Group+4

Group 4  **Cynicism vs. Idealism**

The film __Dr. Zhivago__, directed by David Lean, is a story of bitter love between two individuals whose souls are drowned out by the needs of society in a time where cynical views are overshadowed by the government's idealistic thinking. The director seems to suggest that an idealistic society doesn't work because it is human nature to be a little cynical. The theme of cynicism versus idealism is apparent not only is this theme apparent in __Dr. Zhivago__, but it is also apparent in the movie __Walk the Line__, directed by James Mangold, the song "This Ain't a Scene it's an Arms Race" by Fallout Boy, and in the novella __Animal Farm__ by George Orwell. These examples from today's culture are significant because these examples do not just display themes of today or yesterday, but are the themes of tomorrow as well.
 * Introduction/ Thesis:**

II Yuri and his family leave and try to find a new life-- away from the war and the idealistic government. A: The government tries to make life seem very idealistic, where they try to make things seem better than they really are, whereas Yuri sees the government in a cynical way, with a negative attitude and seems to think that he can escape the government by rebelling, which gets him in more trouble. B: The movie __Walk the Line__ relates to Yuri because in the movie, Johnny Cash wanted the best for himself and did not care for others. He left his family behind to pursue his career, similar to how Yuri went to help in the war. There, Cash meets June and realizes that he loves her and they get married. Yuri meets Lara for the first time during the war, although he saw her years earlier. C. Yuri is very cynical because married to Tonya and then she leaves him because she wants Yuri to be with Lara. Because Yuri is cynical, he leaves the city where he escapes the government, therefore keeping him safe. 1. Yuri writes poems about Lara (despite what the government has told them not to do) and goes on with his cynical view of life that he thinks is everyone elses fault, but he really puts in on himself because he does not follow the rules. 2. Victor comes and tells them that they must leave to go to Moscow, but Yuri doesn't go with them because of his cynical views and "he cannot just leave Russia" and lets Lara go; this is one of the few noncynical thing that he did. 3. Years later, Yuri is not in good health. He sees Lara and tries to go after her, but dies in the process, leaving Lara completely oblivious of this fact.

III The only way that Yuri can be truly happy and in love is to be cynical. A. Victor is very cynical-- he is not trying to help anyone but himself most of the time 1. The song, "This Ain't a Scene it's an Arms Race" by Fallout Boy captures the essence of what Victor is all about a: The song explains that "he doesn't really care which side wins, as long as the room keeps singing" is similar to Victor-- he is playing both sides that way he knows that he will not loose. b: He does not get too attatched to any ideas or people and fights for himself. c: In "This Ain't a Scene it's an Arms Race" as long as the room keeps singing their song, then the people are happy. It is the same concept with Victor, as long as things are going in favor of him and people like him, then he is happy.

IV True idealism can never be acheived. A: There will always be cynical people in the world and there is no way to get rid of it. Certain people can try to be idealistic, but most of the time cynics will get in their way. 1. the animals in __Animal Farm__ were very idealistic in the beginning and were excited about the rebellion. 2. Throughout the book, the leaders started to change and they started to act greedy; a cynical trait 3. Napoleon was a cynics pretending to be an idealist which is the most dangerous kind. B: This is the reason why Yuri wasn't ever truly happy-- he was too cynical and it got in his way 1. the only noncynical thing he did was letting Lara go without him to leave Russia.

V **Conclusion** The film __Dr. Zhivago,__ directed by David Lean, illustrates the themes of cynisism and idealism, demonstrating that it is human nature to be cynical, and that a true idealistic society does not exist. __Walk the Line__, directed by James Mangold, the song "This Ain't a Scene it's an Arms Race" by Fallout Boy, and in the novella __Animal Farm__ by George Orwell demonstrate the same timeless theme.