When we watch Marty, we're watching a community that's on the way out. As the European immigrant era of the Bronx draws to a close in the 1960s, these Italian- and Irish-Americans will make their way north or south or east, or out of the city altogether. (Head to the "Setting" section for more on this.)
The specific community makeup that Marty portrays—from family judgment to the tight-knit nature of the neighborhood to the look and feel of the Bronx—isn't long for this world. And knowing that as we watch makes us pay special attention to the codes of class and habit of a society about to disappear.
Questions about Society and Class
- Marty seems self-conscious that he never got to go to college, while Clara went to NYU. Are there other differences between the two lovers' backgrounds that might get in the way?
- While Angie, Joe, Ralph, George, and Herb are eager to look at girlie mags and treat women like commodities, Marty, who comes from the same kind of background, doesn't. How come?
- How are the opinions of characters like Teresa and Catherine tied to community and tradition?
- What did you learn about the social scene of the Bronx? How is it different from your own experiences at dances, in school, or just hanging out with pals?
Chew on This
Marty is a product of his neighborhood, and so is satisfied with being a butcher and nothing more.
Clara models the way that society is changing, with her advancement in teaching and bucking gender stereotypes.