Sessue Hayakawa's roles in early media illustrate themes of exoticism, the model minority, male vulnerability, and racial stereotypes. His portrayals often emphasized the "mystique" of the Asian male, reinforcing exotic and romanticized notions of race. At the same time, characters he played sometimes embodied the model minority trope, suggesting a certain level of acceptance while also highlighting the constraints of such representation. Additionally, his roles often confronted the vulnerability of Asian men in a society that marginalized them, challenging traditional notions of masculinity.
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