Jake Harper
In the Back to the Future film series, Marty McFly is easily provoked whenever someone questions his courage by calling him a chicken. This slang term for a coward causes Marty to overreact in his efforts to prove that he is not one. In Part II, Griff calls Marty chicken, mistaking him for his son Marty Jr., and challenges him at Cafe 80's. In another scene, a 47-year-old Needles calls Marty a chicken during a video call, which leads to Marty agreeing to an illegal plan and ultimately losing his job. In Part III, Buford Tannen challenges Marty in the 1885 timeline, calling him yellow, the equivalent of chicken. Marty's fear of being thought of as a coward causes him to depart from his plans and puts him in bad situations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the movie | Back to the Future |
| Main character | Marty McFly |
| Insult | Chicken |
| Year of the incident | 1955, 2015 |
| People who called Marty "chicken" | Biff Tannen, Griff, Needles, Buford Tannen |
| Reaction | Anger, overreaction, running away, challenging Griff to a fight |
| Lesson | It's sometimes braver to walk away and say no |
| Merchandise | T-shirts |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Marty's fear of being called a coward
Marty McFly has a strong aversion to being called a "chicken". In Back to the Future Part II, Griff calls Marty "chicken", mistaking him for his son, Marty Jr. This insult causes Marty to deviate from his plan and challenge Griff to a fight, resulting in a chase and Griff's arrest. Similarly, when Needles calls Marty "chicken" during a video call in 2015, Marty agrees to participate in an illegal plan, which leads to his firing.
Marty's fear of being labelled a coward causes him to overreact and engage in unwise actions to prove his bravery. This is evident when he challenges Griff and agrees to Needles' plan. The term "chicken" for a coward is considered a serious insult, and Marty's reaction is comparable to James Dean's character in Rebel Without a Cause, released in 1955, who also reacts dramatically when called "chicken".
In Part III, the "chicken" narrative comes full circle when Buford Tannen challenges Marty in the 1885 timeline. Marty ultimately realizes that what others say about his courage is not as important as he once feared. He learns that walking away and saying no can sometimes be the braver choice, thanks to Doc Brown's teachings in Part III. This evolution in Marty's character demonstrates his growth and self-reflection, making him one of the most compelling characters in cinema history.
Chickpeas' Carb Content: 100-Gram Serving
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The use of the insult chicken in different eras
The use of the word "chicken" as an insult has evolved over the years, with its origin dating back to ancient times. Its usage in different eras reflects societal attitudes and cultural norms of those periods.
Ancient Times to the Renaissance
The association of chickens with cowardice may have its roots in ancient times. Some speculate that the Latin word "Gallus," meaning both "rooster" and "Gaul" (a historical region in Europe), led to the perception of chickens as cowardly. Shakespeare, in his play "Hamlet," wrote, "for it cannot be / But I am pigeon-liver'd and lack gall / To make oppression bitter," reflecting the idea that lacking "gall" or bile was associated with cowardice.
Shakespeare also used the word "chicken" as an insult in his play "Cymbeline" (circa 1616), where he described soldiers fleeing a battlefield as "chickens." This is considered the first written record of the word being used as an insult. Additionally, other fowl, such as "hen-hearted" or "hen-hearted cuckolds," were used to describe cowards even earlier, dating back to a play from around 1450.
Early 20th Century
By the early 20th century, the term "chicken" had become a common slang word for a coward. The phrase "chicken shit," referring to something petty or lacking courage, dates back to at least the 1920s, and the figurative use of "chicken" to allege cowardice was recorded as early as 1929.
Mid-20th Century to Present
In more recent times, the insult "chicken" has been popularized in media and pop culture, often used as a challenge to someone's courage or provoking a reaction. This is exemplified in the Back to the Future film series, where Marty McFly's Achilles' heel is his fear of being called a "chicken." This leads him to overreact and go to great lengths to prove his bravery, sometimes resulting in trouble or negative consequences.
The use of "chicken" as an insult in the films reflects the societal attitude of the time, where being perceived as courageous was highly valued, especially among young men. This trope has been further perpetuated in other media, such as The Simpsons, Peter Pan, and various fanfiction, showcasing the enduring nature of this insult across different eras and its ability to evoke strong emotions and reactions.
Cleaning a Glass Stove Top After a Boil Over
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How Marty reacts to being called chicken
In the Back to the Future film series, Marty McFly is known to react angrily when called a "chicken". This slang term for a coward causes Marty to overreact in his efforts to prove that he is not one, which usually results in trouble. For example, in Part II, Marty is instructed to pose as his future son, Marty Jr., in 2015, but when Griff calls him "chicken", he abandons his plan and stays to challenge Griff to a fight. This results in a chase around Courthouse Square on hoverboards and, ultimately, to Griff and his gang being arrested.
Marty's fear of being thought of as a coward also causes him to make unwise decisions. In the same film, a 47-year-old Marty is called "chicken" by Needles during a video call, which leads him to go along with an illegal plan involving his credit card. As a result, he is fired from his job.
In Part III, the "chicken" narrative is brought full circle when Buford Tannen challenges Marty to a duel in 1885. Marty initially refuses, but ultimately decides to confront Buford to save Doc's life. This is where Marty learns that what other people say doesn't matter as much as he had feared and that it is sometimes the braver choice to walk away.
Chicken Hawks and Red-Tailed Hawks: What's the Difference?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The impact of the chicken narrative on Marty's future
In the Back to the Future film series, Marty McFly is known to have a strong aversion to being called a "chicken". This slang term for a coward would often cause him to overreact and make impulsive decisions in his efforts to prove his bravery. This aspect of his character had a significant impact on the plot and the direction of Marty's future, especially in the second and third films.
In one instance in Back to the Future Part II, Marty is instructed to pose as his future son, Marty Jr., in 2015, and walk away from Griff, a gang member. However, when Griff calls him "chicken", Marty's fear of being perceived as a coward causes him to deviate from the plan. He challenges Griff to a fight, resulting in a chase and ultimately, Griff's arrest. This incident demonstrates how Marty's sensitivity to the word "chicken" leads him to make impulsive decisions that can have unintended consequences.
Another example occurs when Marty, now 47 years old, receives a video call from his acquaintance, Needles. Needles calls Marty "chicken" when he refuses to partake in a shady deal. Despite his age, Marty gives in to the provocation and agrees to the illegal plan, which involves using his credit card. Consequently, he is fired from his job. This scenario highlights how Marty's insecurity about being labelled a coward can make him susceptible to peer pressure and poor decision-making even later in his life.
In Back to the Future Part III, the "chicken" narrative comes full circle when Buford Tannen, from the 1885 timeline, challenges Marty to a duel after calling him "yellow", the equivalent of "chicken". This time, Marty has an epiphany and realises that what others say about him is not as important as he had previously thought. He chooses to walk away from the duel, demonstrating that he has grown and overcome his fear of being labelled a coward. This decision saves his life, as he is shot by Buford despite not engaging in the shootout.
Digging Trenches for Chicken Runs: How Deep Should You Go?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The significance of the chicken insult in popular culture
The use of the word "chicken" as an insult is a well-known trope in popular culture, often used to provoke a reaction from someone who is sensitive about their reputation for courage. This insult is notably used in the film series Back to the Future, where Marty McFly is easily provoked whenever someone questions his bravery. This leads to him making unwise decisions, such as engaging in a fight or taking part in illegal activities, in an attempt to prove his courage.
The use of "chicken" as an insult has a long history, with the earliest written instance of the word being used in this context appearing in William Shakespeare's Cymbeline, circa 1616. The term may have caught on due to its use as a general insult, with "chicken" meaning "fool" and first appearing in print around 1600. The phrase "yellow-bellied," associated with cowardice, also has links to chickens, further cementing the bird's association with a lack of bravery.
The specific connection between chickens and cowardice may stem from the perception of female chickens as subdued and faint-hearted compared to their male counterparts. Hens may have also been seen as especially timid in comparison to the typically bold roosters. This association between female chickens and meekness is not new, with Shakespeare's Hamlet referring to "pigeon-liver'd" individuals who lack courage, as pigeons were believed to be meek due to their perceived absence of gall, the source of bitter and rancorous feelings.
The "Nobody Calls Me Chicken" trope is a common one in popular culture, with various heroes taking pride in themselves to the extent that they cannot turn down a challenge. This leads to characters putting themselves in dangerous situations or making unwise decisions, as their fear of being seen as weak or cowardly overrides their better judgment.
The significance of the "chicken" insult in popular culture lies in its ability to provoke a strong reaction from certain characters, often leading to pivotal moments in the narrative. It also serves as a reflection of societal perceptions of courage and weakness, with the association of chickens and cowardice deeply rooted in history.
Spotting Bird Flu in Chickens: What to Look For
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Marty hates being called a chicken because he doesn't want to be seen as a coward, especially in front of his girlfriend.
Biff Tannen, Griff, and Needles all call Marty a chicken.
Marty gets angry and often ends up in a bad situation as a result of his desire to prove that he is not a coward.
Yes, by the end of the trilogy, Marty learns that it is sometimes braver to walk away and say no.
James Dean's character in Rebel Without a Cause, Peter Pan in the 1953 film, and Leon Kuwata in Danganronpa Abridged all react dramatically when called a chicken or a similar insult.
