre understands he can open up and share his emotions with Brandi, and still be a man.

Main Character Journey 3 from Understanding to Doing:

Main Character Signpost 4 as it relates to Doing:

Tre sets out to avenge Ricky's death.

The Impact Character Throughline Act Order:

Impact Character Signpost 1 as it relates to Playing a Role:

Furious is concerned with fulfilling the role of a good father.

Impact Character Journey 1 from Playing a Role to Changing One's Nature:

Impact Character Signpost 2 as it relates to Changing One's Nature:

Furious does not want to become a grandfather before his time.

Impact Character Journey 2 from Changing One's Nature to Conceiving an Idea:

Impact Character Signpost 3 as it relates to Conceiving an Idea:

Furious shares his ideas about gentrification with Tre, Rick, and others. To avoid gentrification, he comes up with the idea of keeping everything in their neighborhoods black-owned.

Impact Character Journey 3 from Conceiving an Idea to Developing a Plan:

Impact Character Signpost 4 as it relates to Developing a Plan:

Furious realizes that it is too late to implement any ideas he may have to prevent his son from seeking revenge for Ricky's death.

All Concerns:

As part of becoming a good father, Furious is vigilant in guiding Tre on how to deal with his basic drives and desires. This guidance is invaluable for Tre as he sets about obtaining a future out of the hood.