Kubrick’s construction of characters

Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket revolves around 3 main characters in the opening sequence, them being Hartmann, Pyle and Joker. They are all represented in different ways. Hartmann is represented as leader in the first few seconds it is established that he is leader by his body language, actual language the stuff he says and does and the power he has over all the en. He is the dominant character in the opening sequence and the leader of the allegiance. He is trying to abolish any individualism so the troops are as one.

The next character is Private Pyle. From the start Pyle is represented as the underdog, the character in every film, which is used for humour through ridicule, idiocy and generally not being able to stay part of the group. He seems like a fool because when Hartmann is telling him to stop smiling he can’t he then pays for this. You’re not supposed to feel sorry for Pyle because he is the fool of the group. He stands out because he is bigger than everyone else.

The last character is Joker and he is the rebel of the group in the opening sequence he stands up to Hartmann by trying to make the group laugh and that’s why he gets his name. He also looks like one of the group and fits in with the group.