Symbols and motifs

Symbols

The Gran Torino

One of the main symbols in the movie Gran Torino (2008) directed by Clint Eastwood is Walt’s car that the movie is named after. Firstly, the car is a representation of Walt’s personality and his values. For one,, it is an American car from the brand Ford, where Walt has worked for thirty years. In this way, the car is a symbol of Walt’s patriotism. The Gran Torino is also considered a “muscle car”, a high-performance sports car, often used for street racing, which highlights Walt’s masculinity. Lastly, as a vintage car from 1972, the fact that Walt still owns the Gran Torino symbolizes the way Walt clings to the past and holds old-fashioned beliefs, refusing to adapt to the modern world he lives in. 

Another important thing to note is that the Gran Torino also highlights Walt’s loneliness and lack of connection with his family. As Walt’s most prized possession, it is expected that the car will pass down to one of Walt’s sons or grandchildren. However, due to the poor relationship Walt has with his family, this is likely not going to be the case for Walt. His granddaughter Ashely suggests to Walt that she wishes to have his car after his death, but she does so in an insensitive way which shows that she does not care about Walt or about taking care of his beloved car, and only wants to have a flashy car. 

Walt’s decision to lend Thao the Gran Torino for his date with Youa symbolizes Walt’s trust in Thao and their newfound connection. His final decision to pass the Gran Torino to Thao after his death symbolizes the idea that Thao has become Walt’s surrogate family in place of his blood relatives who do not truly care about him. From Thao’s perspective, the Gran Torino symbolizes the final piece that helps him complete his transformation into a man acc...