Hidden Treasures

Names are words that people are known by. They are a way of describing who a person is, and a way to bring attention toward a particular person. They can even bring a sense of individuality in a group, since often people don’t have exactly the same name. Some might even say that a name fits a person’s personality. This may sound strange at first, but this is a common technique that is used in movies to create a deeper meaning in a character’s actions and personality. In films, such as Do the Right Thing, “many [character’s names] have meaning that reflect aspects of characterization” (Stewart). In the film Do the Right Thing each character’s name holds symbolic meaning to the character’s role in the film. This is very evident among Mother Sister, Da Mayor, Jade, and Sal.

Mother Sister symbolically represents the mother of the town of Bed Stuy. According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, a mother can be someone that “nurtures in the manner of a mother, has the responsibility and authority of a mother, or looks after or cares for as a mother does” (928). It can also be used as a title of respect given to an elderly woman. Mother Sister holds all of these motherly roles in the film. She is a well-respected elderly woman that sits on her stoop and watches over the town’s people of Bed Stuy. At one scene in the film, Mother Sister gives Mookie some motherly advice about staying cool throughout the day, because it is going to be really hot. As Mookie walks away, she shouts out, “Mother Sister always watches” (Do the Right Thing). This scene epitomizes Mother sister’s role in the film. Mother Sister is constantly watching the town and she doesn’t seem to miss a thing. She is a mother figure in a town that needs her care and attention.

Mother Sister is more than just a mother figure in the film. Her name hold’s a meaning that is far deeper. Webster’s New World Dictionary defines a sister as, “a female fellow member of the same race, creed, profession, organization, etc.” (1331). This is important when it comes to the film, Do the Right Thing. In the town of Bed Stuy, most of the inhabitants are African American. In order for Mother Sister to be respected as a sister in the community, she must share a common ground with others in the community. This common ground is being African American, and therefore holding the title of Sister in her name. In the film this point is made obvious by the fact that Mother Sister never addresses anyone except fellow African Americans. This emphasizes the importance of her not just being called Mother, but Mother Sister.

Da Mayor symbolically represents the leader of the town of Bed Stuy. Though he is not truly a mayor, the town seems to respect him as a leader in the community. This becomes clear in the film when Buggin’ Out goes around the town to ask people to boycott Sal’s Pizzeria. When he comes upon Da Mayor, he tells him that he needs his leadership to boycott Sal’s. The symbolism behind his mayor-like leadership is finalized in the end of the film when Mr. Senor Love Daddy mentions that the mayor of New York should get to together with Bed Stuy’s very own, Da Mayor, to discuss the problems in the neighborhood. This shows that Da Mayor is respected in the town of Bed Stuy as a leader in the community, and possibly even a hero.

Da Mayor holds heroic attributes that are much like those of a real mayor. This is made clear by a scene in the film where Da Mayor saves a young boy from getting hit by a car. In the process he risks his own life. Mother Sister then praises him for his heroic actions. This is important because Mother Sister is looked upon highly by the community. This shows the viewer that Da Mayor is given the same respect for his heroic actions that a real mayor may be given, creating an even greater link to the symbolism behind the name, Da Mayor.

The name Jade symbolically represents Jade’s characterization in the film. The name Jade means, “green gem” (Moss). According to Webster’s New World Dictionary a gem can be used to describe, “a highly valued person” (580). In the film it is quite clear that Jade is valued a great deal. In one scene, she tells Buggin’ Out to direct his energies toward more positive things, rather than boycotting Sal’s. Buggin’ Out surprisingly respects her opinion and tells her he still loves her. She seems to have this effect on other characters throughout the film. The community values Jade for her inner beauty and good heart. In this way she is valued as a gem, because she bring out the beauty in things, much like a gem.

A gem may be looked at as a something of preciousness and beauty. Jade seems to also be looked at this way in the film. This is specifically true with Sal’s feelings toward her. In one scene Sal goes out of his way for Jade by making her something special from the Pizzeria. Then he comments on how he has never seen eyes as big as Jade’s, implying a sense of adornment. In the same scene, Mookie grabs Jade’s arm and Sal shouts out, “Hey Mookie take it easy…you’re gonna bust her arm” (Do the Right Thing). This scene emphasizes the symbolism behind Jade’s name. Her preciousness and beauty in the film is looked upon as that of a true gem.

Sal is another character from the film, Do the Right Thing whose name holds symbolic meaning. The name Sal comes from the Spanish name Salvador, which originated from the Latin name Salvation, meaning “savior” (Campbell). The word savior is most commonly used to describe god. In the film, Sal’s attributes are much like those of god. It seems as if the Pizzeria is Sal’s domain from which he watches over the town’s people, much like heave in god’s domain from which he looks down upon the world. He even comments that he has watched the little kids in town grow, and he has watched the older people get older. Sal symbolically represents the savior of the town of Bed Stuy.

Before the fight broke out at Sal’s Pizzeria, it was clear that the townspeople of Bed Stuy looked at Sal as a savior in their town. When Buggin’ Out goes around the town to try to get people to help him boycott Sal’s Pizzeria nobody wants to help him. They all tell him that Sal is a good man. Ellen even goes as far as to say, “shit, I was born and raised on Sal’s Pizza” (Do the Right Thing). This all symbolizes Sal’s power and presence in the lives of the townspeople in Bed Stuy. His power and presence in their lives is much like god’s power and presence in many people’s lives in the world today.

Names can mean more than one may think. Names often hold hidden treasures and meanings as long as they are looked deep enough into. In the film, Do the Right Thing many of the characters names such as Mother Sister, Da Mayor, Jade, and Sal hold symbolic meanings that reflect aspects of characterization. Sometimes names can be more than just something to call someone by. They can be a journey into a whole new thought process.