Comment/Discuss away peeps.
As you begin looking at the film, The Hunger Games, I want you to keep in mind that the way we perceive film and books is entirely different. It seems like an obvious fact, but this is usually cause for open criticism and concern when books are made into film. ADAPTATION THEORY is pretty diverse in terms of how we could define it. We're going to look at several ideas, but for the sake of keeping us all sane, let's set this idea to work with: A film can interpret a text in three ways: 1) Literal (everything in the book goes into the film exactly as it was written) 2) Interpretive (things in the book can be changed to match the conventions of film) 3) Abstractive (having taken the central idea or theme but changed elements so that the resemblance is minimal) Let's think about a film. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is probably a good definition of #2. Though it follows the majority of the text to the T, it interprets many elements and removes some to accomodate for the needs of film versus literature. In the book, Harry is on the playground with Dudley when he is attacked by Dementors. He attempts the spell twice before the third try is successful. In the film, he tries once and it happens in a walkway tunnel after the playground (and he spits vapor, not a full patronus). Seems simple and unimportant right? It's not exactly what we'd call earth shattering in terms of changing the meaning of the film, but it does change our understanding of both the character and the situation. In the book, though afraid and struggling, Harry succeeds in the end. In the film, Harry fails, but even the process of trying helps him though he is, ultimately, not the one who saves himself or Dudley. The locus (the center or location) of power and courage is vastly different. In the book we perceive the strength, determination, and courage of Harry. In the film, we perceive the fear and stress of the moment. We may also find his actions courageous and implicative of power…but we're not going to spend much time there. However, if the film had mirrored the book exactly, would it have worked? The question with adaptation is always whether or not it will give the viewer the same idea or feeling as the book. Edgar Allen Poe has said that the purpose of a story is to sustain a single emotion or feeling. If we label a film and a book as the same, is there not a responsibility to carry over that information and identity? Is the edited and unedited version of a movie or song the same? However, can you actually communicate in the same way in both mediums? What's ultimately the better option--tell the story as is and risk miscommunication (nevermind the length) or change elements of the story to sustain the intention and feel of the book? Directions: I want you to look at the quote below and the film clip that matches. Express or explain to me what you think the changes or similarities do for the reader/viewer. Has the film accomplished the goal of communicating what the book does? If not, what do the changes do?
Cultural: "The Hunger Games: Why It Matters"
Sociological: "Burning Empires: The Dystopian Future of the Hunger Games" Psychological: "The Hunger Games' Vision for the Future" Reader-Response: "Does gender matter in The Hunger Games" Gender: "What Really Makes Katniss Stand Out? Peeta, Her Movie Girlfriend" Paper Prompt 2
Due March 4, 2014 General Instructions: Having read The Hunger Games, watch the film version. In this paper you will be looking at something called “adaptation theory.” You will be given a handout on “Film Adaptation.” Your assignment for this paper is to discuss what form of film adaptation The Hunger Games uses and why they use it. Focus on a specific character, setting, situation, or scene in the film and book. Do not try to discuss the entire plot as a whole. Discuss the implications of how the book was made into a film. Why the changes (or lack of changes)? [Must use at least 1 outside source.] PAGE LENGTH: 3-4 PAGES Paper Prompt 3 Due April 17, 2014 General Instructions: We’ve spent the entirety of the semester developing analytical writing skills. We’ve looked at different texts and how they promote, reflect, or reject certain cultural/social beliefs. We’ve also been exploring how the elements of composition (including plot, character, narrator, setting) and the rhetoric of narrative create these arguments. This essay requires that you combine these skills to write a thesis-driven essay that interprets either The Hunger Games or any text (film, poem, short story, novel) of your choice to discover and explain the texts’ discourse-level argument through the use of outside criticism/sources. You will be given sources in class to read and may use them if you wish. [Must use at least 3 outside sources.] PAGE LENGTH: 4-6 PAGES Prompt: Your job in this essay, then, is:
Does your text reflect a longing for the past or do they look eagerly to future? How does your story define its characters? Does it argue an influence? Discuss the images the text presents in terms of its social and cultural context. General Tips:
Requirements:
Your final copy should be turned into my Gmail address ([email protected]) as a Word document (the ending should be .doc) before the start of class on the due date AND you should bring a printed copy to class. Any other format will not be accepted and your paper will either be marked late or as a zero Themes The Hunger Games (Book) The Hunger Games (Movie)
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