Bright Lights, Big Battlefield

The transformation of Travis Bickle's character, to me, stuck out as a metaphor for a soldier's internal battles during war. I missed some of the first scene of the movie, but it appeared to me that he was at an employment office being interviewed so that the interviewer would place him in an appropriate job. This was as if the interviewer was "enlisting" Travis into the city by finding him his place, just as a recruiter would do. (I know this essay isn't about setting, but I wanted to point out how New York City serves as a great metaphor for a battlefield- the busy streets, lights, buildings, people, and overall chaos reminded me of a jungle, which is where the war in Vietnam took place!) Also, I noticed that Travis began the film with a shaggy haircut and wore comfortable clothing as he consumed a myriad of snack food, all of which make him appear very juvenille. This childish appearance is telling of how many people go into the war without really knowing what they've gotten themselves into until they enter the "battlefield."

In fact, it isn't long after Travis begins driving a taxi through New York City that we see a transformation in his character. He becomes paranoid of all of the crazy people he sees and drives around at night, causing him to change his appearance and eating habits to support a more militaristic lifestyle. Shorter hair, a muscular body, healthy food, and possession of multiple firearms all prepare Travis to "battle" the fierceness of the city. I find it interesting that he keeps Palentine's campaign posters on the wall of his apartment. To me, this reinforces the government's strong influence on those who are involved in a war, as they inevitably determine the fates of their soldiers. Like many, Travis eventually becomes very angry with the government for his situation, causing him to cut his hair into a deviant mohawk and attempt to shoot Palentine. Interestingly, he keeps Palentine's posters up in his apartment, showing that no matter how angry he becomes, the government is still there to control him.

The concept of the war hero is very interesting in this film. Travis, still appearing as a deviant, kills the men who manage and support the prostitution of 12-year-old Iris. In this case, I believe he is trying to salvage an innocent victim by taking her out of the "war," but he goes about it in a brutal way. He wasn't truly justified in interfering in business that didn't involve himself, but he did anyway, and was labeled a hero for it by the media. I found this to be a metaphor for what the United States did in Vietnam because they attempted to force their values and government on a weaker nation. Not only does this continue to happen still today, but it also continues to be glorified. The media and government make common people believe the war is creating goodness in the world, when in fact, not many are able to see the brutality that goes along with it. In the end, I felt that Travis Bickle, like so many, becomes blinded by the government and conforms to its wishes. We are reminded of this as he acts more positively about driving the taxi cab and finally agrees to socialize and "fit in" with the other drivers.

Paige Brinkmann