"Popular Mechanics"
1. Plot: So, there is not much plot to this short story. I would use the scene that the story has as the climax of my film. If I did not add to it, it would last maybe ten minutes! Therefore, I would add a lot. The climax would be consistent to the story, with pretty much no changes at all. The only changes that would occur would be how the story starts and ends. I want to start the story with the initiation of the fight. Instead of it being all about the worst part, I want to build up the suspense to make the scene in the short story even stronger. The two begin the day bickering over every little thing. The day would be seen as just another day by having nothing big happen. It might have to drag out a little by adding in something interesting, but not too big just so the audience doesn't get bored before the climax. Also, I want to make sure all of the foreshadowing that was in the story is used in the film. The organization or sequence would just be the everyday routine. The mother would nag and just do things that obviously make the father angry and annoyed. Then, something little, like a switch of the TV channel, sets the father off. The father then go off on the mother. The arguement starts out like the others, but it soon escalates into hateful words. The man heads to the room to pack just like in the story. The woman says out of anger how she is so glad he is leaving. After the climax, the film would end with the baby being with the father and the woman sitting there in shock.
2.Point of View: The point of view of the narrator would be third person omniscent. He would have not emotion and just state things how they are at the end. This would add to the story's detachment of the two. By having a detached feeling, the relationship will immediately feel like its falling apart. This point of view will also stay in line with the story. By not having it be first person, the ending will not have as much emotion. It would be very unexpected, just like it was in the book. I think that this point of view would do the similar effects that the third person omnisscient did for the short story "The Lottery". I want the focus of the story to be on the theme of the mechanical aspect of the entire story rather than the emotional aspect.
3. Characterization: I would like the characterization to stay consistent with the story. The story would reveal the characters the same as the story as well. Indirect characterization would take place, so the little actions that each of the characters do reveals what they feel. The two would not really be characterized as individuals. Rather, their attitudes towards each other and the relationship would be revealed. This would add to the mechanical aspect since this would make their relationship not have an individual or special touch. Although this is true, I want the father's strength to be shown, which would foreshadow him having more power which leads to him having the baby. Also, I want the mother to be given a nagging and annoying vibe from her actions,so the audience can understand why the father wants to leave her. It could be applied to various relationships in the audience's own life maybe. Rolling of eyes, talking under their breath, awkward silences, or avoidance might be some actions to relay the point to the audience.
4. Setting: The setting would be slightly different. Instead of it being at one time, it will be throughout the day. The movie would start with morning, and then progressivly get darker. I would want it to maybe be raining throughout the day. This would make the emotion towards the setting be that it is drowsy and sad. Rain always makes things seem gloom. The climax would occur at night when it is very dark. This would be the darkest scene;therefore, the setting should be the darkest. Also, the scene would take place during a storm. The storm would symbolize the anger from the scene and the tension between the two.
5. Theme: I want the theme to be the exact same as the book. All of these the elements would convey the relationship. In return, the relationship and other aspects from the elements would reveal the main theme of the mechanical way they do things. I want the relationship to not be anything special or different. It should be relatable. The universality of the theme would cause the audience to find a common thread in their own life. They should be able to think about one couple or relationship in their life that they can see similarities they have with the relationship portrayed. The theme of motivation and revenge would take place as well. This would be more effective by showing the previous actions that lead to the overall fight. The ending will show how the father is getting back at the mother for all of the things he has to put up with.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
IRP-Film Blog
"Stand by Me" v. "The Body"
1.Plot: The plot of the movie was almost the exact as the plot of the book. The movie did a very good job as making the story come to life. For example, it very effectively brought out the sense of fear and anticipation when Gordie is faced with the train on the bridge. Actually, I felt more adrenaline and suspense when actually seeing it in the movie. A major difference that arose was the relationship between Denny and Gordie. In the book, Denny was "hardly more than an aquaintance"(page 298). In contrast, the movie showed the flashback of Gordie with Denny at the table and the giving of his hat. This showed that the two had a close bond and gave a sense of saddness for Gordie. This is because he is shown missing and reminiscing these times with his brother. As a result of this difference, the audience seemed to feel more sympathy towards Gordie because he was a lot more somber and sad about his brother's death. The book has scenes that the movie does not, such as Gordie's story called Stud City. Also, the movie has some scenes that the book does not, such as the mailbox baseball and Vern bringing the comb. These scenes make the movie have some comic relief almost. Lastly, the ending is not the same as the ending in the book. In the book, all of the friends die, but in the movie only Chris does. Also, it omits the part about Ace and his gang beating up all of the friends. These do not really impact the meaning of the story, but they do shift the feelings at the end of the movie. Personally, I felt that I was more sad at the end of the book than the end of the movie because of these facts and events in the end.
2. Point of View: I think that the movie was right on track with the story in this aspect. The movie was in first person according to Gordie. A difference I saw was Gordie as a narrator, though. In the movie, he really talked about himself the most. In the book, there is more about everyone else. Gordie is the main focus because he tells the story, but at the same time he is not because the spotlight is shared with Chris. For example, in the book Chris is the one who pulls the gun on Ace and his friends(page 414), and Chris is the one who is then beat up a lot worse than the other boys by Ace's gang(page 431). I think that this shows that in the book Gordie is more of an observer and giving all of the facts. In the book, he is in with everything, and he is giving the account from which he experienced. The director wanted the focus to be on Gordie, so he made Gordie have the gun at the end. The fight was more involving Gordie than Chris. I looked up why the director, Rob Reiner, did this, and it said he identified more with Gordie; therfore, he focused in on Gordie. In an interview with CBS, he said that "a lot of the feelings that Gordie was having were things that I had when I was young, growing up...It was also very reflective of my sensibility". Lastly, the adult Gordie seen in the beginning and end of the movie are not in the book.
3. Characterization: The charecterization between the movie and book were almost the exact same. I think that the movie did an amazing job at bringing the characters to life. For example, Teddy is effectively portrayed as "crazy" (page 296), especially during the scene of wanting to 'train dodge'. Also, Chris is continually shown "making peace" (page 435) in the movie just as he had been described in the book. In addition, characters such as Ace, Milo, and Gordie's parents were portrayed exactly how the book described them as. However, there were some differences that were seen though. In the movie, Chris pulls Teddy from the train tracks, but the book shows Gordie as the one who does this (page 333). I think that this shows that the movie showed Chris as more of the leader, but the book shows both Gordie and Chris as leaders. It is not just Chris who looks out after his friends. Also, the character of Mr. Dusset (page 343-344) is completely different in the movie. In the movie, he is more sympathetic towards Gordie, but in the book he tries to rip Gordie off. By doing this in the book, Mr. Dusset causes Gordie to react and go off on Mr. Dusset. The omission of this scene as a result of the change in character of Mr. Dusset causes the character of Gordie to be sympathized more. He does not seem like a rebel child. Instead, I think it emphasizes his saddness for the loss of his brother. Lastly, the character of Denny is seen as different through the flashbacks in the movie. In the book, Gordie sees Denny in "cynical awe"(page 312)and was not as sad about his death. Rather, he was haunted by Denny' death, shown through the dream of Denny saying "it should have been you, Gordon"(page 313). In the movie, Gordie sees Denny as a role model and had a very close bond with him. He is very sad by the death of him, which is shown through a few scenes of crying over his death.
4. Setting: The setting of the movie and book is not exactly the same. The movie was set in 1959, but the book was set in 1960. This did not seem very important, so I looked it up and a website said that it was probably to emphasize the "nostagia value". This would be because of the adult Gordie being present in the movie. Although this is true, I think that the life of the kids during this time period was seen in the same way in both the movie and the book. The one year did not seem to make that much of a difference. Lastly, the movie was set in Oregon while the book was set in "Maine" (page 300). I read on one website that "most of Stephen King's books" were set in Maine, so I am not sure why this was changed for the movie. Even though the state was changed, the city, Castle Rock, remains the same.
5. Theme: The theme of "The Body" is definitely seen in the "Stand by Me". Friendship is the major part of both works. The book shows the importance of Gordie's friendships when he says "I've never had any friends like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, did you?" (page 341). The movie adds to this theme by showing how close the friends really were. In the movie, Gordie and Chris each share a time when they cry with each other. I was almost shocked because people never really think about boys crying like this to each other. The support and love that each of them share for each other really proved that their friendship was more than just playing and hanging out. There was emotional trust and the ability to open up and share thier true feelings with each other. Other events in the movie that support the overall value of friendship are the boys singing the theme song for "Have Gun-Will Travel", pinky swearing, and doing 'two for flinching'. Lastly, the added scene in the end of the movie involving adult Gordie, his son, and his son's friend shows the timelessness of friendship. Gordie had great friends, and he seems to connect with his son and reminisce when he sees his son with his friend. I think that this connection strengthens the theme of growing up as well because it shows how Gordie sees friendship now that he is older. I think the ending of the movie shows that the older Gordie values and finds happiness in both his past friendship and in the friendship his son has.
1.Plot: The plot of the movie was almost the exact as the plot of the book. The movie did a very good job as making the story come to life. For example, it very effectively brought out the sense of fear and anticipation when Gordie is faced with the train on the bridge. Actually, I felt more adrenaline and suspense when actually seeing it in the movie. A major difference that arose was the relationship between Denny and Gordie. In the book, Denny was "hardly more than an aquaintance"(page 298). In contrast, the movie showed the flashback of Gordie with Denny at the table and the giving of his hat. This showed that the two had a close bond and gave a sense of saddness for Gordie. This is because he is shown missing and reminiscing these times with his brother. As a result of this difference, the audience seemed to feel more sympathy towards Gordie because he was a lot more somber and sad about his brother's death. The book has scenes that the movie does not, such as Gordie's story called Stud City. Also, the movie has some scenes that the book does not, such as the mailbox baseball and Vern bringing the comb. These scenes make the movie have some comic relief almost. Lastly, the ending is not the same as the ending in the book. In the book, all of the friends die, but in the movie only Chris does. Also, it omits the part about Ace and his gang beating up all of the friends. These do not really impact the meaning of the story, but they do shift the feelings at the end of the movie. Personally, I felt that I was more sad at the end of the book than the end of the movie because of these facts and events in the end.
2. Point of View: I think that the movie was right on track with the story in this aspect. The movie was in first person according to Gordie. A difference I saw was Gordie as a narrator, though. In the movie, he really talked about himself the most. In the book, there is more about everyone else. Gordie is the main focus because he tells the story, but at the same time he is not because the spotlight is shared with Chris. For example, in the book Chris is the one who pulls the gun on Ace and his friends(page 414), and Chris is the one who is then beat up a lot worse than the other boys by Ace's gang(page 431). I think that this shows that in the book Gordie is more of an observer and giving all of the facts. In the book, he is in with everything, and he is giving the account from which he experienced. The director wanted the focus to be on Gordie, so he made Gordie have the gun at the end. The fight was more involving Gordie than Chris. I looked up why the director, Rob Reiner, did this, and it said he identified more with Gordie; therfore, he focused in on Gordie. In an interview with CBS, he said that "a lot of the feelings that Gordie was having were things that I had when I was young, growing up...It was also very reflective of my sensibility". Lastly, the adult Gordie seen in the beginning and end of the movie are not in the book.
3. Characterization: The charecterization between the movie and book were almost the exact same. I think that the movie did an amazing job at bringing the characters to life. For example, Teddy is effectively portrayed as "crazy" (page 296), especially during the scene of wanting to 'train dodge'. Also, Chris is continually shown "making peace" (page 435) in the movie just as he had been described in the book. In addition, characters such as Ace, Milo, and Gordie's parents were portrayed exactly how the book described them as. However, there were some differences that were seen though. In the movie, Chris pulls Teddy from the train tracks, but the book shows Gordie as the one who does this (page 333). I think that this shows that the movie showed Chris as more of the leader, but the book shows both Gordie and Chris as leaders. It is not just Chris who looks out after his friends. Also, the character of Mr. Dusset (page 343-344) is completely different in the movie. In the movie, he is more sympathetic towards Gordie, but in the book he tries to rip Gordie off. By doing this in the book, Mr. Dusset causes Gordie to react and go off on Mr. Dusset. The omission of this scene as a result of the change in character of Mr. Dusset causes the character of Gordie to be sympathized more. He does not seem like a rebel child. Instead, I think it emphasizes his saddness for the loss of his brother. Lastly, the character of Denny is seen as different through the flashbacks in the movie. In the book, Gordie sees Denny in "cynical awe"(page 312)and was not as sad about his death. Rather, he was haunted by Denny' death, shown through the dream of Denny saying "it should have been you, Gordon"(page 313). In the movie, Gordie sees Denny as a role model and had a very close bond with him. He is very sad by the death of him, which is shown through a few scenes of crying over his death.
4. Setting: The setting of the movie and book is not exactly the same. The movie was set in 1959, but the book was set in 1960. This did not seem very important, so I looked it up and a website said that it was probably to emphasize the "nostagia value". This would be because of the adult Gordie being present in the movie. Although this is true, I think that the life of the kids during this time period was seen in the same way in both the movie and the book. The one year did not seem to make that much of a difference. Lastly, the movie was set in Oregon while the book was set in "Maine" (page 300). I read on one website that "most of Stephen King's books" were set in Maine, so I am not sure why this was changed for the movie. Even though the state was changed, the city, Castle Rock, remains the same.
5. Theme: The theme of "The Body" is definitely seen in the "Stand by Me". Friendship is the major part of both works. The book shows the importance of Gordie's friendships when he says "I've never had any friends like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, did you?" (page 341). The movie adds to this theme by showing how close the friends really were. In the movie, Gordie and Chris each share a time when they cry with each other. I was almost shocked because people never really think about boys crying like this to each other. The support and love that each of them share for each other really proved that their friendship was more than just playing and hanging out. There was emotional trust and the ability to open up and share thier true feelings with each other. Other events in the movie that support the overall value of friendship are the boys singing the theme song for "Have Gun-Will Travel", pinky swearing, and doing 'two for flinching'. Lastly, the added scene in the end of the movie involving adult Gordie, his son, and his son's friend shows the timelessness of friendship. Gordie had great friends, and he seems to connect with his son and reminisce when he sees his son with his friend. I think that this connection strengthens the theme of growing up as well because it shows how Gordie sees friendship now that he is older. I think the ending of the movie shows that the older Gordie values and finds happiness in both his past friendship and in the friendship his son has.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Potpourri Blog #4
"You're Ugly,Too"
At first, I felt really bad for Zoe. She was making her life a joke, but it seemed like deep down it made her sad. She made a joke about her not getting married when she said "I'm not married? Oh , my God..I forgot to get married"(30). I thought this was funny, but at the same time I felt bad. I thought of those people who joke about themselves to cope with sadness. Then, when Evan tells her she is getting married she is just blank. I think that showed that she really wished she could get married. Also, on page 363 when it says "This was what she'd become:a woman alone at the movies with everything in a Baggie". This allows shows that she isn't content with what she is. By the end of the story though, I really didn't like Zoe. She was so rude to Earl. He seemed genuine, and she didn't even give him a chance. She then pretty much called him a "fag" on page 369, and she pretend to push him off the balcony. None of this is funny. It is just plain rude.
At first, I felt really bad for Zoe. She was making her life a joke, but it seemed like deep down it made her sad. She made a joke about her not getting married when she said "I'm not married? Oh , my God..I forgot to get married"(30). I thought this was funny, but at the same time I felt bad. I thought of those people who joke about themselves to cope with sadness. Then, when Evan tells her she is getting married she is just blank. I think that showed that she really wished she could get married. Also, on page 363 when it says "This was what she'd become:a woman alone at the movies with everything in a Baggie". This allows shows that she isn't content with what she is. By the end of the story though, I really didn't like Zoe. She was so rude to Earl. He seemed genuine, and she didn't even give him a chance. She then pretty much called him a "fag" on page 369, and she pretend to push him off the balcony. None of this is funny. It is just plain rude.
Potpourri Blog #3
"Popular Mechanics"#3
Carver uses events before the climax and main, central conflict of the story occur. One of the events would be the woman picking up the baby's picture. The man immediately demands for the picture back. This fight symbolizes the later fight over the actual baby. They seem to treat the picture better than the actual baby. The actual baby is pretty much dehumanized by the parents actions towards it. The way they fight over the baby is the way they should have been fighting for the picture. The way they fight for the picture is the way they should fight for the baby. Instead, they physically fight over the baby rather than verbally. Lastly, when "they knocked down a flowerpot"(26-27), this symbolized both their relationship and the actualy baby. In regards to their relationship, it is now broken, just as the flowerpot. When it comes to the baby, we do not know for sure if the baby is hurt physically when it was "slipping out of his handand he pulled back very hard"(35). The baby may have been broken physically. Either way, he will have a broken family life as a result of this fight. Also, the baby will most likely suffer from emotional damage.
Carver uses events before the climax and main, central conflict of the story occur. One of the events would be the woman picking up the baby's picture. The man immediately demands for the picture back. This fight symbolizes the later fight over the actual baby. They seem to treat the picture better than the actual baby. The actual baby is pretty much dehumanized by the parents actions towards it. The way they fight over the baby is the way they should have been fighting for the picture. The way they fight for the picture is the way they should fight for the baby. Instead, they physically fight over the baby rather than verbally. Lastly, when "they knocked down a flowerpot"(26-27), this symbolized both their relationship and the actualy baby. In regards to their relationship, it is now broken, just as the flowerpot. When it comes to the baby, we do not know for sure if the baby is hurt physically when it was "slipping out of his handand he pulled back very hard"(35). The baby may have been broken physically. Either way, he will have a broken family life as a result of this fight. Also, the baby will most likely suffer from emotional damage.
Potpourri Blog #2
"The Drunkard" #4
The title is not seriously meant. It is a form of irony, which adds to the humor of the story. The story's humor is caused by the irony in the story. The irony that the title refers to is the most important ironic event in the story. This is the boy getting drunk. The boy drinks his father's beer, and the father is the alcoholic. The father is the one who is expected to get drunk in the story. In the beginnning it refers to his drinking patterns(page 344), which occur at funerals usually. Since the boy and father are at a funeral, the reader would expect the father to get drunk. Ironically, it is his son. The reversal of roles between the son and father causes other ironies in the story. It also reveals the source of humor, irony. The title refers to the son since he is the one who gets drunk. The father is expected to be the one, but he is not.
The title is not seriously meant. It is a form of irony, which adds to the humor of the story. The story's humor is caused by the irony in the story. The irony that the title refers to is the most important ironic event in the story. This is the boy getting drunk. The boy drinks his father's beer, and the father is the alcoholic. The father is the one who is expected to get drunk in the story. In the beginnning it refers to his drinking patterns(page 344), which occur at funerals usually. Since the boy and father are at a funeral, the reader would expect the father to get drunk. Ironically, it is his son. The reversal of roles between the son and father causes other ironies in the story. It also reveals the source of humor, irony. The title refers to the son since he is the one who gets drunk. The father is expected to be the one, but he is not.
Potpourri Blog #1
"The Lottery" #5
There are many points of view regarding the lottery in the story, which causes the attitude of the story to be portrayed. Mr Summers' attitude is that he is in full support of the lottery. In fact, he wants to get a new box since the old one is obviously breaking(page 265). This shows he wants to continue the lottery. He has no intents of letting it end any time soon. Old Man Warner's attitude towards the lottery is that it is necessary, and he takes it very seriously. This is seen on page 270, when he is saying things are not the way they used to. He doesn't like change. Rather, he wants all of the lottery traditions to be upheld. He wants things to continue like they have been. Change could ultimately lead to the demise of their lottery tradition. Mr. and Mrs. Adams attitudes are that they are following blindly what others do. They are the ones who say that other communities are "talking of giving up the lottery"(page268). They have no opinion of this, except that if it is what others are doing they take interest. It seems that they are the ones who might be looking for change, but change in the sense of giving up the lottery. They want to do what everyone else does. They don't care about the lottery as much as others because the reaction of Old Man Warner to this information shows that he took it to heart while the Adams didn't. Mrs. Hutchinson's attitude is somewhat unclear. At first she agrees, but then she doesn't when her family is choosen. Lastly, the entire communities attitude is somewhat nervous, entertained, and mostly unclear. They are nervous from the fact that Mr. Adams and Mr. Summers "grinned at each other..nervously"(page 267). They are enteratained in the fact that they all go. Lastly, it is unclear because they all follow the tradition for no apparent reason.
There are many points of view regarding the lottery in the story, which causes the attitude of the story to be portrayed. Mr Summers' attitude is that he is in full support of the lottery. In fact, he wants to get a new box since the old one is obviously breaking(page 265). This shows he wants to continue the lottery. He has no intents of letting it end any time soon. Old Man Warner's attitude towards the lottery is that it is necessary, and he takes it very seriously. This is seen on page 270, when he is saying things are not the way they used to. He doesn't like change. Rather, he wants all of the lottery traditions to be upheld. He wants things to continue like they have been. Change could ultimately lead to the demise of their lottery tradition. Mr. and Mrs. Adams attitudes are that they are following blindly what others do. They are the ones who say that other communities are "talking of giving up the lottery"(page268). They have no opinion of this, except that if it is what others are doing they take interest. It seems that they are the ones who might be looking for change, but change in the sense of giving up the lottery. They want to do what everyone else does. They don't care about the lottery as much as others because the reaction of Old Man Warner to this information shows that he took it to heart while the Adams didn't. Mrs. Hutchinson's attitude is somewhat unclear. At first she agrees, but then she doesn't when her family is choosen. Lastly, the entire communities attitude is somewhat nervous, entertained, and mostly unclear. They are nervous from the fact that Mr. Adams and Mr. Summers "grinned at each other..nervously"(page 267). They are enteratained in the fact that they all go. Lastly, it is unclear because they all follow the tradition for no apparent reason.
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