Do the Right Thing (1989) Analysis: The Boom Box

If one particular character can be inextricably linked to one particular prop, it would have to be Radio Raheem and his beloved, ear-shatteringly loud boom box. While at first appearing to be nothing more than just a nonessential prop, it is actually significant on multiple levels.

Of course, the boom box is first and foremost an instrumental prop. Raheem carries it around with him everywhere he goes because he loves Public Enemy and their song Fight the Power. In fact, he seems to love the song so much that he cannot stand turning it off for more than a moment.

The boom box is also a cultural prop. What's more representative (or stereotypical) of the rebellious youth of the 1980's than a massive boom box blaring hard rock or hip hop. The box, more specifically, the song it always seems to be playing, also serve to represent Radio Raheem's "personal culture." Raheem takes the boom box wherever he goes, even into Sal's Famous Pizzarria, whether the device is allowed in the establishment or not. He also ensures that the boom box is always blaring at maximum volume at all times. When the noise draws the ire and protests of aggravated bystanders, Raheem just curses them off. Because of his blatant disregard of authority and because he adornes himself with a good deal of "bling, "Raheem could also be considered to be a forerunner of today's "gangstas." Thus, Fight the Power can very well be considered Raheem's anthem or theme song, as his actions are a perfect mirror of the song's title.

Finally, the box can be seen as a contextualized prop. It is the boom box, or rather it's destruction at the hands of an enraged Sal, that ultimately leads to Raheem's death at the hands of a (white) police officer, an act which causes the neighborhood's long-simmering tensions to explode into a full-blown riot that destroys the pizarria, along with all of the understanding between Sal and the rest of the neighborhood.