GRAN TORINO Gran Torino is undoubtedly more than a car. It was the pride and joy of its owner – Walt

Walt got Thao a job and bought tools

Home From War Walt a retired automobile worker and veteran of the Korean War was deeply troubled and haunted by the ravages and memories of war. To him the only thing he lived for was his wife whom he loved dearly, then she died and his life took a miserably ugly turn The family saw him as being disappointed Walt wanted nothing top do with anybody He even wrote off the minister of the community

Other members of Family Walt had two sons but there was never a father-son relationship Walt was never close to his sons He did not know how to It bothered him

A Son tried On Walt’s birthday one son and wife visited They wanted to show Dad that they cared. They had a variety of gifts. One of the gifts turned Walt off

A Son visited contd. Perhaps they knew Dad was not physically well, they offered brochures of something like senior citizen home. Walt was furious and threw them out He no doubt they wanted his house and whatever he had.

Other Problems Apart from the memories of the killings and the conflicts, Walt battled with:- – Prejudices – Hatred …. He did not like his neighbors – Selfishness – Lonliness – Culture – Gangs, etc

Different Encounters Walt on several occasions was caught in conflicts with gangs He particularly did not like these gang member and more so because of who they were. As much as Walt was so grumpy and hated his neighbors, he also hated when anyone was taken disadvantage of

Different Encounters contd After sometime Walt showed interest towards a youngster maybe because his cousin was bent on getting him (Thao) in the gang The youngster Thao went to steal Walt’s Gran Torino as initiation to a gang A furious Walt grabbed his shot gun and warded off the would be thief Walt seems to be caught up in the happenings of this environment

Walt toughens up his Friend Thao

Different Encounters He is breaking up fights Preventing would be gang rape etc, etc Unfortunately Thao’s sister Sue was brutally beaten and Walt was not around – Walt enraged

One Good Deed deserves another For being a good Sammerithan, Walt was showered with all sorts of gifts from food to flowers. These acts of kindness had some effects and on top of all these the minister was especially nice to Walt Father Janovich was only carrying out a promise he made to Walts dying wife

Transformation One could say Walt was a new man He comingled with most of the people he hated Sue and her brother Thao became very close to Walt Walt found out through this that his health was failing

Transformation contd The warring between the gangs and the neighbors became Walt’s business He purposed in his heart to do something Walt was converted, he went to confession He called the one son who unfortunately had no time for Dad. In the end Walt gave his life for the people he once despised.

The End of the Road “No greater love as this than a man laid down his life for his friends” During the reading of the will there was a shadow of disappointment in the eyes of the family. They did not expect what they heard The Gran Torino was Thao’s

The End of the Road People can change in whatever direction depending on their acceptance of the elements of ones environment.