Maturity and self-reliance
Websites
New Moon Magazine http://www.newmoon.com/ This is the website community of an amazing magazine edited (and mostly written) by girls aged 8-14. It very girl-power and includes places to complain about sexism or celebrate girls’ achievements as well as support diversity of all descriptions. The price for membership is because there is no advertising but you don’t have to be a member to enter the site. Have a look at the “future issues” section to see if you’ve written anything that suits their themes. Discuss the colours, fonts and layout in relation to the intended audience. Choose 5-6 important elements of content which relate closely to discovery, especially the users discovery of what it means to be a “girl”.
Speeches
Boushnak, Laura. (2015). "Reading is a Daring Act". Imagine dropping out of school at eight to get married or being unable to read your boyfriend's text messages. This Ted Talks speech by an Arab photographer highlights the power of reading as a subversive (=rebel) act. Look in particular at the structure and the way she uses anecdotes to make points about the use of power in society. Please be aware that these are not the experiences of all Arab or Muslim women; don't fall into the trap of racial stereotypes. Recommended for standard and ESL students.
Truth, Sojourner. (19). “Ain’t I a woman”. One of the first feminist speeches by a American Black woman to a mostly white audience. Many of her points would have been very shocking to a White middle class audience, enabling them to discover new perspectives on their society.
Songs
Pink “Stupid Girl”. [Watch it online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wSyhXCPh5M]This song critiques popular representations of the ‘stupid girl’ in the media and the video explicitly criticises the media’s role in sexualising young girls and creating body image problems such as bulimia. Discuss the juxtaposition of feminist ideas (eg “presendient”) with traditional ‘stupid girl’ roles (“dancing next to 50cent”), and the impact of casting Pink as both the ‘stupid’ girls with sexy moves and the intelligent feminist singing the song. Try to trace all the pop culture references in the video and discuss the way they are juxtaposed with the innocent girl in front of the television, which enables us to discover some important lessons about stereotyping and media representation of girls..
Coolio (). “Gangsta’s Paradise” [Watch it online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFK6H_CcuX8] This is a gangster’s “re-discovery” or “re-evaluation” of his life when he dies – he defends his life choices, looking back with regrets for what he didn’t achieve and pride for how he protects his “ homies.” Discuss the biblical allusion at the beginning, the expert use of rhythm in the lyrics, the use of slang as an indicator of belonging to a “gangsta” subculture and the way the tone alternates between regretful and threatening. Match this to the choice of musical style, especially the alternation between recitative (spoken melody) and melodic/harmionic sections. If you’re writing about the video clip, discuss the props, costumes and settings, and pay attention to the way the story is told through closeups, cuts and fades into black – it’s a different story to the lyrics so you have to explain how they link together.
Short Stories
Al-Shaykh, Hanan. (1994). “A girl called Apple” in I sweep the Sun off rooftops. Apple lies in a village where girls’ only option is to get married. Discuss the symbolism of apple’s name and of the flags and relate this to her attempts at self discovery as she negotiates a place in her family and community.
Hererra, Susana, (2000). “Jum Boo Nah” in A woman’s path: women’s best spiritual travel writing. (Belonging folder at 820.9) Describes the alienation of a Western woman on holiday in an African village, and the moment she discoversself- acceptance, a feeling of being “in her skin”. Analyse the things which lead her to feel “other” than the women she obviously finds fascinating, and the way the same image is presented differently after she discovers a connection. Focus on the sensory imagery common in all travel writing, the use of foreign words in italics and the internal monologue that lets you know what she’s thinking at a particular moment.
Poems
Dickinson, Emily "Much madness is divinist sense" online at Schmoop [http://www.shmoop.com/much-madness-is-divinest-sense/poem-text.html]
Bhatt, Sujati. "Search for a Tongue" describes the process of losing and gaining a language with which to express one's self. As an Indian poet who has lived and travelled all over the Western world, Bhatt understands the way that language both fragments and builds identity. Focus on the literal and symbolic use of the tongue and the effect of the two languages (Gujarati, if you're interested in translating it) in one poem. It could be used with Life of Pi or Go back to Where you came from or even as part of a postcolonial anaysis of the Prospero/Caliban/Ariel relationships in The Tempest. This poem is avaiiable online at Las Cumbres College [http://pchujman.cumbresblogs.com/2013/09/16/postcolonial-poetry/]. You can read more of her poems at the poetry archive [http://www.poetryarchive.org/explore/browse-poems?f%5B0%5D=field_poet:192406] or a review of her work at Mascara Review [http://mascarareview.com/the-memory-of-the-tongue-sujata-bhatts-diasporic-verse-by-paul-sharrad/]
Non-fiction
Cuxin, Li. (). Mao’s Last Dancer. []
“It happened to…” series. (AOS folder at 820.9, books at 362) All of these interviews with troubled teens discuss the impact of a particular trauma (- Arjun ran away from a forced marriage, Kylie got pregnant at 16) and the discoveries they have made a result of this experience. Ask yourself – who is the audience? How does the colloquial language and magazine-style layout attract this audience? What do the photographs say about belonging? How is the interview structured? How do the facts contribute to the message of the interview? Recommended for standard and ESL students.
Critical Essays
Bremer, Krista, (2011). “My daughter’s Choice” in Marie Claire, April 2011. (Belonging folder at 820.9) When Krista’s half-Lybian daughter, Aliya, chooses to wear hijab her mother does not “recognise” her. Look particularly at the constant contrast between the clothes Krista wore and the clothes her daughter has chosen and the metaphors which depict her alienation from her daughter. Why has aliya chosen to wear hijab? What do the different types of clothes symbolise to the mother? The daughter? What changes to make Krista discover that her daughter is expressing herself with the same freedom that she had at this age?
Novels
Abdel-Fattah. Randa. Does My Head Look Big in This? Traces the experiences of a year 12 Muslim student, Amal, after she decides to wear the hijab to her local (and very Anglo) high school. There’s lots to discuss here - Amal, Simone and Layla have very different experiences Islam. Focus on cultural symbols, the colloquial and very perceptive first person narration, the way the dialogue characterises different experiences of belonging, and the use of humour to include the reader. The review at http://www.theblurb.com.au/Issue57/DMHLBIT.htm shows and Anglo reader’s response. http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/ojs/index.php/TfC/article/view/598/559 has an interesting academic essay which analyses the novel from feminist and postcolonial perspectives. This could be useful for advanced students who want to develop a more complex argument about spiritual discovery. (see Ms Carmyn or your English teacher if you want to know more about these theories).
Andersen, Laurie. Impossible Knife of Memory. Like, Go back to where you came from, this is a case of a character choosing to find out about a particular issue, but actually finding out about herself. When Hayley returns to her hometown for her senior year after years of travelling with her father, an ex-solider suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, she discovers some disturbing memories of her own. As always in Andersen's books, pay close attention to the ways the author represents the characters' voices. Her writing is often deceptively simple. Treat it like poetry and look for all the usual literary techniques, as well as the way she uses simple and complex sentences to control pace and tension.
Ayoub, Sarah. (2013). Hate is such as strong word is a coming of age novel about a Lebanese girl living in Sydney aropund the time of the Cronulla riots. Sophie comes from a traditional Lebanese family and attends a Maronite school. When half-White-Australian Sherhadie enrolls at her school, the entire community to bound to discover their own stereeotypes and biases as racial conflict escalates. Read Sarah's comments here [http://www.theguardian.com/books/australia-books-blog/2014/nov/27/migrant-teens-deserve-their-own-young-adult-fiction?CMP=share_btn_tw]
Drinkwater, Carol. Twentieth Century Girl. This diary-style novel depicts English women’s fight to discover her political identity – by voting. Discuss the way the author uses sensory description, rhetorical questions and colloquial dialogue to create a personal and emotional connection to the historical facts, allowing an audience living over a century later to re-evaluate the contribution of these courageous women. Recommended for standard students only.
Blake, Bronwyn. Rock Dancer. Leah is an elite gymnast who failed to catch her friend Morgan in the training accident which put her in a coma. Her family has moved to a country high school where Leah is sent on a rock climbing camp. Discuss the way internal monologue allows the reader into Leah’s head and the way sensory imagery of the landscape (which is almost a character on it’s own!) shows her progress from isolation, through tentative connections with other students, to deal with her feelings of guilt and the discovery of her place in this new context. The author’s view can be found at http://www.bronwynblake.com.au/rockdancer.html.
Cronn-Mills, Kirstin. Beautiful Music for Ugly Children. Existing at school as her birth-self, Elizabeth, Gabe develops a expresses his a male persona when he hosts the community radio show Beautiful Music for Ugly Children. Pay close attention to the symbolism of songs and to the self-discovery process reflected in Gabe's opening speeches each show. You might also wish to comment about the use of first person and internal monologue which encourages the (presumably cis-gender) reader to discover a transgender identity.
Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Romance with a twist from a much-loved young adult writer. Caitlin’s dream boyfriend helps her escape from her family reality after her sister runs away, but what happens when the dream becomes a nightmare? Discuss the way the first person narrator takes you into her mind through description (esp. metaphor and symbolism eg: I kept collecting [photos of ]faces, as if by holding all these people in my hands I could convince myself that everything was okay.” (p.184)) , the realism of the dialogue and the way Caitlin’s growth is represented in small details of her life.
Moriarty, Jaclyn. Feeling Sorry for Celia. This novel is a humorous collection of (letters, notes and other ‘scraps’ of Celia’s life which illustrate the connections between Cellia and her divorced parents, best friend and pen pal at a local school. Analyse the way the reader interacts with the unusual (postmodern) structure, and the language features of the difference character’s ‘voices’. Pay special attention to the way satirical letters from organisations such as The Cold Hard Truth Society and The Association of Teenagers which exist only within Celia’s mind represent her “discoveries” of he unwritten codes of adolescent behaviour. A deceptively simple book which could be used by standard or advanced students.
Mac, Carrie The Beckoners. A gripping tale of a girl’s desire to belong and what happens when classroom bullying goes too far. Focus on the characterisation through internal monologue and metaphor. Look at the way April and Zoe relate to each other and their motivation for their different reactions to the beckoners. Pay special attention to the way April’s perspective frames Zoe’s story.
Marsden, John Tomorrow when the War Began. A group of teens return from the Easter camping trip in a hidden valley to discover their town (and all of Australia) has been invaded by a military force. Analyse the way this crisis creates tensions and connections between different members of the group, and pay particular attention to Ellie’s first person narrative voice and the way the landscape defines them when they discover unexpected courage and tenacity as they develop into a group of skilled guerrilla warriors. Pay special attention to tropes and metaphors such as the ironic use of “Hell” as a place of safety.
McCarthy, Maureen. Ganglands. Kelly is a scholarship girl from a poor family in a small country town. When she meets Con her life changes forever. Pay attention to the metaphors used to describe Kelly’s discovery of life outside her small town, and the way the landscape echoes her feelings. Recommended for standard students.
McCaffrey, Kate. In Ecstasy. In an effort to match up to her popular friend, Sophie, Mia begins taking drugs. Her new outgoing self attracts friends and a boyfriend, creating dependence she finds almost impossible to shake. Discuss the way the changing narrators affect the reader’s view of the situation as well as the metaphors used to depict particular states of mind. For a quick overview, read he review at http://katemccaffrey.wordpress.com/ . Recommended for standard students.
Pierce, Tamora. Trickster’s Choice. Aly is taken by pirates and sold as a slave where she makes a bet with the god Kyprioth, to protect the children of the Balitang family from unknown dangers. Her adventures teach Aly enable aly to discover a whole new way of life in a country far from her family. Focus on the way the weather and settings represent Aly’s emotions and on the symbolic way her relationship with Nawat develops. Recommended for standard students (but don’t get sidetracked into telling the plot – focus on two-three important scenes).
Pierce, Tamora. Terrier. This detective story is set in a medieval fantasy world of Tortall. Although Beka was raised to be a “lady” by the Lord Provost, she decides to become a “dog” (police officer) and investigate the murders of missing children. Focus on the increasingly formal and clichéd dialogue and sensory descriptions which reveal Beka’s separation from her biological family and the jargon and colloquial language which show her gradual discovery of how to fit into the “kennel. Recommended for standard and advanced students who want to focus on characterisation (don’t get sidetracked into telling the plot – focus on two-three important scenes).
Savides, Irene. Sky Legs. This novel explores the dilemmas Eleni and Pete face as they try to maintain their individuality and still find their place among their peers. Discuss the way internal and external dialogue allows access to the character’s thoughts and motivations and analyse the way their narrative parallels the narrative of Eleni’s parents in the letter which are interwoven throughout the story.
Savides, Irene. Willow Tree and Olive. Memories of abuse are triggered by a guest speaker school PDHPE programme, causing Olive to run away from school and eventually re-evaluate her experiences while on holiday with distant family in Greece. Discuss the way the protagonist and her family deal with her slowly unfolding memories, paying particular attention to metaphor and the healing effects of the landscape.
Voigt, Cynthia. Homecoming. When her mentally unstable mother abandons Dicey Tillerman and her three younger siblings in a car park, Dicey decides to take her family to their aunt’s house hundreds of miles away. The rich characterisation is used to depict Dicey’s gradual discovery of what it is that makes a family. Comment on the role of music in creating a narrative of discovery for the Tillermans and the people they meet, and the use of water as a symbol of both separation and safety.
Big Fat Manifesto by Susan Vaught. Random House Australia, 2008. ISBN-13 9781741663037. 308 pp. This American young adult novel is a warm and ultimately positive story about body image. Jamie, in her final year at high school, writes a column in the student paper – her ‘big fat manifesto’, complaining about the poor press given to fat people and arguing, in effect, that fat is beautiful. This would be a good text for Standard girls.
Spud by John van de ruit. Penguin Books, 2008 (2005). ISBN-13: 9780141323565. 389 pp. Young adult novel. This is a novel about boys behaving badly in a posh private boarding school – set in South Africa at the time Mandela was released from gaol. This is a coming of age novel in which the main character finds himself, for the first time in his life, treating a black person with respect. This is at times very funny. This will appeal mainly to boys.
Salinger, J D. The Catcher in the Rye.The ultimate classic young adult novel about a teenage boy who is trying to disxcover a way to escape all the “phonies” he sees around him. Discuss the first person narrator’s use internal monologue, colloquial voice and carefully controlled tone t5o directly address the reader (second person).. Look for motifs such as graffiti, ducks and the red hat, metaphors such as the carousel and literary allusions. An excellent study guide can be found at http://www.shmoop.com/catcher-in-the-rye/.
King Dork by Frank Portman. Penguin Books, 2007 (2006). ISBN-13: 9780141322803. 344 pp. The disaffected youth of the twenty-first century make Holden Caulfield of The Catcher in a Rye look like a wimp. This very funny and clever novel is partly about The Catcher in the Rye, which the narrator despises. Make sure you can discuss the intertextuality as well as the ways the author has created an “authentic voice” for the protagonist. This will appeal particularly to boys – especially if they are interested in popular music.
Franklin, Miles. My Brilliant Career. This Australian classic tells the story of Sybella, an intelligent and viviacious 16 year old who lives in rural Australia at the end of the C19th, from her discovery of the constraintys of ‘normal’ female roles to her romance with Harry Beecham from the nearby farm to her acceptance and fame as an author. Discuss the impact of first person and stream of consciousness on the reader, and investigate the role of the Australian landscape in defining Sybylla’s psyche. Recommended for advanced students.
Dickins, Charles. Oliver Twist. Orphaned early in life, Oliver discovers a new life with Fagin’s band of pickpockets. Focus on the imagery used to create an atmospheric setting and the emotive language used to make you empathise with particular characters. Pay attention to Fagin’s need to belong as well as the boys. You could also use the film to assist your understanding of the novel (see above), but don’t fix them up!.
• Tan, Amy. The Bonesetter’s Daughter This novel depicts the intense relationship between LuLing Young and her daughter Ruth, re-examining her mother’s past in superstition-ridden rural China and the tensions of Chinese immigrant life in America.. Focus on the way layers of secrets and ambiguity create different sorts of discoveries through the juxtaposition of rural Chinese and contemporary American life, and look for repeated symbols and metaphors. Recommended for advanced students (only because it’s long and you don’t want to get sidetracked telling the plot!)
Coelho, Paulo, Aleph
Plays
Cornelius, Patricia. Boy Overboard (A822 COR) This children’s play tells the story of a refugee boy whose ambition is to play soccer in a peaceful country. Pay special attention to the way the language and characterisation make a complex topic simple enough for a young audience. Recommended for New ESL students only.
Enright, Nick. Black Rock (A822 ENR) A chilling play which explores the reactions of a community when a teenager is raped at a local party. Focus on the way the community fragments under pressure and how this is revealed through the dialogue.
Gibbs, Paige. Lockie Leonard: Human Torpedo (A822 GIB). Surfer-boy, Lockie, is the alienated new boy in town – until he meets Vicki. The exaggerated characterisation and dialogue are an excellent way to present ideas about belonging to a young audience. Recommended for standard students.
Ireland, Vicky. Secrets (822 WIL) Based on Jaqueline Wilson’s best selling novel, this play explores the role of secrets and diaries in the world of early teen girls’ friendships. Discuss the way the dialogue and staging make this play appropriate for a primary school and early-high school audience. Recommended for ESL and standard students only.
Ireland, Vicky. The Suitcase Kid (822 WIL) Based on Jaqueline Wilson’s best selling novel, this play explores the effect of divorce on a young girl who travels back and forth between her parents houses. Discuss the way the dialogue and staging make this play appropriate for a primary school and early-high school audience. Recommended for ESL and standard students only.
Lawler, Ray Summer of the Seventeeth Doll (A822.3 LAW) This Australian classic explores the tenuous relationships between seasonal workers (sugar cane cutters) and their partners in the seventeenth year of their relationship. Examine what characters discover about each other through the colloquial Australian dialogue and the role of symbols. If you’re focusing on growing maturity, focus on the character of Bubba asnd the things that stop her discovering her adult self. This is an ex-HSC text, which is useful for advanced students, but be aware that your markers are likely to know the play well.
Marsden, John. So much to tell you. In this play a young girl who chooses not to speak after a traumatic experience (revealed later in the play). Focus on the way stage directions and dialogue (esp. by other characters) reveals her rediscovery of her indentity and her relationship with her family and peers. Recommended for ESL and standard students only.
Oswald, Debra. Dags (A822 OSW) Sixteen year old Gillian arrives on stage with her head in a paper bag – not an auspicious beginning for a girl in search of ‘Lurve’. The play depicts discovery and acceptance of herself as an individual. Lots of techniques to discuss here, including the role of puppets on stage, the language changes between Gillian’s monologues to the audience and her dialogue with other characters, the use of gender and social stereotypes and the role of stage directions (esp tone of voice) in creating relationships between the characters. Recommended to standard students who can analyse the postmodern aspects of the staging.
Shaw, Bernard. Pygmalion (822.9 SHA or online at http://www.enotes.com/pygmalion-text ). The story of a lowly flower girl who ‘becomes’ an aristocrat after learning to speak “high class” English. This play is full of witty comments about the artificiality of a society that uses language to discover social identity. Look in particular at the symbolism of the title, the use of cockney dialect and the way stage directions bring characters together. There are several film versions of this play and it was made into the musical My Fair Lady (F MYF)
Shaw, Bernard. Saint Joan (822.9 SHA) This play rediscovers the life of famous military leader Joan of Arc from the first moment she reveals that God sent her to save France from the evil English through military victories to her trial before the English inquisition and eventual canonisation by the Catholic church. Focus on the alternation of Joan’s acceptance and rejection by other characters and the way the author satirises the fact that she was made into a saint. Look for irony in the plot and the dialogue. Ms Carmyn has an (old) film version.
Wilde, Oscar. The Importance of Being Earnest (822 WIL) This late Victorian play is a social satire of the English Upper classes. Filled with exaggerated characters, mistaken identity and witty word play, it follows the fortunes of Jack/Ernest, an orphan found in a hand bag in a London railway station. An ex-HSC text, there are lots of study guides (including http://www.shmoop.com/importance-of-being-earnest/ ) on this play as well as a couple of films (don’t forget your text is the actual play). Your markers are likely to know it very well. Recommended for advanced students.
Films
Bhansali, Sanjay Leela. (2005) Black (Hindi film) Tells the story of deaf/blind girl, Michelle and her teacher, Mr Sahai. As she develops into a well-educated university student, her elderly teacher begins suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, resulting in a touching role reversal. Based on the real-life story of Helen Keller, this film has scoop3d up just about every Indianm film award. Look at the backstory of Michelle's relationship with her family and their power struggles with Mr Sahai as well as Michelle's coming of age. Pay special attention to the use of light and darkness as a symbol of both character's development. There is an excellent study guide to this film in Screen Education 70 (Winter 2013).
Chadha, Gurinder. Bend It Like Beckham. [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. Jess belongs to an Indian family and Anglo soccer team and the clash between these groups is a catalyst for many discoveries including her true feelings for her coach (Joe), her friendship with Jules and the outing of her gay friend Tony. Everything about this film contributes to these discoveries, the costumes, settings, cinematography, dialogue and sound track. See Ms Carmyn for a study guide if you didn’t study it in class.
Cuaron, Alfonso (2013) Gravity is a thriller where the villain is space itself. When disaster strikes their space station, two astronauts are flung into space. This film lends itself particularly well to a feminist analysis as it examines the roles of a woman in the male-dominated world of astrophysics, as well as woman as mother and woman as hero. Pay special attention to the cinematography, especially the long shots and unusual lighting, and unusual soundtrack which create a sense of weightlessness and disorientation for the viewer. There is an excellent study guide to this film in Screen Education 73 (Autumn 2014) and some useful reviews at David Bordwell's Website on Cinema [http://www.davidbordwell.net/blog/2013/11/07/gravity-part-1-two-characters-adrift-in-an-experimental-film/]
Hogan, P.J. Muriel’s Wedding. This Australian film is a (sometimes quite black) comedy about Muriel’s attempt to live her dream of the perfect wedding. Along the way she is confronted with cancer, suicide and discovery of where she really belongs. Focus on the ways lighting, music and costumes both reflect her dream world and anchor her in reality. An unusual interpretation can be found at http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/feature/13
Hughs, John. The Breakfast Club. Five students, the princess, the jock, the nerd, the rebel and the dag, are trapped together on a Saturday detention. Analyse the way the students turn on each other then eventually discover through their shared experiences that they are not much different from each other after all. Camera angles (esp. point of view shots) and the sound track are as important as the dialogue in establishing the changing relationships. The script can be found as http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/breakfast_club.html
Nair, Mira. Vanity Fair. In this elegant satire of C19th society, Becky Sharp claws her way up the social ladder among lavish sets and costumes, but don’t let this distract you from some very important comments about the nature of female society. The extras will give you a good understanding of the historical context and the director’s intentions. Focus on the way the camera and dialogue compel you to empathise with Becky even when she’s being less than endearing. A good review can be found at http://www.aboutfilm.com/movies/v/vanityfair.htm.
Polanski, Roman. Oliver Twist. Orphaned early in life, Oliver Twist discovers his place Fagin’s band of pickpockets migth gibve way to higher aspirations. This film adaptation uses harsh angles and monotonous textures in the setting and low-key lighting to convey the dark themes of Charles Dickens’ famous novelRietman, Jason. Juno. When she discovers she is pregnant, Juno has to deal with issues “way beyond my maturity level” – including her changing physical shape, the attitudes of her peers and what it means to “flirt with” the concept of adulthood. Listen to the commentaries to find out how the composers intended you to respond to camera angles, soundtrack, settings/costumes and particular moments in the dialogue. A viewing guide can be found at http://alinihatekenblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/study-questions-for-juno-jason-reitman-2007/. Recommended for standard students only.
Wheedon, Joss. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: “Tabula Rasa”. [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. Almost any episode could be used to discuss discovery – there’s an essay on “Normal Again” in the O-drive. In this episode, willow casts a spell and all they key characters have their entire memories erased. They wake up and try to discover their relationships to each other – some of them very obscure (like the vampire Spike who thinks he’s a superhero). Pay particular attention to the way the camera angles and lighting are used to direct the readers viewpoints as well as the props the characters use to “discover” their identities. Listen to the excellent director’s commentary for techniques to discuss in your essay. Interesting essays from a film studies perspective can be found at http://slayageonline.com/essays/slayage17/Albright.htm and http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~felluga/sf/sampleAPaperMrO3d.html. If you’ve never watched Buffy before, have a look at wikipaedia or a similar site first otherwise you will miss the comedy by not knowing how the characters are supposed to fit together.
Wier, Peter. Picnic at Hanging Rock. This Australian classic is a mystery film raising questions about the disappearance of a group of Edwardian school girls on an excursion at Hanging Rock. Focus on the conflict between the prim and proper European school life (esp costumes, props and interior settings) and the haunting, mysterious quality of the Australian landscape (esp. in cinematography and soundtrack).
Bridges, Jeff. Stick It. Once an Olympic gymnast, ??? is taken to court for delinquent behaviour and forced by a judge to return to elite gymnastics training. After refusing to join the squad she discovers she has alot of real-world experience to offer. Focus on her changing attitude to the other team members and the way this is demonstrated through the camera angles, soundtrack and choreographed gymnastic performances. It would suit a sporty student who is looking at teens who discover ways to resist social norms.Rites of Passage
Great Expectations
The Spectacular Now
Secret Life of Bees
New Moon Magazine http://www.newmoon.com/ This is the website community of an amazing magazine edited (and mostly written) by girls aged 8-14. It very girl-power and includes places to complain about sexism or celebrate girls’ achievements as well as support diversity of all descriptions. The price for membership is because there is no advertising but you don’t have to be a member to enter the site. Have a look at the “future issues” section to see if you’ve written anything that suits their themes. Discuss the colours, fonts and layout in relation to the intended audience. Choose 5-6 important elements of content which relate closely to discovery, especially the users discovery of what it means to be a “girl”.
Speeches
Boushnak, Laura. (2015). "Reading is a Daring Act". Imagine dropping out of school at eight to get married or being unable to read your boyfriend's text messages. This Ted Talks speech by an Arab photographer highlights the power of reading as a subversive (=rebel) act. Look in particular at the structure and the way she uses anecdotes to make points about the use of power in society. Please be aware that these are not the experiences of all Arab or Muslim women; don't fall into the trap of racial stereotypes. Recommended for standard and ESL students.
Truth, Sojourner. (19). “Ain’t I a woman”. One of the first feminist speeches by a American Black woman to a mostly white audience. Many of her points would have been very shocking to a White middle class audience, enabling them to discover new perspectives on their society.
Songs
Pink “Stupid Girl”. [Watch it online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wSyhXCPh5M]This song critiques popular representations of the ‘stupid girl’ in the media and the video explicitly criticises the media’s role in sexualising young girls and creating body image problems such as bulimia. Discuss the juxtaposition of feminist ideas (eg “presendient”) with traditional ‘stupid girl’ roles (“dancing next to 50cent”), and the impact of casting Pink as both the ‘stupid’ girls with sexy moves and the intelligent feminist singing the song. Try to trace all the pop culture references in the video and discuss the way they are juxtaposed with the innocent girl in front of the television, which enables us to discover some important lessons about stereotyping and media representation of girls..
Coolio (). “Gangsta’s Paradise” [Watch it online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFK6H_CcuX8] This is a gangster’s “re-discovery” or “re-evaluation” of his life when he dies – he defends his life choices, looking back with regrets for what he didn’t achieve and pride for how he protects his “ homies.” Discuss the biblical allusion at the beginning, the expert use of rhythm in the lyrics, the use of slang as an indicator of belonging to a “gangsta” subculture and the way the tone alternates between regretful and threatening. Match this to the choice of musical style, especially the alternation between recitative (spoken melody) and melodic/harmionic sections. If you’re writing about the video clip, discuss the props, costumes and settings, and pay attention to the way the story is told through closeups, cuts and fades into black – it’s a different story to the lyrics so you have to explain how they link together.
Short Stories
Al-Shaykh, Hanan. (1994). “A girl called Apple” in I sweep the Sun off rooftops. Apple lies in a village where girls’ only option is to get married. Discuss the symbolism of apple’s name and of the flags and relate this to her attempts at self discovery as she negotiates a place in her family and community.
Hererra, Susana, (2000). “Jum Boo Nah” in A woman’s path: women’s best spiritual travel writing. (Belonging folder at 820.9) Describes the alienation of a Western woman on holiday in an African village, and the moment she discoversself- acceptance, a feeling of being “in her skin”. Analyse the things which lead her to feel “other” than the women she obviously finds fascinating, and the way the same image is presented differently after she discovers a connection. Focus on the sensory imagery common in all travel writing, the use of foreign words in italics and the internal monologue that lets you know what she’s thinking at a particular moment.
Poems
Dickinson, Emily "Much madness is divinist sense" online at Schmoop [http://www.shmoop.com/much-madness-is-divinest-sense/poem-text.html]
Bhatt, Sujati. "Search for a Tongue" describes the process of losing and gaining a language with which to express one's self. As an Indian poet who has lived and travelled all over the Western world, Bhatt understands the way that language both fragments and builds identity. Focus on the literal and symbolic use of the tongue and the effect of the two languages (Gujarati, if you're interested in translating it) in one poem. It could be used with Life of Pi or Go back to Where you came from or even as part of a postcolonial anaysis of the Prospero/Caliban/Ariel relationships in The Tempest. This poem is avaiiable online at Las Cumbres College [http://pchujman.cumbresblogs.com/2013/09/16/postcolonial-poetry/]. You can read more of her poems at the poetry archive [http://www.poetryarchive.org/explore/browse-poems?f%5B0%5D=field_poet:192406] or a review of her work at Mascara Review [http://mascarareview.com/the-memory-of-the-tongue-sujata-bhatts-diasporic-verse-by-paul-sharrad/]
Non-fiction
Cuxin, Li. (). Mao’s Last Dancer. []
“It happened to…” series. (AOS folder at 820.9, books at 362) All of these interviews with troubled teens discuss the impact of a particular trauma (- Arjun ran away from a forced marriage, Kylie got pregnant at 16) and the discoveries they have made a result of this experience. Ask yourself – who is the audience? How does the colloquial language and magazine-style layout attract this audience? What do the photographs say about belonging? How is the interview structured? How do the facts contribute to the message of the interview? Recommended for standard and ESL students.
Critical Essays
Bremer, Krista, (2011). “My daughter’s Choice” in Marie Claire, April 2011. (Belonging folder at 820.9) When Krista’s half-Lybian daughter, Aliya, chooses to wear hijab her mother does not “recognise” her. Look particularly at the constant contrast between the clothes Krista wore and the clothes her daughter has chosen and the metaphors which depict her alienation from her daughter. Why has aliya chosen to wear hijab? What do the different types of clothes symbolise to the mother? The daughter? What changes to make Krista discover that her daughter is expressing herself with the same freedom that she had at this age?
Novels
Abdel-Fattah. Randa. Does My Head Look Big in This? Traces the experiences of a year 12 Muslim student, Amal, after she decides to wear the hijab to her local (and very Anglo) high school. There’s lots to discuss here - Amal, Simone and Layla have very different experiences Islam. Focus on cultural symbols, the colloquial and very perceptive first person narration, the way the dialogue characterises different experiences of belonging, and the use of humour to include the reader. The review at http://www.theblurb.com.au/Issue57/DMHLBIT.htm shows and Anglo reader’s response. http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/ojs/index.php/TfC/article/view/598/559 has an interesting academic essay which analyses the novel from feminist and postcolonial perspectives. This could be useful for advanced students who want to develop a more complex argument about spiritual discovery. (see Ms Carmyn or your English teacher if you want to know more about these theories).
Andersen, Laurie. Impossible Knife of Memory. Like, Go back to where you came from, this is a case of a character choosing to find out about a particular issue, but actually finding out about herself. When Hayley returns to her hometown for her senior year after years of travelling with her father, an ex-solider suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, she discovers some disturbing memories of her own. As always in Andersen's books, pay close attention to the ways the author represents the characters' voices. Her writing is often deceptively simple. Treat it like poetry and look for all the usual literary techniques, as well as the way she uses simple and complex sentences to control pace and tension.
Ayoub, Sarah. (2013). Hate is such as strong word is a coming of age novel about a Lebanese girl living in Sydney aropund the time of the Cronulla riots. Sophie comes from a traditional Lebanese family and attends a Maronite school. When half-White-Australian Sherhadie enrolls at her school, the entire community to bound to discover their own stereeotypes and biases as racial conflict escalates. Read Sarah's comments here [http://www.theguardian.com/books/australia-books-blog/2014/nov/27/migrant-teens-deserve-their-own-young-adult-fiction?CMP=share_btn_tw]
Drinkwater, Carol. Twentieth Century Girl. This diary-style novel depicts English women’s fight to discover her political identity – by voting. Discuss the way the author uses sensory description, rhetorical questions and colloquial dialogue to create a personal and emotional connection to the historical facts, allowing an audience living over a century later to re-evaluate the contribution of these courageous women. Recommended for standard students only.
Blake, Bronwyn. Rock Dancer. Leah is an elite gymnast who failed to catch her friend Morgan in the training accident which put her in a coma. Her family has moved to a country high school where Leah is sent on a rock climbing camp. Discuss the way internal monologue allows the reader into Leah’s head and the way sensory imagery of the landscape (which is almost a character on it’s own!) shows her progress from isolation, through tentative connections with other students, to deal with her feelings of guilt and the discovery of her place in this new context. The author’s view can be found at http://www.bronwynblake.com.au/rockdancer.html.
Cronn-Mills, Kirstin. Beautiful Music for Ugly Children. Existing at school as her birth-self, Elizabeth, Gabe develops a expresses his a male persona when he hosts the community radio show Beautiful Music for Ugly Children. Pay close attention to the symbolism of songs and to the self-discovery process reflected in Gabe's opening speeches each show. You might also wish to comment about the use of first person and internal monologue which encourages the (presumably cis-gender) reader to discover a transgender identity.
Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Romance with a twist from a much-loved young adult writer. Caitlin’s dream boyfriend helps her escape from her family reality after her sister runs away, but what happens when the dream becomes a nightmare? Discuss the way the first person narrator takes you into her mind through description (esp. metaphor and symbolism eg: I kept collecting [photos of ]faces, as if by holding all these people in my hands I could convince myself that everything was okay.” (p.184)) , the realism of the dialogue and the way Caitlin’s growth is represented in small details of her life.
Moriarty, Jaclyn. Feeling Sorry for Celia. This novel is a humorous collection of (letters, notes and other ‘scraps’ of Celia’s life which illustrate the connections between Cellia and her divorced parents, best friend and pen pal at a local school. Analyse the way the reader interacts with the unusual (postmodern) structure, and the language features of the difference character’s ‘voices’. Pay special attention to the way satirical letters from organisations such as The Cold Hard Truth Society and The Association of Teenagers which exist only within Celia’s mind represent her “discoveries” of he unwritten codes of adolescent behaviour. A deceptively simple book which could be used by standard or advanced students.
Mac, Carrie The Beckoners. A gripping tale of a girl’s desire to belong and what happens when classroom bullying goes too far. Focus on the characterisation through internal monologue and metaphor. Look at the way April and Zoe relate to each other and their motivation for their different reactions to the beckoners. Pay special attention to the way April’s perspective frames Zoe’s story.
Marsden, John Tomorrow when the War Began. A group of teens return from the Easter camping trip in a hidden valley to discover their town (and all of Australia) has been invaded by a military force. Analyse the way this crisis creates tensions and connections between different members of the group, and pay particular attention to Ellie’s first person narrative voice and the way the landscape defines them when they discover unexpected courage and tenacity as they develop into a group of skilled guerrilla warriors. Pay special attention to tropes and metaphors such as the ironic use of “Hell” as a place of safety.
McCarthy, Maureen. Ganglands. Kelly is a scholarship girl from a poor family in a small country town. When she meets Con her life changes forever. Pay attention to the metaphors used to describe Kelly’s discovery of life outside her small town, and the way the landscape echoes her feelings. Recommended for standard students.
McCaffrey, Kate. In Ecstasy. In an effort to match up to her popular friend, Sophie, Mia begins taking drugs. Her new outgoing self attracts friends and a boyfriend, creating dependence she finds almost impossible to shake. Discuss the way the changing narrators affect the reader’s view of the situation as well as the metaphors used to depict particular states of mind. For a quick overview, read he review at http://katemccaffrey.wordpress.com/ . Recommended for standard students.
Pierce, Tamora. Trickster’s Choice. Aly is taken by pirates and sold as a slave where she makes a bet with the god Kyprioth, to protect the children of the Balitang family from unknown dangers. Her adventures teach Aly enable aly to discover a whole new way of life in a country far from her family. Focus on the way the weather and settings represent Aly’s emotions and on the symbolic way her relationship with Nawat develops. Recommended for standard students (but don’t get sidetracked into telling the plot – focus on two-three important scenes).
Pierce, Tamora. Terrier. This detective story is set in a medieval fantasy world of Tortall. Although Beka was raised to be a “lady” by the Lord Provost, she decides to become a “dog” (police officer) and investigate the murders of missing children. Focus on the increasingly formal and clichéd dialogue and sensory descriptions which reveal Beka’s separation from her biological family and the jargon and colloquial language which show her gradual discovery of how to fit into the “kennel. Recommended for standard and advanced students who want to focus on characterisation (don’t get sidetracked into telling the plot – focus on two-three important scenes).
Savides, Irene. Sky Legs. This novel explores the dilemmas Eleni and Pete face as they try to maintain their individuality and still find their place among their peers. Discuss the way internal and external dialogue allows access to the character’s thoughts and motivations and analyse the way their narrative parallels the narrative of Eleni’s parents in the letter which are interwoven throughout the story.
Savides, Irene. Willow Tree and Olive. Memories of abuse are triggered by a guest speaker school PDHPE programme, causing Olive to run away from school and eventually re-evaluate her experiences while on holiday with distant family in Greece. Discuss the way the protagonist and her family deal with her slowly unfolding memories, paying particular attention to metaphor and the healing effects of the landscape.
Voigt, Cynthia. Homecoming. When her mentally unstable mother abandons Dicey Tillerman and her three younger siblings in a car park, Dicey decides to take her family to their aunt’s house hundreds of miles away. The rich characterisation is used to depict Dicey’s gradual discovery of what it is that makes a family. Comment on the role of music in creating a narrative of discovery for the Tillermans and the people they meet, and the use of water as a symbol of both separation and safety.
Big Fat Manifesto by Susan Vaught. Random House Australia, 2008. ISBN-13 9781741663037. 308 pp. This American young adult novel is a warm and ultimately positive story about body image. Jamie, in her final year at high school, writes a column in the student paper – her ‘big fat manifesto’, complaining about the poor press given to fat people and arguing, in effect, that fat is beautiful. This would be a good text for Standard girls.
Spud by John van de ruit. Penguin Books, 2008 (2005). ISBN-13: 9780141323565. 389 pp. Young adult novel. This is a novel about boys behaving badly in a posh private boarding school – set in South Africa at the time Mandela was released from gaol. This is a coming of age novel in which the main character finds himself, for the first time in his life, treating a black person with respect. This is at times very funny. This will appeal mainly to boys.
Salinger, J D. The Catcher in the Rye.The ultimate classic young adult novel about a teenage boy who is trying to disxcover a way to escape all the “phonies” he sees around him. Discuss the first person narrator’s use internal monologue, colloquial voice and carefully controlled tone t5o directly address the reader (second person).. Look for motifs such as graffiti, ducks and the red hat, metaphors such as the carousel and literary allusions. An excellent study guide can be found at http://www.shmoop.com/catcher-in-the-rye/.
King Dork by Frank Portman. Penguin Books, 2007 (2006). ISBN-13: 9780141322803. 344 pp. The disaffected youth of the twenty-first century make Holden Caulfield of The Catcher in a Rye look like a wimp. This very funny and clever novel is partly about The Catcher in the Rye, which the narrator despises. Make sure you can discuss the intertextuality as well as the ways the author has created an “authentic voice” for the protagonist. This will appeal particularly to boys – especially if they are interested in popular music.
Franklin, Miles. My Brilliant Career. This Australian classic tells the story of Sybella, an intelligent and viviacious 16 year old who lives in rural Australia at the end of the C19th, from her discovery of the constraintys of ‘normal’ female roles to her romance with Harry Beecham from the nearby farm to her acceptance and fame as an author. Discuss the impact of first person and stream of consciousness on the reader, and investigate the role of the Australian landscape in defining Sybylla’s psyche. Recommended for advanced students.
Dickins, Charles. Oliver Twist. Orphaned early in life, Oliver discovers a new life with Fagin’s band of pickpockets. Focus on the imagery used to create an atmospheric setting and the emotive language used to make you empathise with particular characters. Pay attention to Fagin’s need to belong as well as the boys. You could also use the film to assist your understanding of the novel (see above), but don’t fix them up!.
• Tan, Amy. The Bonesetter’s Daughter This novel depicts the intense relationship between LuLing Young and her daughter Ruth, re-examining her mother’s past in superstition-ridden rural China and the tensions of Chinese immigrant life in America.. Focus on the way layers of secrets and ambiguity create different sorts of discoveries through the juxtaposition of rural Chinese and contemporary American life, and look for repeated symbols and metaphors. Recommended for advanced students (only because it’s long and you don’t want to get sidetracked telling the plot!)
Coelho, Paulo, Aleph
Plays
Cornelius, Patricia. Boy Overboard (A822 COR) This children’s play tells the story of a refugee boy whose ambition is to play soccer in a peaceful country. Pay special attention to the way the language and characterisation make a complex topic simple enough for a young audience. Recommended for New ESL students only.
Enright, Nick. Black Rock (A822 ENR) A chilling play which explores the reactions of a community when a teenager is raped at a local party. Focus on the way the community fragments under pressure and how this is revealed through the dialogue.
Gibbs, Paige. Lockie Leonard: Human Torpedo (A822 GIB). Surfer-boy, Lockie, is the alienated new boy in town – until he meets Vicki. The exaggerated characterisation and dialogue are an excellent way to present ideas about belonging to a young audience. Recommended for standard students.
Ireland, Vicky. Secrets (822 WIL) Based on Jaqueline Wilson’s best selling novel, this play explores the role of secrets and diaries in the world of early teen girls’ friendships. Discuss the way the dialogue and staging make this play appropriate for a primary school and early-high school audience. Recommended for ESL and standard students only.
Ireland, Vicky. The Suitcase Kid (822 WIL) Based on Jaqueline Wilson’s best selling novel, this play explores the effect of divorce on a young girl who travels back and forth between her parents houses. Discuss the way the dialogue and staging make this play appropriate for a primary school and early-high school audience. Recommended for ESL and standard students only.
Lawler, Ray Summer of the Seventeeth Doll (A822.3 LAW) This Australian classic explores the tenuous relationships between seasonal workers (sugar cane cutters) and their partners in the seventeenth year of their relationship. Examine what characters discover about each other through the colloquial Australian dialogue and the role of symbols. If you’re focusing on growing maturity, focus on the character of Bubba asnd the things that stop her discovering her adult self. This is an ex-HSC text, which is useful for advanced students, but be aware that your markers are likely to know the play well.
Marsden, John. So much to tell you. In this play a young girl who chooses not to speak after a traumatic experience (revealed later in the play). Focus on the way stage directions and dialogue (esp. by other characters) reveals her rediscovery of her indentity and her relationship with her family and peers. Recommended for ESL and standard students only.
Oswald, Debra. Dags (A822 OSW) Sixteen year old Gillian arrives on stage with her head in a paper bag – not an auspicious beginning for a girl in search of ‘Lurve’. The play depicts discovery and acceptance of herself as an individual. Lots of techniques to discuss here, including the role of puppets on stage, the language changes between Gillian’s monologues to the audience and her dialogue with other characters, the use of gender and social stereotypes and the role of stage directions (esp tone of voice) in creating relationships between the characters. Recommended to standard students who can analyse the postmodern aspects of the staging.
Shaw, Bernard. Pygmalion (822.9 SHA or online at http://www.enotes.com/pygmalion-text ). The story of a lowly flower girl who ‘becomes’ an aristocrat after learning to speak “high class” English. This play is full of witty comments about the artificiality of a society that uses language to discover social identity. Look in particular at the symbolism of the title, the use of cockney dialect and the way stage directions bring characters together. There are several film versions of this play and it was made into the musical My Fair Lady (F MYF)
Shaw, Bernard. Saint Joan (822.9 SHA) This play rediscovers the life of famous military leader Joan of Arc from the first moment she reveals that God sent her to save France from the evil English through military victories to her trial before the English inquisition and eventual canonisation by the Catholic church. Focus on the alternation of Joan’s acceptance and rejection by other characters and the way the author satirises the fact that she was made into a saint. Look for irony in the plot and the dialogue. Ms Carmyn has an (old) film version.
Wilde, Oscar. The Importance of Being Earnest (822 WIL) This late Victorian play is a social satire of the English Upper classes. Filled with exaggerated characters, mistaken identity and witty word play, it follows the fortunes of Jack/Ernest, an orphan found in a hand bag in a London railway station. An ex-HSC text, there are lots of study guides (including http://www.shmoop.com/importance-of-being-earnest/ ) on this play as well as a couple of films (don’t forget your text is the actual play). Your markers are likely to know it very well. Recommended for advanced students.
Films
Bhansali, Sanjay Leela. (2005) Black (Hindi film) Tells the story of deaf/blind girl, Michelle and her teacher, Mr Sahai. As she develops into a well-educated university student, her elderly teacher begins suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, resulting in a touching role reversal. Based on the real-life story of Helen Keller, this film has scoop3d up just about every Indianm film award. Look at the backstory of Michelle's relationship with her family and their power struggles with Mr Sahai as well as Michelle's coming of age. Pay special attention to the use of light and darkness as a symbol of both character's development. There is an excellent study guide to this film in Screen Education 70 (Winter 2013).
Chadha, Gurinder. Bend It Like Beckham. [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. Jess belongs to an Indian family and Anglo soccer team and the clash between these groups is a catalyst for many discoveries including her true feelings for her coach (Joe), her friendship with Jules and the outing of her gay friend Tony. Everything about this film contributes to these discoveries, the costumes, settings, cinematography, dialogue and sound track. See Ms Carmyn for a study guide if you didn’t study it in class.
Cuaron, Alfonso (2013) Gravity is a thriller where the villain is space itself. When disaster strikes their space station, two astronauts are flung into space. This film lends itself particularly well to a feminist analysis as it examines the roles of a woman in the male-dominated world of astrophysics, as well as woman as mother and woman as hero. Pay special attention to the cinematography, especially the long shots and unusual lighting, and unusual soundtrack which create a sense of weightlessness and disorientation for the viewer. There is an excellent study guide to this film in Screen Education 73 (Autumn 2014) and some useful reviews at David Bordwell's Website on Cinema [http://www.davidbordwell.net/blog/2013/11/07/gravity-part-1-two-characters-adrift-in-an-experimental-film/]
Hogan, P.J. Muriel’s Wedding. This Australian film is a (sometimes quite black) comedy about Muriel’s attempt to live her dream of the perfect wedding. Along the way she is confronted with cancer, suicide and discovery of where she really belongs. Focus on the ways lighting, music and costumes both reflect her dream world and anchor her in reality. An unusual interpretation can be found at http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/feature/13
Hughs, John. The Breakfast Club. Five students, the princess, the jock, the nerd, the rebel and the dag, are trapped together on a Saturday detention. Analyse the way the students turn on each other then eventually discover through their shared experiences that they are not much different from each other after all. Camera angles (esp. point of view shots) and the sound track are as important as the dialogue in establishing the changing relationships. The script can be found as http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/breakfast_club.html
Nair, Mira. Vanity Fair. In this elegant satire of C19th society, Becky Sharp claws her way up the social ladder among lavish sets and costumes, but don’t let this distract you from some very important comments about the nature of female society. The extras will give you a good understanding of the historical context and the director’s intentions. Focus on the way the camera and dialogue compel you to empathise with Becky even when she’s being less than endearing. A good review can be found at http://www.aboutfilm.com/movies/v/vanityfair.htm.
Polanski, Roman. Oliver Twist. Orphaned early in life, Oliver Twist discovers his place Fagin’s band of pickpockets migth gibve way to higher aspirations. This film adaptation uses harsh angles and monotonous textures in the setting and low-key lighting to convey the dark themes of Charles Dickens’ famous novelRietman, Jason. Juno. When she discovers she is pregnant, Juno has to deal with issues “way beyond my maturity level” – including her changing physical shape, the attitudes of her peers and what it means to “flirt with” the concept of adulthood. Listen to the commentaries to find out how the composers intended you to respond to camera angles, soundtrack, settings/costumes and particular moments in the dialogue. A viewing guide can be found at http://alinihatekenblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/study-questions-for-juno-jason-reitman-2007/. Recommended for standard students only.
Wheedon, Joss. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: “Tabula Rasa”. [Ms Carmyn has a copy]. Almost any episode could be used to discuss discovery – there’s an essay on “Normal Again” in the O-drive. In this episode, willow casts a spell and all they key characters have their entire memories erased. They wake up and try to discover their relationships to each other – some of them very obscure (like the vampire Spike who thinks he’s a superhero). Pay particular attention to the way the camera angles and lighting are used to direct the readers viewpoints as well as the props the characters use to “discover” their identities. Listen to the excellent director’s commentary for techniques to discuss in your essay. Interesting essays from a film studies perspective can be found at http://slayageonline.com/essays/slayage17/Albright.htm and http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~felluga/sf/sampleAPaperMrO3d.html. If you’ve never watched Buffy before, have a look at wikipaedia or a similar site first otherwise you will miss the comedy by not knowing how the characters are supposed to fit together.
Wier, Peter. Picnic at Hanging Rock. This Australian classic is a mystery film raising questions about the disappearance of a group of Edwardian school girls on an excursion at Hanging Rock. Focus on the conflict between the prim and proper European school life (esp costumes, props and interior settings) and the haunting, mysterious quality of the Australian landscape (esp. in cinematography and soundtrack).
Bridges, Jeff. Stick It. Once an Olympic gymnast, ??? is taken to court for delinquent behaviour and forced by a judge to return to elite gymnastics training. After refusing to join the squad she discovers she has alot of real-world experience to offer. Focus on her changing attitude to the other team members and the way this is demonstrated through the camera angles, soundtrack and choreographed gymnastic performances. It would suit a sporty student who is looking at teens who discover ways to resist social norms.Rites of Passage
Great Expectations
The Spectacular Now
Secret Life of Bees