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fandomhigh2007-04-12 01:05 am
actingreaper) wrote in fandomhigh2007-04-12 01:05 am
Entry tags:
Film and Lit, 4/12/07
Daisy had a bit more of a serious expression on her face at the start of class today, and rather than dive right into the topic of the day, she waited for all the students to quiet down and be seated, then waited a few moments longer before starting.
"Today we're going to do something a little bit different. We'll still be looking at a literary work that has been transformed into a film, but instead of looking directly at that, I'd like to use it as a jumping off point for a discussion."
She stood and paced the front of the room for a moment.
"Free will. Fatalism. And death. If any of these topics will be difficult for youor your mun, omg to discuss, you may leave now, or at any point during the class. I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable. I'll give you a few moments to think about it. Your grade will not be docked if you leave, but I do ask that you think about it carefully rather than take it as a free pass out of class. I am hoping for a good discussion, which I can't really have by myself."
She gave the students a few moments to make the decision whether to stay or leave, then continued on.
"Kurt Vonnegut's Schlachthof Fünf." Daisy said, once things had settled down again. She held up a copy of the book. "One of Vonnegut's most well known works, turned into a film that Vonnegut himself is quoted as saying he thoroughly enjoyed. It balances several different genres: World War II fiction, science fiction, and dark humor to name a few. It uses time travel as its main device to drive its theme: free will vs. fatalism."
Daisy took the time to pass out a few handouts on the text and show a few clips of the film. "Now, what I'd like to talk about today is this: which side are you on? Do you think we have complete control over our own destinies? Do you think we have none? Do you fall somewhere in between? And what of death? It's not a topic that many people like to talk about, I know, but it is inevitable that life eventually ends. Do you think that there's a list, somewhere, stating exactly when a person will die, that they cannot change? Or is it simply a random event? Heck," Daisy smiled slightly, looking around the room. "Is it even that important to decide one way or another? Is it even a topic worth discussing? Now, I know what I think, but I'd like to hear your opinion. Death, itself, is inevitable. But is the time and manner in which we die the same?
"And, let's go ahead and bring this back to our book and film. How do they present Vonnegut's argument, that fate is predetermined? Do you think it's effective?"
After the discussion (assuming anyone stuck around), Daisy got everyone's attention again. "Alright. I'll be sending an email as a reminder of this, and to let those who weren't here today know. I've decided what I'd like you all to do for your final project. Pick a book or literary work that speaks to you. One that has themes that you really identify with and agree with. And I'd like you, on your own or in groupsreal or handwavey to write up a treatment on that book. How would you present it as a film? How would you use the visual medium to express the main theme, to stress the really important ideas? This will be due your last week of class, and I'll give you time in class to work on the projects. Any questions?"
[OOC:wait for the OCD is up (*coughs* and now we're meta-ed). Please note that today's class is not required (though I'd like a sign in at least). The topic being discussed (free will, fate, and death) is not everyone's cup of tea, and if your character or yourself is not comfortable with it, please don't feel any pressure to participate. Class topic is chosen in memory of Kurt Vonnegut. Love him or hate him, he did a lot for literature. *gets off soapbox and back into character, OMG.]
"Today we're going to do something a little bit different. We'll still be looking at a literary work that has been transformed into a film, but instead of looking directly at that, I'd like to use it as a jumping off point for a discussion."
She stood and paced the front of the room for a moment.
"Free will. Fatalism. And death. If any of these topics will be difficult for you
She gave the students a few moments to make the decision whether to stay or leave, then continued on.
"Kurt Vonnegut's Schlachthof Fünf." Daisy said, once things had settled down again. She held up a copy of the book. "One of Vonnegut's most well known works, turned into a film that Vonnegut himself is quoted as saying he thoroughly enjoyed. It balances several different genres: World War II fiction, science fiction, and dark humor to name a few. It uses time travel as its main device to drive its theme: free will vs. fatalism."
Daisy took the time to pass out a few handouts on the text and show a few clips of the film. "Now, what I'd like to talk about today is this: which side are you on? Do you think we have complete control over our own destinies? Do you think we have none? Do you fall somewhere in between? And what of death? It's not a topic that many people like to talk about, I know, but it is inevitable that life eventually ends. Do you think that there's a list, somewhere, stating exactly when a person will die, that they cannot change? Or is it simply a random event? Heck," Daisy smiled slightly, looking around the room. "Is it even that important to decide one way or another? Is it even a topic worth discussing? Now, I know what I think, but I'd like to hear your opinion. Death, itself, is inevitable. But is the time and manner in which we die the same?
"And, let's go ahead and bring this back to our book and film. How do they present Vonnegut's argument, that fate is predetermined? Do you think it's effective?"
After the discussion (assuming anyone stuck around), Daisy got everyone's attention again. "Alright. I'll be sending an email as a reminder of this, and to let those who weren't here today know. I've decided what I'd like you all to do for your final project. Pick a book or literary work that speaks to you. One that has themes that you really identify with and agree with. And I'd like you, on your own or in groups
[OOC:
Sign in
Re: Sign in
Re: Sign in
Re: Sign in
Re: Sign in
Re: Sign in
Re: Sign in
Re: Sign in
Re: Sign in
Discussion
Oh, yeah, and blah, blah, book to movie, blah, how does it express the theme?
Re: Discussion
Yeah, she was amazed she stuck around, too.
Re: Discussion
Re: Discussion
Re: Discussion
Re: Discussion
Non-discussion
Talk to Daisy
OOC
And because I haven't read the book or watched the movie since we did it in my film and lit class in college, which was years ago. . . .