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- 11/24 two simple questions about It's a Wonderful Life
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Q: 1) Does anyone know why someone might tie a string on his finger? (No one nowadays does that, but we do other things for the same purposeā¦)
I remember my grandpa telling me back in his day, If someone wants to remember to do something, they’ll tie some string around a finger and keep it there until after they’ve done it. The string can work because seeing the string will make them remember why they put it there.Yes, Justin, people tied strings on their fingers for exactly why you said they did.
Q: 2) Does anyone know what he meant? (It is essentially an ethnic slur.)
I really donāt know what it means but I do know that At the time, this was a common anti-Italian slur and it encapsulated an opinion shared by many Americans.Yes, the movie was made in 1946, and Frank Capra, was a major Italian-American director. The Martini family was a friend to George Bailey. Next time you watch The Godfather (1972), notice that it is set in the same era, the post-WWII era and it seems the Italians were the most recent immigrants then, and newer immigrants are often the brunt of discrimination.
People tied string around their finger to remember something. If you have it around your finger you can remember you didnāt do what you were supposed to and It will make it easier for you to recollect what you want to remember, allowing you to complete the task.
Garlic eater is a derogatory term for European immigrants used in the 20th century. It was designed specifically for Italians.
Great answers, Shania. For more details, please look at what I added to Justin’s comments, just minutes ago.
Q: 1) Does anyone know why someone might tie a string on his finger? (No one nowadays does that, but we do other things for the same purposeā¦)
I’ve read in other novels that tying strings on your fingers or hand help remind people of things they may forget. I’ve seen that some people modernized it, and wrap rubber bands on their wrists. I used to do that in high school to remind myself I had assignments due soon.
I thought rubber bans were a fashion statement! Personally, I just write right on my hand to remember things.
Q: 2) Does anyone know what he meant? (It is essentially an ethnic slur.)
It’s an anti-European immigrant slur, but it’s more specifically towards Italians.
Excellent answers, Gabby. For more details, please look at what I added to Justinās comments, just minutes ago.
Uncle Billy uses a string as a tangible trigger to associate with the wedding. Although trigger reminders such as this can be highly effective, they only work if the user isn’t desensitized to it’s use and have the wherewithal to keep the original association in mind. This reminds me of how I can set the garbage next to the door but still forget to take it out.
Yes. I personally write on my hand to remember, but sometimes wash my hands to defeat the purpose.
Sam Wainwright’s use of the “Garlic-Eaters” slur to refer to Italian immigrants could be contextualized in present-day as somebody from a small town in the Midwest who has found success in a better economy phoning a childhood friend and suggesting that they are surrounded by “hillbillies” or in a more direct modernization with equivalent offense, “illegals”. Use of this terminology in the context was intended to suggest that Sam felt his financial progression had elevated him to a level above George’s status, and certainly above the disadvantaged immigrant community that was heavily dependent on Bailey Building & Loan.
Don’t blame Sam. It was Mr. Potter who made the racist comment! Mr. Potter has no redeeming qualities. Sam is a good guy.
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