Motifs in Double Indemnity

Explain how one motif shapes your response to characters and events in Double Indemnity.

Chapter Summaries

We have agreed on the following formatting rules for your chapter studies.

Questions are to be written first in bold italics.
Cambria bold headings.
Cambria font for your paragraphs.
Size 12 font.

Classwork Tuesday 6th September

These reading notes on The Shark Net are brilliant.
Use the following headings to take notes as you read,
• Significant events
• Themes and ideas
• Context Perth and family life
• Rites of passage
• Juxtaposition: private, community, nation.
• Significance of title.
• Interesting words or phrases: As you read, take note of some key words you would like to use in your own writing. You do not want to plagiarise or steal the ideas of the author, but take note of the versatile vocabulary.
-simmering anger, norms, meditation, memorialises

TV drama-rama feedback

Some feedback for your viewing assessment.

1) Define target audience. What was the intended audience? Why? If discussing your personal response, mention your context and relevant attitudes and values.

2) Mention specific attitudes and values.

3) Formulate a thesis. Do we accept, reject, challenge, disagree, identify with the values and attitudes of the text? Justify your position and explain how the text presents these values. Don't just look at the characters, although they are a vehicle for such attitudes and values, but consider how text promotes or privileges certain values. Does the text use satire or humour?

I have an annotation of the question (in my scribble) and some good responses on the portal.

Enjoy.

If you have the attention, interest, desire and action, and would like to study for your test tomorrow, here are some ideas. You can re-view clips of the pilot episode, or episode two of Desperate Housewives (Season One) online. I have linked to a small section, with some interesting subtitles. Unfortunately I can't find any clips from The Socratic Method.

You can also comment/ask questions of your peers. You may like to explore relevant conventions and techniques and how they show issues, values and themes of the text.


Are there any interesting symbols in the pilot? How do they show key themes or attitudes in the text?

Advertising notes

Thanks to P & K for these advertising notes. These texts are great and remember you can discuss advertising in the viewing section of the exam.

Dialogue Discussion

Question: Explain how dialogue/voiceover constructs a character and reveals key themes of the episode.

Try and use at least two quotations and link to other filmic techniques where possible. Endeavour to incorporate your quotation into your discussion. Paste your comment after this post. I have put a sample paragraph here and if you want to look further at the structure I have followed, visit our page at the PC Portal.

Bree bristles with perfectionism in the first episode of Desperate Housewives; she is constructed as a woman devoted to projecting an image of success. Through the dialogue between Bree and her husband, we learn of the unhappiness beneath the surface, illuminating the theme of the differences between appearances and reality. When Bree's husband abruptly announces "I want a divorce" the viewer is shocked by the abrupt shattering of the domestic ideal. More telling though is Bree's reaction - she ignores him - suggesting her power and determination to cling to the role of the domestic paragon. Her husband announces, “I just can’t live in this detergent commercial anymore” highlighting the superficial strain of their relationship. Indeed, the idea of a "detergent commercial" suggests that Bree has constructed a polished world, with a veneer of success and domestic virtue. As the viewer has seen earlier from her rehearsed speech and uptight deportment at the wake, Bree's role is entirely performative. Overly attentive but often neglectful of others' emotional needs, she appears to control and manipulate her family's behaviour. Classical music from the kitchen of the Van de Kamps echoes the dining scenes from American Beauty where the highly composed pieces reflect the uptight desire of Carolyn to control the domestic setting. The scene from Desperate Housewives closes on a private moment of Bree sobbing, alone, actions which don’t necessarily arouse sympathy but instead reinforce the quiet desperation of the life of yet another housewife. Surfaces shimmer brightly on Wisteria Lane, masking family dysfunction and pain as illustrated in the tense discussions of the Van De Kamps.

Created by Marc Cherry

The details for Desperate Housewives are listed here. As the show has many directors, just refer to the creator and producer Marc Cherry in your responses/assessments. I have also copied the key cast from IMDB below, or alternatively you can visit the site for some visuals.

Cast (Series Cast Summary - 18 of 298)

Teri Hatcher ... Susan Mayer / ... (159 episodes, 2004-2011)
Felicity Huffman ... Lynette Scavo (159 episodes, 2004-2011)
Marcia Cross ... Bree Van De Kamp / ... (159 episodes, 2004-2011)
Eva Longoria ... Gabrielle Solis / ... (159 episodes, 2004-2011)
Ricardo Chavira ... Carlos Solis (159 episodes, 2004-2011)
Brenda Strong ... Mary Alice Young (159 episodes, 2004-2011)
James Denton ... Mike Delfino (159 episodes, 2004-2011)
Doug Savant ... Tom Scavo (154 episodes, 2004-2011)
Nicollette Sheridan ... Edie Britt (112 episodes, 2004-2009)
Shawn Pyfrom ... Andrew Van De Kamp (111 episodes, 2004-2011)
Andrea Bowen ... Julie Mayer (99 episodes, 2004-2011)
Kyle MacLachlan ... Orson Hodge (93 episodes, 2006-2011)
Brent Kinsman ... Preston Scavo (88 episodes, 2004-2011)
Shane Kinsman.. Porter Scavo (88 episodes, 2004-2011)
Zane Huett ... Parker Scavo (81 episodes, 2004-2010)
Kathryn Joosten ... Karen McCluskey (77 episodes, 2005-2011)
Mark Moses ... Paul Young (75 episodes, 2004-2011)
Dana Delany ... Katherine Mayfair (65 episodes, 2007-2011)

The Question

How does the exposition of Desperate Housewives (episode one, series one) comment on American values and lifestyle?

One paragraph (you may do more if you wish) due Thursday. Use relevant dialogue, filmic techniques and so forth to illuminate your discussion of the text.

For the girls at ONSITE, you may view the first six minutes of the exposition, as shown in the link posted earlier.

For the rest of the class, you could even post some of these lifestyle aspects/attitudes here (see your notes) for their benefit.

responses to the socratic method

-skeptical--> medicine, how much we actually know about our own bodies
-sympathetic--> towards the boy and his mum, boy didn't experience 'normal' teenage life (camera shots create a sense of vulnerability)
-confused--> episode takes you on a journey of questioning (socratic method) answer is always so simple
-annoyed--> at House: he plays the hero but doesn't seem to celebrate his birthday and other happy 'human' occasions, annoyed at mother for calling authorities even though it was for the sons best interest( she wants to protect him and herself)
-intrigued--> through medical shots, glamourises everyday medical life and makes it seem more interesting
-hope--> restoring faith in medicine, House protects mum by playing villain. "that all important human connection, I thought I would give it a whirl"-House

Panel permissions?

Hi girls,

I'd like to scan and save some of your panel notes to the portal. Can you reply with a yay or nay so I know whether to use your notes. Well done for those of you who prepared thoroughly - you will be rewarded for your efforts.

Additionally, can you please email me at my school email with the nickname you have selected. Some are obvious, but a few are quite ambiguous.

Cheers,

Miss Miller

Drama deliberations

The drama scripts were on the whole delightful, original and grappled with issues highly relevant to Dead Heart, as stipulated in the task criteria.

Strengths & Points for Improvements
Issues
+All scripts engaged with the key issues
+There were many original storylines and characters brought the issues to life.
! Some scripts combined too many issues in a short scene.

Script/Structure/Set Design
+Initial set design was usually well-established with a clear Australian setting.
+Verbal cues, particularly those indicating tone, were strong.
-Some scripts had major inconsistencies and did not read like drama scripts. Action on stage must be carefully scripted. If a character runs away, dives into the ocean, or appears suddenly, you must think about how this will be staged, including set design, acting and use of props.
-All transitions and scene changes must be indicated. Use sound and lighting and keep production elements in mind throughout.

Dialogue:
+ Many scripts featured powerful, authentic dialogue that effectively established character and conflict.
! make sure the dialogue fits, considering factors such as the temporal setting, age and role of the character.
! Don’t overuse dialogue or try to accomplish too much back story/drama through 'telling'. Action is powerful. Some had their characters directly address the audience – an excellent device but must be used carefully.

Panel advertisements

VB 'The Regulars'



Not Happy Jan (Yellow Pages)



Garage Talk (Ikea Pax Wardrobe)



Kia Soul, featuring hamsters

PowerPoint Breakthroughs

Maximus excitement. Behold the amazing advertising PowerPoint, and view as many times as you like:

Lesson one powerpoint ppt (2)

View more presentations from MissMiller.

Desperate Housewives

Here is part of the first episode of Desperate Housewives. We'll be looking at this early next week, as another text to discuss in your essay on television drama (coming up next week).

Drama assessment feedback

Here is the link to the feedback for question two of your drama assessment on Dead Heart. If you are accessing this from home you will be asked for your school username and password as it is stored on the portal.

Reading Response Tall Man Question One: Feedback

Expository text: open your eyes, exposes truth,non-fiction.

How: Techniques--> characterisation, binary opposites, rhyming, repetition, imagery, point of view, metaphors.
Positions: How the text wants us to respond, appeals to our attitudes and values, influences.
Responds:Anger, Shock, Denial, Sympathy,
Issues: cultural differences- racial conflict between the indigenous and non-indigenous, assimilation in Australia, authority - corruption in law, alcoholism, drug abuse, abuse (physical and psychological) abuse, Entrapment and cyclical violence, Class.

Socratic Method questions

1. How do voiceovers and sirens help to present the issues in the exposition?
2. What is the effect of the medical shots, showing close-ups of bodily functions and medical issues? How do they position the viewer to respond to the people and issues presented?
3. What is the significance of the title "The Socratic Method". How does it fit with the issues explored in the episode?
4. In the exposition, House remarks, "That all important human connection, I thought I'd give it a whirl." How does this invite the viewer to perceive his character?
5. How is the character of House presented in the exposition?
6. How does the episode invite viewers to question their assumptions about mental illness?
7. What features or techniques of medical dramas are used in the show?
8. How does the resolution of the episode restore the viewers faith in humanity and the medical profession?
9. How does the episode question and redefine normality?
10. How does the episode explore American values? You may like to consider family, hope, love, loyalty, rationality and truth.
11. Does the episode present any medical or ethical dilemmas?
12. Why does the episode also focus on an argument between a young girl and her mother about an ice-cream cake?

The House Effect: Are Real Patients Misled by TV Docs?

Interesting article from Time Magazine: "'House' Effect: Are Real Patients Misled by TV Docs?

1. Can you identify three issues that TV dramas such as House raise for the the public's understanding of the role of doctors?
2. What is the purpose of this article?
3. What features of medical dramas are mentioned in the article?
   

Welcome

Welcome English enthusiasts,

Here is a space to communicate, ruminate and access wondrous English resources for 2B. I hope you use it as a springboard for your studies, to stew and to re-view, and to urge your peers on to greatness. We have some exciting topics ahead: Robert Drewe's Shark Net, film noir and television drama, now with added drama.

Hopefully it will also help the onsite folk catch up readily and give you the opportunity to work ahead if you want. Let me know if there is anything else you would like, such as some sample papers for exams or some videos on key topics. I might even try and 'get my Jing on' to do some videos for you.

Enjoy,

Miss Miller