Logical Inconsistencies In The Wife Of Bath’s Tale: A Feminist Approach
Wall Street was the story of a young Bud Fox trying to achieve success by attracting clients who are high-quality and have high investment. Fox was determined to make Gekko his partner. He put everything on the line to achieve this goal. Fox, who had to choose between the career of his dad or that of others and his own, was at the center moral dilemma. The decision was made without any consideration for the airline or those who provided the information. This is what led to all the trouble Fox experienced. Gekko lied and put Fox into a tough spot, but Gekko’s character isn’t portrayed in the film as ethical. Fox is the son of a man with morals and values, so it is only fair that he makes the right choices. Fox makes the correct choice but it’s late.
In the film, Wall Street was portrayed from a cynical point of view. Gekko’s staff and many others in the film were stereotyped as egotistical and acquisitive individuals who care little about the events around them as long they make money. Gekko was not compensated for his actions with a humanitarian surrender, a distribution of wealth to the less wealthy, or a revolution that would benefit humanity. Gekko compensated for his selfishness by spending excessively on luxurious residences, luxury planes, drugs, and callgirls.
Fox, for example, gave up after he failed to convince Gekko of his ideas and instead illegally shared insider info about BlueStar Airlines, the company in which his father had worked for years. Gekko already had plans to use BlueStar to its detriment, while Fox shared this important insider info with Gekko. Gekko knew this information was going to make him a lot of money, so he sent a girl to Fox’s home as a way to show his debt and capture Fox for future ventures. Gekko was impressed that Fox had the qualities Gekko is looking for in someone to collect information from him.
Fox wanted a high-ranking position in Wall Street. And because he could partner with Gekko – the biggest player in this industry – he performed illegal spying performances to gather information and win Gekko’s favor, as well as secure his own future. Gekko was clearly in control of Fox. Fox wanted nothing more than to succeed Gekko. In one scene, Fox dressed up as a night janitor for a building to gather confidential information. This could have led to the company being ruined.
Wall Street’s moral dilemma revolves around Fox’s desire for wealth and status in Wall Street. However, this often conflicts with his values and ethics. After earning millions in illegal dollars, Fox appears confused and sad, questioning his identity. Fox realizes, at the end, that he can never change from Fox to Gekko. Carl Fox taught Fox to value and respect ethics. He couldn’t throw those away no matter how he tried. Gekko manipulates Fox as well as other Fox-like companies in order to gain illegal information regarding private issues of other businesses. Gekko uses the information he essentially stole to become richer, while Fox joins in on these illegal activities, knowing that they will have consequences. The film’s emphasis on Wall Street’s corruption was a fascinating part. Even though Sir Larry Wildman began as a good guy, he was soon replaced by another industry major who used illegal tactics to make money. This person, who can be called Gekko’s exact opposite, became a key player. Lou Manheim also has a moral side, and is seen at times in the film within Gekko’s trading area. Manheim gives Fox advice constantly and confronts him about his suspicions that Fox is doing something illegal.
Fox only starts corresponding with Gekko after providing inside information on Blue Star Airlines. This is the company where his father works. Fox’s father was an ethical, diligent worker who had a similar work ethic to Fox’s. Fox shares Blue Star Airlines’ inside information with Gekko. This is because he realizes his chance of being wealthy in the future with Gekko is dwindling. The viewers will be able to see Fox’s dismay and anguish at having to violate the laws and ethics that he followed in order to achieve wealth. Gekko, the malevolent covetous character, smirks when he hears Fox’s response. Fox must decide whether to commit an illicit act to earn unimaginable money, or to maintain his morals and values that his father has passed on to him by refusing to be involved in the business. Fox made the wrong choice, choosing the easy and quick money. This led to his death. Here is the beginning of Fox’s relationship with Gekko, a partnership based upon lies, crime and theft. Fox’s first meeting with Gekko could have been very different. He should have simply walked out when he realized Gekko wasn’t interested in anything he said.
Fox convinces Fox’s father that the staff and board members of the company will accept Gekko’s investment if they are open to it. Fox’s Father can immediately tell that Gekko intends to harm Blue Star Airlines. Fox’s Dad is shocked by the realization, so he doesn’t remain for the discussion. He instead tries opening Fox’s eyes to Gekko, who is trying to take the company over to gain all of its profits, and then causing people to lose there jobs and their lives. Fox’s father teaches him values and ethics but he chooses not to listen to his father because he wants to be a Wall Street star. Fox’s son predicted the end result, but it’s already too late by the time Fox understands his father’s words.
