Literary Analysis Essay – Film  Just like in novels, movies follow major characters as they change and grow throughout the story  These changes and situations can force characters to change and grow into new people with new perspectives  Think about Ha, she was forced to adapt to her new life in Alabama and as a result grew into a mature confident young woman (where as in the beginning she was self centered child who only worried about herself)  We are going to be tracking a new major character’s growth and change but this time not in a book but in a film.

Book Talk  Write down the learning target while the presenter gets ready.  As they present, write down the title, author, and brief summary.  Add it to your night-stand booklist if you want to read it.

The prompt:  In historical fiction, characters grow and change throughout the story arc and this character growth helps develop a work’s central themes.  Consider the film Remember the Titans. Write a literary essay discussing how the author reveals the theme through character change, setting and conflict in the film.  Lets unpack this prompt. Turn and talk:  What do you think you will need to be tracking or taking notes about while you view the film over the next three days?

Remember the Titans  In the early 1970s, one African American and one white high school are closed. The two schools are integrated, forming T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia.  The movie is based on the story of the 1971 T.C. Williams High School Titans football team. (Historical fiction—not a documentary).

Remember the Titans: Characters Gerry Bertier Julius Campbell

Remember the Titans: Characters Coach BooneCoach Yoast

What’s the Symbolism in Julius’ Poster?  “Smith and Carlos, winners of the gold and bronze medals, respectively, in the event, had come to the ceremony dressed to protest: wearing black socks and no shoes to symbolize African-American poverty, a black glove to express African-American strength and unity. (Smith also wore a scarf, and Carlos beads, in memory of lynching victims.) As the national anthem played and an international TV audience watched, each man bowed his head and raised a fist,” (Davis 1). Read more: places/olympic-athletes-who-took-a-stand /#bYzr8jZGBReqAML9.99

At Football Camp….  Notice and Note how Gerry’s perspective begins to stay the same or change during football camp at Gettysburg College. (Hint: Contrast and Contradiction)  Who begins to challenge his beliefs? Who starts to influence him? How? What is said to him? (Hint: Pay Attention to Julius and Coach Boone. Watch for Words of the Wiser!).

Share:  1. What was Gerry’s attitude at the beginning of the movie? What evidence do you have for it?  2. How is the conflict showing a theme?

Gettysburg  At Gettysburg…Lee's second invasion of the North had failed, and had resulted in heavy casualties; an estimated 51,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, captured, or listed as missing after Gettysburg.  The Civil War was fought over many things—economics, state versus federal rights, and slavery. The reasons were numerous pitting families against each other, towns against each other, and

Share:  1. What lesson is Gerry starting to learn? How do you know?