Philosophy In The Karate Kid

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In the movie, The Karate Kid, the character Johnny, played by William Zabka along with his gang bullied Daniel, played by Ralph Macchio and the other kids. Johnny also exerted power over the character Ali, played by Elizabeth Shue. Early in the movie, Johnny felt his relationship with Ali was threatened by Daniel. He took Ali’s music box and tried to keep it from her. He then used Ali’s music box as bait to coerce her into talking to him. When she agreed, he threw it to the ground and broke the music box. Daniel attempted to assist Ali and became Johnny’s victim. From that time on, Daniel was physically and mentally abused by Johnny and the gang. Daniel allowed Johnny to wield power over him so much so that Daniel would avoid the gang …show more content…
He was simply following instructions until he came to the realization that he wasn’t learning karate. Shor describes this method as a curriculum that does not challenge the standard syllabus and supports the status quo (Shor 12). However, he really was. The hand and arm motions he was using to do the activities were the same motions used in karate. This method of teaching has minor similarities to Shor’s method of critical democratic pedagogy which is student centered and student empowering (Shor 15,16). Mr. Miyagi taught Daniel about life and experience, which relates to the Shor’s method. Conversely Kresse taught Johnny and the gang by bullying in which he dominated them and suppressed their individuality. This blind acquiescence to the teacher’s wishes was followed even to the point of one student being disqualified in the karate match. I wonder why the parents of these youth allowed this to take place? When Daniel seemed too injured to continue the match, Mr. Miyagi relieved him of any responsibility to continue fighting for him. If Daniel was to continue the fight, it would be his own decision. As we get to the end of the fight, Daniel uses the balancing method taught to him by Mr. Miyagi to win the last
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