BENDER
THE REBEL
BENDER
Bender is stereo typed as the rebel, who
misbehaves and doesn't care about school.
Bender’s appearance matches his personality,
Bender wears scruffy clothes, a bandana round
his shoes, jeans and a jean jacket, his clothes
help identify that Bender’s lower class. Bender
doesn't get on with his parents, their quite
abusive we know this because benders dad
burned him with a cigar, this also could influence
with benders personality e.g. When bender
shouts back at the principle he's quite abusive.
What he Does
In the film we can tell a lot about Bender by his actions for
example when he shouts back at the principle this shows
that he’s quite an aggressive character and stands up for
himself. Bender is quite a smart person as well because
when he talks he uses quite complex words. Bender’s a
fun, dangerous, dare devil character because he likes
being disruptive e.g. when he lights the match on he’s
shoe, shouts in the corridor and finds a way out of the
cupboard. Bender is also a loyal character to his friends
e.g. when bender gets himself into trouble in the corridor
scene so the others wouldn’t get in trouble he’s also
funny because he makes people laugh. Bender can be
annoying e.g. when he sticks he’s head between claries
legs.
WHAT WE THINK OF
BENDER.
The film is set in 1985 so therefore it is in the past, but in the film Bender is in the present. Bender
lives in Shermer, which is just outside of Chicago in the suburbs. When Bender talks about his family
he seems to be lower class also because of what he wears and how he looks, another reason is the
way he seems to make comments about Claire being rich he seems jealous of her upper class
lifestyle. My character bender is at school, he doesn't seem to pay much attention or try a lot
though, as he is a regular in detention. He is a teenager so he is around 16-17. He lives with his
parents and there relationship doesn't seem very good we see this when he imitates them and they
seem to be rowing lots and not get along. The other characters seem to influence bender as he tries
to show off in front of them. His biggest goal within the film is to cause lots of trouble, but when
doing this he does manage to make people talk more and open up. It does look like he will bring
something good to the group as he is very intellectual when he talks. Bender seems to bring a lot of
anger to the group when he talks about his family, also towards the teacher and other teens. I think
my character has low self esteem and that is why he seems to show off and try really hard to look
cool in front of the other teenagers. Bender seems like the typical “joker” and you have lots of
people like him in the typical life. But where he is still intellectual it makes him different from the
typical “joker”. I think at the start of the film the audience should feel hate towards him but as the
film carries on we start to feel sympathy towards him because of his family life and therefore start
to like him more. At the begging of the film he seems like the normal naughty kid that doesn’t care
and just wants to start trouble. Towards the middle of the film he seems to carry this perception on
but shows more emotion about his family. Near the end of the film he really opens up and shows lots
of emotion about how he feels about who he is, and his family, and he lets the others in lots more.
Bender is very important to the action in the film because is he didn’t start to talk no one else would
of, and is he hadn't of started to rebel no one else would of, and they would of just sat in detention.
He was the one that made everyone talk and get to know each other without bender the film would
be really boring. His emotions are shown are lot as his hatred for the other characters, then when he
started to like them he makes it very clear, especially with Claire. At the end of the film he did
achieve to coursing trouble but he did also achieve lots more like getting together with Claire and
making friends. If I met my character I would probably be put of at first as he is very loud and
confident and he also does not seem to want to let people in or be very friendly.
What Others Say About him…
In the movie, Breakfast Club, Bender is displayed as a Rebel, and the other characters have different opinions of him. Throughout
the movie.
Claire ‘s opinion on Bender changes throughout the film, at the beginning she thinks he is waste of time, because of the way he
acts towards everyone (misbehaving, smoking, annoying everyone etc.). E.g.
Bender: [after pushing his head between Claire’s legs under the table ] ‘It was an accident’
Claire: ‘You’re an asshole’
However, further into the film he kind of grows on her, and she starts to find him funny and interesting, like when they are all
smoking, and they start to get a long, and its not all arguing like in the first couple of scenes. Towards the end, when they are
all talking about their lives, Claire and Bender get into a big argument, and her opinion on him seems to change completely.
Bender: ‘Don’t you ever talk about my friends. You don’t know any of my friends. You don’t look at any of my friends. And you
certainly wouldn’t condescend to speak to any of my friends. So you just stick to the things you know: shopping, nail polish,
your father’s BMW, and your poor, rich drunk mother in the Caribbean.’
Claire: ‘SHUT UP!’
Bender: ‘And as far as being concerned about what’s gonna happen when you and I walk down the hallways of school together,
you can forget it cuz it’s never gonna happen. Just bury your head in the sand and wait for your fuckin’ prom.’
Claire: [crying] ‘I hate you!’
Bender: ‘Yeah? Good!’
But, after this, things blow over between them and she ends up finding his humour attractive, and in the end, gets together with
him , maybe because she really likes him, or maybe to get back at her parents for arguing. So over the film, Benders opinion
to Claire changes, and grows towards the ending of the film.
Bender: ‘Remember how you said your parents use you to get back at each other?’
Claire Standish: [nods]
Bender: ‘Wouldn't I be OUTSTANDING in that capacity? ’
What Others Say About him…
Andrews opinion on Bender is slightly different, he seems to completely hate him. Throughout the movie he is
threatening to beat him up, and is constantly calling him names, mainly because he is making fun of Claire
or him and his wrestling.
Andrew: Just me. Just you and me. Two hits... me hitting you, you hitting the floor. Any time you're ready, pal.
Bender: [Bender goes to hit Andrew but Andrew tackles him to the floor] I don't wanna get into this with you
man.
Andrew: [Andrew lets him go and they both stand up] Why not?
Bender: Cause I'd kill you. It's real simple, I'd kill you and your fucking parents would sue me and it'd be a big
mess and I don't care enough about you to bother.
Andrew: [whispers as he turns around] Chickenshit.
[Bender pulls out a switchblade and stabs into a chair]
Andrew: Let's end this right now. You don't talk to her... you don't look at her and you don't even think about
her! You understand me?
Andrew doesn't seem to have any respect for him, probably because Bender has no respect for him, or anyone
else, or the school, he doesn’t do what he’s told, he doesn’t care about anyone’s feelings and annoys
everyone, which is most likely why Andrew hates him so much. In a way, Andrew sees him as competition
towards the ‘boss’ position, which is why he does what he does to him, to show him that he is not weak,
and he will not be pushed around. So overall, in the movie, he doesn’t really like Bender that much.
What Others Say About him…
Brian seems to feel quite threatened by Bender, and is a bit scared of him; he does what he says and follows what he says. He gets pushed
around by Bender but he feels their is nothing he can do to stop it. An example of this could be when Bender is impersonating Brian’s
parents.
Bender: My impression of life at Big Bri's house, "Son?" "Yeah, Dad?" "How was your day, son?" "Great, Dad. How's yours?" "Super. Say, how
would like to go fishing this weekend?" "Great, Dad. But I got homework to do." "That's okay, son. You can do it on the boat." "Gee."
"Hon, isn't our son swell?" "Yes, dear. Isn't life swell?"
[kiss]
Brian seems to be given in by peer pressure, when Claire and Bender go off to smoke his ‘dope’, Brian feels like he has to follow, and starts to
smoke with them. Bender, however, does talk with him, and the others, about certain subjects; like when he is talking with everyone
about school clubs.
Claire Standish: You know why guys like you knock everything?
John Bender: Oh, this should be stunning.
Claire Standish: It's because you're afraid.
John Bender: Oh God, you richies are so smart, that's exactly why I'm not heavy into activities.
Claire Standish: You're a big coward.
Brian Johnson: I'm in the math club.
Claire Standish: See, you're afraid that they won't take you, you don't belong, so you have to just dump all over it.
John Bender: Well, it wouldn't have anything to do with you activities people being assholes, now would it?
Claire Standish: Well, you wouldn't know, you don't even know any of us.
John Bender: Well, I don't know any lepers, but I'm not going to run out and join one of their fucking clubs.
Andrew Clark: Hey. Let's watch the mouth, huh?
Brian Johnson: I'm in the physics club too.
John Bender: Excuse me a sec. What are you babbling about?
Brian Johnson: Well, what I had said was I'm in the math club, uh, the Latin, and the physics club... physics club.
John Bender: Hey, Cherry. Do you belong to the physics club?
Claire Standish: That's an academic club.
John Bender: So?
Claire Standish: So academic clubs aren't the same as other kinds of clubs.
John Bender: Ah... but to dorks like him, they are. What do you guys do in your club?
Brian Johnson: Well, in physics we... we talk about physics, properties of physics.
John Bender: So it's sorta social, demented and sad, but social. Right?
What Others Say About him…
Alison doesn’t really show any sort of interest or
opinion towards Bender. The only thing that links
the two characters is the way that Alison smiles,
and sometimes laughs at certain things Bender
does.
What Others Say About him…
Principal Vernon’s opinion on him is probably the most important in the movie. He seems to have a lot of knowledge on Bender, as he is
in detention every Saturday, so knows him very well. He hates him to the highest degree of hate, he even tries to fight him when
they are alone. He swears at him, gives him cruel punishments and always argues with him. An example of this is when he argues
with Bender and ends up giving him 8 detentions. He sees him as a criminal and not a normal person, and throughout the movie we
get simple signs proving that he really hates him.
Richard Vernon: You're not fooling anyone, Bender. The next screw that falls out will be you.
John Bender: Eat my shorts.
Richard Vernon: What was that?
John Bender: Eat... My... Shorts.
Richard Vernon: You just bought yourself another Saturday.
John Bender: Ooh, I'm crushed.
Richard Vernon: You just bought one more.
John Bender: Well I'm free the Saturday after that. Beyond that, I'm going to have to check my calendar.
Richard Vernon: Good, cause it's going to be filled. We'll keep going. You want another one? Just say the word say it. Instead of going to
prison you'll come here. Are you through?
John Bender: No.
Richard Vernon: I'm doing society a favour.
John Bender: So?
Richard Vernon: That's another one right now! I've got you for the rest of your natural born life if you don't watch your step. You want
another one?
John Bender: Yes.
Richard Vernon: You got it! You got another one right there! That's another one pal!
Claire Standish: Cut it out!
Richard Vernon: You through?
John Bender: Not even close bud!
Richard Vernon: Good! You got one more right there!
John Bender: You really think I give a shit?
Richard Vernon: Another! You through?
John Bender: How many is that?
Brian Johnson: That's seven including when we first came in and you asked Mr. Vernon whether Barry Manilow knew that he raided his
closet.
Richard Vernon: Now it's eight. You stay out of this.
Brian Johnson: Excuse me sir, it's seven.
What bender says and thinks.
Bender does not like the head teacher and enjoys taking the mick out of him we see this
hear
Richard Vernon (head teacher)-My office is right across the hall. Any monkey business is
ill-advised. Any questions?
John Bender- yeah, I have a question. Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his
wardrobe?
At the begging of the film bender doesn't seem to like Claire and thinks she is a snob and
does not understand him John Bender – don’t you ever talk about my friends. You don’t know any of my friends
and you certainly wouldn’t condescend to speak to any of my friends. So you just
stick to the things you know: shopping, nail varnish, your farther BMW, and your
poor, rich drunk mother in the caribbean.
Bender doesn’t seem to like Andrew and thinks he is the typical ‘jock’
John Bender –oh, and wouldn’t that bite, huh? Missing a whole wrestling meet!
Andrew – you wouldn’t know anything about it, faggot! You never competed in your
whole life!
John Bender – oh , I know. I feel all empty inside because of it. I have such a deep
admiration for you guys who roll around on the floor in tights with other guys.
Some nice little Bender quotes
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VIG3SdC
iSA&feature=related
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTeYncx1
xmI&feature=related