Scorsese and Redemption
Scorsese and Redemption
The protagonists in Scorsese’s films are seeking for redemption. Their reasons for trying to wipe their moral slate clean vary. To find each characters reason for seeking redemption, one must understand their psyche. While each character’s psychological need for redemption differs, they fail to achieve their redemption.
In Scorsese’s Raging Bull, Jake La Motta seeks redemption through his quest for the title. In his mind, if he proves to himself and his doubters he can win the belt he will feel no longer feel guilty about the way he has treated Vickie and Joey. Jake’s need to win the title and prove himself as a man stems from his impotence and inability to please his wife. While he uses the fact that he wants to keep his testosterone levels high, his insecurity about his ability in the bed manifests itself through his repeated accusations of unfaithfulness. These accusations make Jake’s inability to perform apparent, as simple statements such as Vickie claiming that another fighter has a pretty face set him off. Jake also asks Vickie if she ever thinks of anyone else while they have sex, and he repeatedly asks her if she is interested in Salvy. Even when Tommy Como comes to wish Jake luck in his hotel room, Jake questions Vickie regarding the way she treated Tommy. All of these cues demonstrate Jake’s insecurity about his inability to perform in bed. Jake and Joey are under the impression that once La Motta wins the title and becomes champ that everything will change because he will have proved his worth; it does not. As a result, Jake seeks redemption through another medium, by taking beatings in the ring. He believes that the beatings will make him feel something, they will make up for the pain he has caused others, while simultaneously proving his manhood.
Jake’s efforts to be redeemed prove fruitless. Once he retires and settles his divorce, he has the epiphany that his actions have only caused pain for himself and others. He realizes his wrongdoings