Identify the Core Values (or Absence of Values) That Define Each of the Main Characters in It's a Wonderful Life. How Do These Change Throughout the Movie?

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George Bailey is defined by the value that you don’t need to be rich to be successful and happy. However, although this value is shown throughout the movie, it is only realised by George near the end. This is when he has lost everything, and regrets saying ‘I wish I had never been born’ as he truly did have a wonderful life, and without him many people would not have succeeded in life as well. It shows friendship and teamwork is needed, the main idea for the Bailey Building and Loan. Mary is shown as how a wife should act. Even from the start of the film, when she only begins to properly talk to George Bailey, she appears to be sweet, kind and generous. She also helps George through every tough situation, never leaves him, and is also a good mother to their children. The main idea is not to lose hope, as the situation will be resolved in the end. Mary goes around the town to collect money, to save their family, and the entire Bedford Falls. She shows courage, yet never acts above George, how a wife would be expected to act in the 1940’s. Her values do not change throughout the movie, they are only eventually noticed by George Bailey near the end. Uncle Billy is shown to be the weak and needy character and shows how people need to help in order for society to survive. When the world is shown without George Bailey existing, Uncle Billy is said to be locked up in a mental institute, which suggest he suffers from something. Capra may have created Billy to show the group of people who need help, even at the start of the film when George isn’t even the owner of the Building and Loan, he appears to be in desperate need of help. This value is always shown in the movie. Mr Potter is the ‘villain’ in It’s a Wonderful Life, and George’s main enemy. He shows no sympathy towards people, and only wants to earn more money. Uncle Billy states early on in the movie that he became

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