ISU Book

The book I am reading is Sold by Patricia McCormick. The book connects to the Book of Negroes since both deal with slavery. Both characters live by the words of her mother to continue her journey through child prostitution that she was sold into. There is a common theme of influential views of parents affecting the main character. Both characters are also relatable since they have experienced being sold, and losing their sense of freedom. Both characters face major set backs but overcome them by the connections they make. They both face a form of slavery, Amanitas is the most commonly known form, and fortunately is mostly extinct are the world. But the main character of Sold is experiencing a more modern version of slavery. A common connection between the two characters, is they have friendships and relationships that are key to there survival. Both of the books have a strong female lead, which helps guide the story.

Media Assignment

Olivia Fraser

Mrs. Chaussé

ENG4U-02

6 February 2014

A Streetcar Named Desire Film Adaptation Personal Response

In order to portray what the screenplay had intended for the movie, Kazan used the elements of light and shot composition to improve the effectiveness of the adaptation to the movie. In Scene Three, commonly known as the poker scene, it is an example of the effectiveness of the elements. This scene is where we first see the true personalities of the characters we come to know. The screenplay had intended directions but in just like most adaptations from screenplay to movie, it is up for interpretation. With proper casting, selection and omission, they were able to effectively create the adapted film.

            First of all, the use of shot composition has many purposes and uses for symbolism.  Through the use of camera angles and costumes, they were able to symbolize the truth within the characters. In many cases, the shot composition uses different angles to show and emphasis the characters personalities. In Scene Three, the film crew used camera angles to demonstrate the contrast in Blanche and Stanley’s relationship. This is when Stanley storms into the room to turn off the radio; Blanche is kneeling on the floor with Stanley standing over her. The camera angle was equal with Blanche to show that Stanley and Blanches personalities clash, with Stanley being the dominant one. In addition, the costumes are purposed to symbolize the truth in the characters. Stanley is often seen in basic and normal clothes, but when he becomes outraged his clothes become ripped, this shows his animalistic personalities coming out. He is often referred to as having “animalistic” traits throughout the screenplay and movie. Contrasted with Blanche who’s costumes gives off the persona of her being a social elite, and a southern Belle, but this is far from reality when in fact she is in the midst of a mental breakdown. She is often seen in the colour white, which is commonly associated with innocence, and purity. Compared to Stanley is in the dark colours, which is usually associated with power. The adaptation of the film is effective through the use of shot composition.

Throughout the play, there are many circumstances where the play uses light to symbolize and hide the motives of the characters. The most obvious example of this shown through Blanche, she avoids the light throughout both the screenplay and movie.  The light symbolizes Blanches inability to face the present; she often lives in a fantasyland rather then facing reality. This is a common theme throughout the novel, Fantasy vs. Reality. In Scene Nine, Blanche tell us, “I misrepresent things to them. I don’t tell the truth, I tell what ought to be truth. And if that is sinful, then let me be damned for it! – Don’t turn the light on!” The light that she talks about will unveil the truth about Blanches past; she had been hiding in the shadows she is trying to dismiss the past that she had been running from. The example in Scene Three was the introduction of the use of lighting throughout the movie and screenplay. When Mitch and Blanche are having their first conversation, Blanche begins to hide appearance/secrets from Mitch. Blanche “can’t bare the idea of a naked light bulb.” This sentence represents that Blanche is unable to handle her past life; she cannot bare the light. The variety in lighting helps the viewers and readers to see the deeper meaning intended for the play.

In conclusion, with the elements of light and shot composition in Scene Three the adaptation was effective. The screenplay and movie do have differences, but overall the portrayal of the film is what Tennessee Williams intended, showing the truth is not always what you see. The shot composition was used to decipher the truth about the characters. The element of lighting was used to symbolize the truth about Blanches reality, versus her fantasy world. These production elements were used to effectively adapt Kazans vision for A Streetcar Named Desire in Scene Three.

Work Cited

A Streetcar Named Desire. Adapt. Elia Kazan. 1951. DVD.

Williams, Tennessee. A Streetcar Named Desire. New York: New Directions, 1980. Print.

Quote 4

"Bayo, I could live without. But for freedom, I would die." pg. 494

This is a self-relisation that Aminata comes to, she realizes that her goal to return to Bayo is not what she was really after. But to regain her freedom, with true equality is what she was really after. In Bayo all that she had left was memories, her village had been destroyed. She had no idea what she was returning to. When traveling with the slave captors she overhears them talking about capturing Aminata and returning her to slavery. She could of possibly returned to Bayo if she had continued traveling with them, but that would risk her freedom. Which is what she fought so hard to regain. 

Quote 3

"I had now written my name on a public document, and I was a person, with just as much right to life and liberty as the man who claimed to own me." pg. 274

This was the first instance were Aminata was urged to regain her freedom. At this time there was few memories that she remembers of her freedom. She is considered a person, a common theme in the novel is dehumanization. The slave captors would dehumanize the slaves to make them feel that they are not people, and that they had no similarities with them. The slave captors would then have no sympathy for them, and would continue to make them work in such hard conditions.

Choose five (5) significant quotes from the novel and discuss the significance of each quotation in relation to themes, characterization, plot development, symbols and literary devices. Feel free to add you personal opinions in your response.

Post #2:


So geographers, in Afric-maps,
With savage-pictures fill their gaps'
And o'er unhabitable downs
Place elephants for want of towns'
(Introduction)

This quote is significant since it emphasis' the little knowledge that people had of Africa during the time. It is referring to how Amanita throughout her journey was constantly wanting to know where she was from but no one could provide her with the correct answer. People knew of Africa but they did not know anything else. This relates to the theme of the book, since Amanita knows of her home but very little about it. 

Choose five (5) significant quotes from the novel and discuss the significance of each quotation in relation to themes, characterization, plot development, symbols and literary devices. Feel free to add you personal opinions in your response.

Quote #1:

"You must learn respect." Papa said.
"But I do not respect her," I said.
Papa paused for a moment, and patted my leg. "Then you must learn to hide your disrespect."

This quote is a key to Aminatas survival. Many times throughout the novel she is faced with people whom she does not respect, with out these wise words of her father who knows what the outcome Aminata would of been. This characterization shows that Aminata father was preparing her for the journey of slavery that became her whole life. A main theme throughout the novel is survival, in order to survive she had to make the slave traders feel that she respected them to gain the importance and respect from the slave traders. 

Obstacles

Aminata faced many challenges and obstacles during her fight for freedom. Describe a circumstance, obstacle or conflict in your life, and the skills and resources you used to resolve it. Did it change you? If so, how?

Not to long ago I was under going an obstacle. With the pressure of applying to university, I find my self discovering more and more things that interest me. I had always pictured myself creating a career for myself somewhere in the area of design. Sure it is something that interests me but so do many other things. Deciding your future is a big decision that can impact the rest of your life, what happens if you make the wrong decision? I decided to not worry about the future, what ever happens happens. Life will go on, but not only that there is always room for change. I have decided to apply to various programs that have to do with different interests in order to cover all the bases. This will give me more time to decide since the final decision is not until further months. Have I overcome this obstacle, not yet. But I have provided a temporary solution that allows me to look forward to my future!