PLOT
I chose "A Rose For Emily" as the short story I would want to see adapted to film. I think the plot for this story would be perfect because it only allows the reader to learn small pieces of Emily's life and they are not in order. This would allow for small details to be added that could only be done in a movie. My favorite kind of movies are the one that have a twist on the end or that make the viewer rethink the actions they have seen and what they mean in light of the new information. IN the plot of this short story, we are told various details of Emily's life but it is not till the end that we learn of Emily's habits that we piece together the significance of he past actions.
POINT OF VIEW
this story is narrated by the towns people as a whole. Because of this the movie version of this story could be taken in many directions. One idea that has become popular in the last few years is where the movie is filmed like an amature is filming for a documentary. This may be an interesting way to hear from all the towns people and keep the same perspective. It may also be interesting to work backwards like a murder mystery. It may begin where the characters have just found the dead bodies in Emily's house and they need to uncover the story of her past to figure out what happened. These different perspectives would change the story a lot but there are very few ways the short story told with the entire towns people as the narrator could be worked into a film.
CHARACTERIZATION
In the short story we only learn about other characters through gossip. This would be workable if the movie was filmed in a documentary way or with a murder mystery. I think i would also want to include a little about who the townspeople are in general because as a reader we learn very little about them. This is inescapeable in a way because in film we can see the way the towns people act in stead of just simple reading about them. I also think it would be interesting to show what Emily looks like. She is described in the story very spicificaly to ensure that the reader notices the gray hair. however, it also includes and intersestin describtion of her.
SETTING
A central theme of the short story is that Emily is stuck in the past. With in the story this is seen with Emily's actions and words. For example, she won't pay taxes because her father never had to since he helped the town out, but it is now yeas later. She also doesn't leave her house so she no longer knows who is living and who isn't. Because of this theme, the setting of Emily's house in the film would include many out dated things to show her obsession with the past. She may lack new technology, access to current events ect. Further more, I would want this to show in her clothing and the way she speaks also. The town would need to be shown as close knit. this is because they all share gossip and they all know of Emily. This means it would probably have to be a small town run by local businesses in the movie.
THEME
I would want to keep the theme of not letting go of the past to remain the same in both the short story and the movie. The theme of the story is shown by the towns people's reactions to Emily and when they enter Emily's house. I would want to keep this is similar as possible. This creates a dramatic and creepy atmosphere in the story. The movie would show how even the nicest and closest knot towns have their secrets. I would want the movie to add to the story rather than deminish its theme. This is contrary to how many modern hollywood movies replace the theme with something that the audience "wants" to see. I would want to avoid this by sticking to the theme.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
film blog The Bicenenial Man
PLOT
The plot in the film, The Bicentennial Man, while based off of the short story, had many differences. yes, there is a Robot named Andrew who is seeking to become human and fight for his rights; however, there is different characters, events, and a love story thrown in that make it different from the short story. These are events and characters that tend to be more attractive to people in the film making career and they attract film-watchers. In the movie, Little Miss falls in love with Andew but decides she needs to marry a human. Andrew makes a house on the beach which he does not have in the short story. He also does not get along with George, Little miss' son. George has a daughter in the movie that Andrew falls in love with. It is more so that he can be with Little Miss' granddaughter tan so he can fight for his rights, that he becomes human physically. Andrew also spends alot of time in the movie traveling the world looking for robots like himself. This is how he meets a scientist that is creating human skin and organs for robots. In the story, Andrew creates all this himself. Proving that he is in dependant and a contributor to society. The plot still asks who deserves rights and freedom but it directs the question more at who deserves to be loved rather than a political stance of right and wrong.
POINT OF VIEW
The movie is still told from Andrew's point of view. Movies are always different from stories because we can not hear what the characters are thinking but we can tell from their actions. In the movies point of view Andrew makes himself become mortal so that he can die along with his wife. In the book Andrew wants to become mortal so that he can be a human being and referd to as a living man. The intentions are different so as to create a dramatic love scene for movie-goers. Andrew, in the movie, feels he is a lone due to his uniqueness. He does not fit in with robots because he can think like a human but he does not fit in with humans because he is a robot. Becaue of this point of view Andrew is determined to travel the world until he finds a robot who is like him. He also seeks companionship in a lover that is human. He finds this in the end and it is the cause of his immortality. In the book Andre's quest is more political and scientific. He wants to help society so he creates medical treatments and he wants to help robots so he writes a book and he fights for their rights. Andrew most of all wants to be considered a man and be equal with all of society and that is why he causes his own mortallity.
CHARACTERIZATION
The most important characters in this story are Andrew, Little Miss, and Sir. In both the short story and the movie this is consistant. However, in the movie, there are many different characters. Andrew moves from being closest to Little Miss then to falling in love with Little Miss' granddaughter. Paul and George are not characters in the movie. This is because Andrew has a political relationship with these two men and in the movie he is not interested inpolitics but in love. Another important character in the movie is the scientist. He is discovered by andrew when he is traveling the world looking for a robot like himself. This scientist is able to make Andrew look like a human being by providing him with fake human-like skin. Andrew helps him engeneer the human organs for himself. Andrew does this so he can be more human and have a human wife. The characters are different in the movie mainly because Andrew has a different set of intrests. this is all intertwined with the plot and the theme of love versus the theme of human dignity.
SETTING
The time setting in this story is what is most noticable. The story takes place over a two hundred year span (hence the title) which shows more about the story plot than a physical place does. An important detail left out of the movie is a succsess story of Andrew's. A honnorary dinnner was held for andrew in which a toast was given for the "Sesquicentennial Robot". This was left out of the movie because it was a matter of politics in the short story while andrew's age and purpose in the movie is to becme a man who can be with his wife. The setting in the movie is geared more towards Andrew's quest to included in humanity through exceptance of others. this is seen in his travels around the world and his relations with people. The setting is altered to show Andrew's priotities with love relationships instead of relationships with politics andscience.
THEME
Often times when a literary work is converted into a film, the theme is lost amoung the Hollywood adaptions. This was certainly the case with this short story. In the story the reader is compelled to look at how human dignity is dispersed and waht qualifies an individual for rights and equality. the movie displays a "cute" love story and a robotic man's search to be loved as a human. The fact that love is the central theme in the film permits some of the narrations most crucial issues to be neglected. this is apparent in in the plot, point of view, characterization, and the setting. The short story is presented as a creative satire in which major flaws of society are pointed out. the theme of the short story (struggle in searching for freedom and equality) can beapplied to past historical events and future events. Unfortunately this message is over shadowed in the movie with Andrew's pursuit to be loved as a human being.
The plot in the film, The Bicentennial Man, while based off of the short story, had many differences. yes, there is a Robot named Andrew who is seeking to become human and fight for his rights; however, there is different characters, events, and a love story thrown in that make it different from the short story. These are events and characters that tend to be more attractive to people in the film making career and they attract film-watchers. In the movie, Little Miss falls in love with Andew but decides she needs to marry a human. Andrew makes a house on the beach which he does not have in the short story. He also does not get along with George, Little miss' son. George has a daughter in the movie that Andrew falls in love with. It is more so that he can be with Little Miss' granddaughter tan so he can fight for his rights, that he becomes human physically. Andrew also spends alot of time in the movie traveling the world looking for robots like himself. This is how he meets a scientist that is creating human skin and organs for robots. In the story, Andrew creates all this himself. Proving that he is in dependant and a contributor to society. The plot still asks who deserves rights and freedom but it directs the question more at who deserves to be loved rather than a political stance of right and wrong.
POINT OF VIEW
The movie is still told from Andrew's point of view. Movies are always different from stories because we can not hear what the characters are thinking but we can tell from their actions. In the movies point of view Andrew makes himself become mortal so that he can die along with his wife. In the book Andrew wants to become mortal so that he can be a human being and referd to as a living man. The intentions are different so as to create a dramatic love scene for movie-goers. Andrew, in the movie, feels he is a lone due to his uniqueness. He does not fit in with robots because he can think like a human but he does not fit in with humans because he is a robot. Becaue of this point of view Andrew is determined to travel the world until he finds a robot who is like him. He also seeks companionship in a lover that is human. He finds this in the end and it is the cause of his immortality. In the book Andre's quest is more political and scientific. He wants to help society so he creates medical treatments and he wants to help robots so he writes a book and he fights for their rights. Andrew most of all wants to be considered a man and be equal with all of society and that is why he causes his own mortallity.
CHARACTERIZATION
The most important characters in this story are Andrew, Little Miss, and Sir. In both the short story and the movie this is consistant. However, in the movie, there are many different characters. Andrew moves from being closest to Little Miss then to falling in love with Little Miss' granddaughter. Paul and George are not characters in the movie. This is because Andrew has a political relationship with these two men and in the movie he is not interested inpolitics but in love. Another important character in the movie is the scientist. He is discovered by andrew when he is traveling the world looking for a robot like himself. This scientist is able to make Andrew look like a human being by providing him with fake human-like skin. Andrew helps him engeneer the human organs for himself. Andrew does this so he can be more human and have a human wife. The characters are different in the movie mainly because Andrew has a different set of intrests. this is all intertwined with the plot and the theme of love versus the theme of human dignity.
SETTING
The time setting in this story is what is most noticable. The story takes place over a two hundred year span (hence the title) which shows more about the story plot than a physical place does. An important detail left out of the movie is a succsess story of Andrew's. A honnorary dinnner was held for andrew in which a toast was given for the "Sesquicentennial Robot". This was left out of the movie because it was a matter of politics in the short story while andrew's age and purpose in the movie is to becme a man who can be with his wife. The setting in the movie is geared more towards Andrew's quest to included in humanity through exceptance of others. this is seen in his travels around the world and his relations with people. The setting is altered to show Andrew's priotities with love relationships instead of relationships with politics andscience.
THEME
Often times when a literary work is converted into a film, the theme is lost amoung the Hollywood adaptions. This was certainly the case with this short story. In the story the reader is compelled to look at how human dignity is dispersed and waht qualifies an individual for rights and equality. the movie displays a "cute" love story and a robotic man's search to be loved as a human. The fact that love is the central theme in the film permits some of the narrations most crucial issues to be neglected. this is apparent in in the plot, point of view, characterization, and the setting. The short story is presented as a creative satire in which major flaws of society are pointed out. the theme of the short story (struggle in searching for freedom and equality) can beapplied to past historical events and future events. Unfortunately this message is over shadowed in the movie with Andrew's pursuit to be loved as a human being.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
The Bicentennial Man
PLOT
The plot of a story interconnects symbols, characters, and themes to convey the message of the author. The plot of "The Bicentennial Man" tells the story of a robetic man with a human soul and his quest to become human. This robot is named Andrew and he is immortal (machine can not die). Andrew has contributed vastly to society. He has written books, created art, and invented biological organs that can help the human race live much longer. Even with these contributions Andrew is constanly fighting so simply be an eaqual.Andrew asks for "As simple a thing as my right to life." (page 2830 The plot allows the reader to sympathize with Andrew. Everyone in the world can relate to the desire for freedom and the desire to be included. The plot asks the reader how they define what is human and what deserves equal rights as humans. "The truth is, I want to be a man. I have wanted it through six generations of human beings." (page 283) The plot is unique in that is represents something from the future (robotic men); however, there is still other debates on this subject of right to life and equality that have been fought for hundreds of years.
POINT OF VIEW
The story is told in third person from Andrew's persepctive. Because of this, the reader automaticly sides with Andrew in his quest for humanity." This is somewhat unnatural because most people would not side with a robot. On the other hand, since the reader knows of Andrew's entire life and desires they learn of all his depth they can see his need to be human. From this point of view the reader can see Andrew's soul. It is impossible to deni something with a soul equal treatment yet society does it all the time. In fact, many people who have read this story and inwardly cheered Andrew allong in his quest for his righ to life have also supported abortion, euthenasia, and have judged other races or those who are disabled. The author has created a saterical message in this way. Andrew said, "If I decide to fight for humanity will you be on my side?" (page 284). It is because the robot is presented with a soul that readers can sympathize with him but I feel that the author is indirectly pleding with readers to see the soul in everyone.
CHARACTERIZATION
There is a vast range of characters in this story. Because Andrew is imortal, he has dealt with "six generations of human beings." (page 283) the author doesn't go into too much depth describing the characters other than andrew. The reader knows that Andrew starts out his life with Sir, Little Miss, Miss, and Ma'ma. It is with this family that Andrew learns that he is unique and Sir guides him on his way to becomeing more than just a robot. Andrew is also very close to Little Miss and it is her liniage that he remains in contact with. When andrew dies his last words are, "Little Miss" (page 290). This is because This was andrew's true family and the ones who "raised" him and taught him how to succeed and be loved. After Sir dies Andrew is most close to George (Little Miss's son) then paul (George's son). He calls these characters by their first name showing how he is on more equal terms with them. Andrew also interacts with quite a few other characters such as politicians and scientists. With his relations to these characters Andrew is able to impact the world and the reader learns of Andrew's personality.
SETTING
This story takes place in a futuristic setting over a two hundred year time period; hence the title "The BICENTENNIAL Man". The story indirectly takes us throgh the future-history of the world. We learn that the government is world wide and also governs the moon where people live and vist often. The story also takes us through the different forms of fashion. It begins with the modern clothes we were now (trousers and shirts) then "Paul had taken to weraing the heavy makeup that fashion was dictating for both sexes." (page 267) Alvin Magdescu wore "nothing above the wast but the breastband that fashion dictated." (page 277)and Chee Li-Hsing wore "transparent harments (obscuring wheat she wanted obscured only by their dazzle)"(page282). However, "Andrew clung as closely as he could within the limits of reasonable taste, to the style of clothing that had prevailed when he had first adopted clothing." (page 286. This shows how andrew remains closest to the way life was when he was first created. He also sticks to what is "out-dated" in clothes and in his values. He values freedom and dignity for all while the rest of the world has moved on to bigger things. The setting helps us to understand Andrew's values and the values of society as it progresses.
THEME
the theme of this story challenges the reader to ask where they believe the line is drawn in equality. Through out history, humans have struggles with freedom. We nasturally want to be the best and we separate ourselves from those who are different; the poor, the disabled, different cultures, or even different appearances. This is such an issue that wars have been fought over and lives taken. The story presents this aspect in a different light because Andrew is not quite Human.It takes two hundred years for Andrew to single-handedly convince the world that he had a soul and was an equal. The more technologically advanced we get the more we seem to be playing god. THis is seen through genetic engenering, abortion,cloning, and it may very well be used for human-like robots. It is seen in this story that the humans were not happy that Andrew was unique. They changed their robots so they would not be able to think like andrew. I think this goes to show that Humans feel they still need to be the dominate race and that we are the creators and can chose what goes and what stays. I think this is a theme that has been an issue for all ages and will continue to be.
The plot of a story interconnects symbols, characters, and themes to convey the message of the author. The plot of "The Bicentennial Man" tells the story of a robetic man with a human soul and his quest to become human. This robot is named Andrew and he is immortal (machine can not die). Andrew has contributed vastly to society. He has written books, created art, and invented biological organs that can help the human race live much longer. Even with these contributions Andrew is constanly fighting so simply be an eaqual.Andrew asks for "As simple a thing as my right to life." (page 2830 The plot allows the reader to sympathize with Andrew. Everyone in the world can relate to the desire for freedom and the desire to be included. The plot asks the reader how they define what is human and what deserves equal rights as humans. "The truth is, I want to be a man. I have wanted it through six generations of human beings." (page 283) The plot is unique in that is represents something from the future (robotic men); however, there is still other debates on this subject of right to life and equality that have been fought for hundreds of years.
POINT OF VIEW
The story is told in third person from Andrew's persepctive. Because of this, the reader automaticly sides with Andrew in his quest for humanity." This is somewhat unnatural because most people would not side with a robot. On the other hand, since the reader knows of Andrew's entire life and desires they learn of all his depth they can see his need to be human. From this point of view the reader can see Andrew's soul. It is impossible to deni something with a soul equal treatment yet society does it all the time. In fact, many people who have read this story and inwardly cheered Andrew allong in his quest for his righ to life have also supported abortion, euthenasia, and have judged other races or those who are disabled. The author has created a saterical message in this way. Andrew said, "If I decide to fight for humanity will you be on my side?" (page 284). It is because the robot is presented with a soul that readers can sympathize with him but I feel that the author is indirectly pleding with readers to see the soul in everyone.
CHARACTERIZATION
There is a vast range of characters in this story. Because Andrew is imortal, he has dealt with "six generations of human beings." (page 283) the author doesn't go into too much depth describing the characters other than andrew. The reader knows that Andrew starts out his life with Sir, Little Miss, Miss, and Ma'ma. It is with this family that Andrew learns that he is unique and Sir guides him on his way to becomeing more than just a robot. Andrew is also very close to Little Miss and it is her liniage that he remains in contact with. When andrew dies his last words are, "Little Miss" (page 290). This is because This was andrew's true family and the ones who "raised" him and taught him how to succeed and be loved. After Sir dies Andrew is most close to George (Little Miss's son) then paul (George's son). He calls these characters by their first name showing how he is on more equal terms with them. Andrew also interacts with quite a few other characters such as politicians and scientists. With his relations to these characters Andrew is able to impact the world and the reader learns of Andrew's personality.
SETTING
This story takes place in a futuristic setting over a two hundred year time period; hence the title "The BICENTENNIAL Man". The story indirectly takes us throgh the future-history of the world. We learn that the government is world wide and also governs the moon where people live and vist often. The story also takes us through the different forms of fashion. It begins with the modern clothes we were now (trousers and shirts) then "Paul had taken to weraing the heavy makeup that fashion was dictating for both sexes." (page 267) Alvin Magdescu wore "nothing above the wast but the breastband that fashion dictated." (page 277)and Chee Li-Hsing wore "transparent harments (obscuring wheat she wanted obscured only by their dazzle)"(page282). However, "Andrew clung as closely as he could within the limits of reasonable taste, to the style of clothing that had prevailed when he had first adopted clothing." (page 286. This shows how andrew remains closest to the way life was when he was first created. He also sticks to what is "out-dated" in clothes and in his values. He values freedom and dignity for all while the rest of the world has moved on to bigger things. The setting helps us to understand Andrew's values and the values of society as it progresses.
THEME
the theme of this story challenges the reader to ask where they believe the line is drawn in equality. Through out history, humans have struggles with freedom. We nasturally want to be the best and we separate ourselves from those who are different; the poor, the disabled, different cultures, or even different appearances. This is such an issue that wars have been fought over and lives taken. The story presents this aspect in a different light because Andrew is not quite Human.It takes two hundred years for Andrew to single-handedly convince the world that he had a soul and was an equal. The more technologically advanced we get the more we seem to be playing god. THis is seen through genetic engenering, abortion,cloning, and it may very well be used for human-like robots. It is seen in this story that the humans were not happy that Andrew was unique. They changed their robots so they would not be able to think like andrew. I think this goes to show that Humans feel they still need to be the dominate race and that we are the creators and can chose what goes and what stays. I think this is a theme that has been an issue for all ages and will continue to be.
Divorce Sucks
More than half of Americans' marriges end in divorce. Often when children are involved there is a battle for custody that to me can seem to be more spiteful than really wanting what is best for the child. This story shows a very dramatic way of how divorce hurts children and splits up families. The title "Popular Mechanics" uses the word popular because this truly is a popular event in our modern society.We do not know why the parents are fighting and this makes us unable to determine who should really get the baby. However this is insignificant in the end because the story is conveying the harnm the parents conflict on the child. Neither parent really seems to care about the child they just want to win the battle and make the other suffer. There is a story in the bible where two women are fighting over a child and king solomon says they should cut the baby in half and each revieve half. This also shows how little they actually care about the child just getting what they want.
Do you like Zoe?
I found Zoe to be hysterical. She has a sarcastic and ironic tone through out the story and is very blunt. Zoe is a school teacher and we first learn about her through her relationship with her students. They often describe her as being crazy and singing in class. They are very judgemental of her and she often has to take vacations. Zoe travels to see her sister who informs her that she is getting married. Zoe says that this is nice and then goes on to tell her sister of a story of a girl who liked to play the violin and when she got married her husband made her stop and she learned to like softball instead. Zoe later tells this story to Earl but it has a different ending in which the violinist kills herself. This shows how Zoe views love and marriage but how she also respects her sister and doesn't want to hurt her. There is Irony in the way Earl is dressed like a women and he wants to talk about love and how Zoe plays more of the a males role by getting earl a drink and she has toilet paper on her chin as if she shaved. I enjoyed the humor and irony in this story.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
He ruined my night and he didn't save me any porter!
The irony in this story was immense. The story begins with the description of a character that seems to annoy most people yet his funeral has many attendants. I think this is most likely due to the free liquor after the funeral. This is certainly the case for "Father". However Father doesn't even get to drink. The young boy wants to do anything possible to keep his father from drinking because he has seen the consequences. It is ironic that he succeeds in this mission only by drinking the alcohol himself. The father then has to deal with the consequences. I wasn't quite sure how old the boy was but he seemed young to me because he calls his father Dadda and he wasn't allowed to be left alone. Yet when this boy is drunk he has the diction of a much older man. This was also ironic in a way because now that the father was actually taking care of his son, his son was sounding like an adult man. The last line of the story is the mother praising the boy for being a guardian angel. This too is ironic. How is it that God would send a boy to go get drunk and in the end injured and embarrasses. But I guess in a way the boy did keep his father from drinking and his family from suffering the consequences.
Is it odd that people said they thought of me when they read this story?
Ok so its true I always like the more grotesque, weird stories. They're so much more interesting! The title "The Lottery" makes the reader think that this is something you can win or something you want. However this is definately not something I would want to "win". Also the town all gathers and is almost seems like a town party or another social event. The tension doens't really begin until the papers are drawn from the box. Mrs. Hurchinson claims that the lottery wasn't fair and she has some how been unfairly chosen. I think it is obvious that Mrs. Hurchinson has a background story unknown to the reader. This is apparent when she shows up late to the lottery and everyone says things as she walks through the crowd. These comments seem to be good though so I don't understand why the town would be plotting against her. The town and the families show very little emotion or the kind of emotion that would generally be associated with stoning somebody. They hardly seem nervous. I found it cruel when it is narrowed down to the Hutchinson family and when the other family members find out it is not them they rejoice instead of mourning that one of their family is going to be killed.
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