Characterization

Ella and George Khan, a married couple, are two

protagonists in the film “east is east[B1]” which was

published [B2]1999[B3]. The story is set in Salford, Great

Britain in the early 1970’s. At first, I will start with

the personal attributes[B4] of George Khan.

Georg[B5] Khan is a pakistani[B6]person[B7] and owner of a Fish and Ships shop [B8]in Salford. He is married with[B9] Ella Khan, who is native born in Great Britain[B10], and has seven children with her. George Khan is the

acknowledged head of the Khan family and

especially his appearance supports his position in

the family. For instance, George has short black

hair, a moustache and a scarred face whereby he

appears very authoritarian and nearly scary. In

contact with his family, he acts very strictly

and does not accept western customs in his

house. Furthermore, he tries to maintain the[B11]

Pakistani traditions and expect[B12] from his children that theyadjust their life to the pakistani[B13] way of life.Particularly when Nazir left the family because he should marry [B14]a Pakistani women[B15], Georg[B16] Khan

reacts very close-minded [B17]due to the fact that he [B18][B19]

does not regard Nazir as his son anymore. Goerg [B20]

Khan also appears very seriously[B21] and reserved,

because he has the opinion that he has to lead his

children on[B22] the right path, [B23]which is the pakistani[B24]

way of life.When[B25] Georg Khan recognized[B26] that

most of his children will not live a life based on

Pakistani traditions and customs, he becomes very angry and violent. Especially this situation shows Georg Khan’s will to keep the Pakistani culture in his family, which does not succeed[B27].

In contrast to Georg Khan, Ella Khan is a very

insightful and warm-hearted person who tries to

keep the family together. Ella was born in Great

Britain and married later [B28]Georg [B29]Khan who came

from Pakistan. Due to the fact that Ella grew up in

a liberal and democratic state, she has problems

accepting all Pakistani traditions, for example the[B30]

circumcision. Moreover, Ella Khan has the opinion

that her children have to choose their own path of

life and make their own decision which[B31] leads to

conflicts between George and Ella.

Although[B32], she attempts to talk at[B33] Georg about his

inappropriate behaviour towards their children.

The[B34] relationship between Ella and her children is

quite good, because she allows their children a

free hand in planning their life which George Khan

would never allow them.At first, Ella Khan appears as a shy and reserved person due to the fact that she does not want to argue with Georg[B35], later she begins to fight against the behaviour of George [B36]which leads to an[B37] huge conflict.

All in all the two characters differ in many

thinks[B38], especially in reference to the abidance of [B39]

religious rules and customs which make[B40] it hard to

maintain their relationship.

[B1]East is East

[B2]released

[B3]in

[B4]better: characteristics

[B5]George

[B6]Pakistani

[B7]immigrant

[B8]fish and chips shop

[B9]to

[B10]an Englishwoman

[B11]no article

[B12]expects

[B13]see above

[B14]was to marry

[B15]woman

[B16]see above

[B17]reacted in a very narrow-minded way

[B18]and as a result does not accept Nazir …

[B19]

[B20]George

[B21]serious

[B22]onto

[B23]no comma

[B24]see above

[B25]New paragraph !

[B26]recognizes

[B27]but he does not succeed

[B28]word order!

[B29]see above

[B30]no article!

[B31]Satzlogik! This leads …

[B32]Logik! However / Nevertheless

[B33]to

[B34]New paragraph!

[B35]see above

[B36]George's behaviour

[B37]a

[B38]things, better: ways

[B39]Sprachebene = too formal! better: with regard to following religious rules …

[B40]makes for them