An Analysis Of The Identity Construction In Spike Lee’s Films

Spike Lee is one of the most distinguished black filmmakers in the American film industry.Most of his works tackle racial issues,including racial relations and violent conflicts caused by racial tension.Drawing upon Stuart Hall’s seminal work on cultural identity and cinematic representation,this thesis selects three representative films of Lee from different periods to analyze the identity construction of main characters from three respective angles:the black community,interracial intimacy and working relations.First,in light of significant relationship between individuals and communities,it takes the identity construction of the three main characters in Do the Right Thing（1989）as an example to analyze the identity confusion under the binary opposition.Mookie,to some extent,gets rid of the negative images imposed on the black community while Buggin’ Out and Radio Raheem pursue oneness in the identity construction,which eventually leads to the escalation of racial conflicts into violence.Then in the context of interracial dialogue,this chapter analyzes the cultural identity in Jungle Fever（1991）from the perspective of interracial intimacy.The characters have gradually walked out of the identity confusion under the binary opposition,but the recognition of difference in identity construction is still insufficient.Finally,from the perspective of working relations,this chapter discusses how Stallworth recognizes the hybrid identity in the process of constant negotiation in Blac Kk Klansman（2018）.Three representative works from different periods reflect Spike Lee’s persistent exploration and dynamic thoughts on the identity construction of the black.In the context of an increasingly plural world,it is difficult or even impossible for a person to maintain a singular form of identity.