FALL
2021, ENG 1001, Veach
Essay
# 3: movie analysis
Worth: 200 points
Length: 1,000 words (minimum – it’s okay if your
essay is longer)
Due:
Rough draft for peer review: Wednesday, 10/20 (MW class); Thursday, 10/21
(TR class)
Final
Drafft: Monday 11/1 by 11:59 p.m. in the
D2L drop box (MW class); Tuesday 11/2 by 11:59
p.m. in the D2L drop box (TR class)
Sources: A minimum of 2 outside sources are required,
using MLA documentation style to cite them
DIRECTIONS:
For
this assignment, USING THE APPROVED LIST BELOW, you are to select an animated
movie aimed at a younger audience and examine the subtle, stereotypical
messages the film conveys. Are there
stereotypes in the portrayal of characters?
Is there stereotypical political or religious indoctrination in the
message or theme(s) of the movie? Pay particular attention to the visuals of
the film, the way characters are illustrated.
Do the heroes LOOK different from the villains of the movie, for example?
If so, how?
Some
areas to consider include stereotypes
related to group identity (race
and/or nationality, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, socio-economic
status, political viewpoint, etc.), stereotypes
related to physical attributes (height, weight, attractiveness, hair and
eye color, vocal qualities, etc.), stereotypes
related to mental, moral, emotional attributes (intelligence, sense of
humor, honesty, kindness, compassion, integrity, bravery, empathy, etc.), and
so forth. You may choose to focus your discussion on one of those categories, or
upon several – but if you choose to explore multiple categories, make sure your
thesis is broad enough to handle your topic.
Consider the
year the movie was released – are there any historic events or cultural/societal
values from that timeframe that may have shaped the stereotypical portrayal of
certain characters in the movie? For example, how is Cinderella (1950) shaped by that era’s attitudes
toward women and marriage? Was Aladdin (1992) impacted by anti-Arab sentiments
in the US after the first Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm? Lady and the Tramp (1955) was released
after US participation in 2 wars (WWII and Korea) in which Asians were our
enemies. Dumbo (1941) was released during an era of Jim Crow laws throughout
much of the US. Explore the stereotypes in your chosen film as part of the US’
historic/cultural backdrop.
Using
MLA documentation style, you must consult and CITE FROM a minimum of 2 outside
sources for your essay. You may choose
to use a professional (published) movie review or two, to see what professional
film critics have to say about stereotypes in the movie, or you may choose to
focus your research on historical or cultural sources.
It
is strongly recommended that you take notes as you view your chosen film from
the approved list. Make note of any
characters who are portrayed in a stereotypical manner, or any situations or
events that are depicted in a stereotypical way, noting specific
scenes/examples in which such stereotypes are revealed..
To
prepare you for this essay’s requirement, I encourage you to watch Disney’s The Lion King, then read a sample essay on
stereotypes in that movie. BECAUSE I AM
PROVIDING YOU WITH A SAMPLE ESSAY ABOUT THE
LION KING, YOU MAY NOT CHOOSE THAT MOVIE FOR YOUR OWN ESSAY.
Please
note: your focus MUST be on the
stereotypes of the movie; if you can’t identify any stereotypes in the movie
you’ve first selected, then choose another.
DO NOT WRITE A PLOT SUMMARY OF THE MOVIE! You may assume that your readers have seen 5h3
movie and are familiar with what happens, so no need to focus on what happens
first, then next, and so on. IF YOUR
ESSAY FOCUSES ON RETELLING WHAT HAPPENED IN THE MOVIE, RATHER THAN ON ANALYZING
STEREOTYPES, IT WILL RECEIVE A FAILING GRADE!!
List of
Approved Movies
Please Note:
1.
Since the sample essay analyzes it, you may NOT write about The Lion King
2.
This list is intentionally made up of old movies, released
between 20 and 80+ years ago, because they are more likely to contain the
stereotypes mentioned for this assignment.
3.
All are original version, no sequels, prequels, or
remakes. You must view the version of
the film that was released in the year included in parentheses after the title.
4.
No matter how many times you’ve watched your movie in the
past, you are asked to re-watch it, with different eyes, specifically looking
for stereotypes in the movie’s visuals, sounds, and themes
5.
Remember that your audience has already watched the movie,
so no need to retell the events of the movie.
Keep your focus on the stereotypes apparent in the movie.
6.
ONLY CHOOSE MOVIES FROM THE APPROVED LIST BELOW. NO EXCEPTIONS!
1. Mulan (1998)
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