OK, here we go.
Now, I know that we only really choose to study English because we quite often get to watch films in lessons, but, with Things Fall Apart, we've picked a wrong'un. Those of you whose hopes were briefly raised by Mr Roberts' promise of purchasing a film to show you (see below) will only have those hopes dashed on the floor like a red-eyed rat (Ch. 8) when you realize that the 'trailer' is not in fact the carefully thought through promotional material of a major Hollywood production company, but rather the product of somebody with too much time on their hands cutting together bits of '300' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean'.
There has been an actual adaptation of Things Fall Apart, but a quick look at the following video will reveal why we won't be investing time and effort in this series put together by the Nigerian Broadcasting Company:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7FS95IcRNU
Now. Here comes the competition bit, concentrate.
The theme tune of NBC's production is brilliant (I've been humming it to myself for weeks) but not exactly apt for the subject matter (far too cheery). So, my set and anyone else who wants to join in, here's your task: COME UP WITH A BETTER THEME TUNE. You can post a link to a video or just name the track.
Happy thinking...
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Ten Things You Didn't Know about Tennessee Williams
1. Tennessee Williams's mum was very much a 'southern belle' and in many ways a real life equivalent of Stella's character. She was someone who could take care of herself - a 'survivor', just like Stella.
2. His father was a travelling salesman, often away, who was drunk and violent at home. Williams felt alienated from his father and relied on his mother and sister for emotional support.
3. Williams worked at a shoe factory, where his closest friend was a burly co-worker, someone who was easygoing and attractive to women. His name was Stanley Kowalski!
4. His father attacked his sister Rose (it may or may not have been sexual) and afterwards, his mum, Edwina, signed the papers for a lobotomy for Rose, who then spent the rest of her life in a mental institution. (Compare this to what happens to Blanche at the end of the play!)
5. Williams planned the play as a series of confrontations between working-class poker players and two refined southern women.
6. He won a Pulitzer Prize for 'Streetcar Named Desire'.
7. The first name for the play was 'The Poker Night'. The second one was 'The Moth', before Williams settled on 'Streetcar Named Desire'.
8. 'Streetcar' relies on effects of language, especially of a vivid and colloquial southern speech. Rhythms of language become an almost musical indication of character, distinguishing Blanche from the other characters. (Remember that Stella switches between registers with ease, which highlights Blanche's inability to fit in even further.)
9. According to Williams, Blanche is desperately attached to things that are going to destroy her.
10. He also said that 'desire is rooted in a longing for companionship, a release from the loneliness that haunts every individual.' Loneliness and desire propel his characters into extreme behaviour, no doubt, but such behaviour literally dramatizes the plight that Williams saw as universal.
PS: We are not studying the play as a representation of Williams's life. Rather, we should be interested in the messages conveyed in the play and these ten things might help you find your way.
PPS: Thoughts? Anything you can add to our list? Share your reactions, please! My groups need to post something by Thursday 5th November 2009 but everyone is welcome to join in!
2. His father was a travelling salesman, often away, who was drunk and violent at home. Williams felt alienated from his father and relied on his mother and sister for emotional support.
3. Williams worked at a shoe factory, where his closest friend was a burly co-worker, someone who was easygoing and attractive to women. His name was Stanley Kowalski!
4. His father attacked his sister Rose (it may or may not have been sexual) and afterwards, his mum, Edwina, signed the papers for a lobotomy for Rose, who then spent the rest of her life in a mental institution. (Compare this to what happens to Blanche at the end of the play!)
5. Williams planned the play as a series of confrontations between working-class poker players and two refined southern women.
6. He won a Pulitzer Prize for 'Streetcar Named Desire'.
7. The first name for the play was 'The Poker Night'. The second one was 'The Moth', before Williams settled on 'Streetcar Named Desire'.
8. 'Streetcar' relies on effects of language, especially of a vivid and colloquial southern speech. Rhythms of language become an almost musical indication of character, distinguishing Blanche from the other characters. (Remember that Stella switches between registers with ease, which highlights Blanche's inability to fit in even further.)
9. According to Williams, Blanche is desperately attached to things that are going to destroy her.
10. He also said that 'desire is rooted in a longing for companionship, a release from the loneliness that haunts every individual.' Loneliness and desire propel his characters into extreme behaviour, no doubt, but such behaviour literally dramatizes the plight that Williams saw as universal.
PS: We are not studying the play as a representation of Williams's life. Rather, we should be interested in the messages conveyed in the play and these ten things might help you find your way.
PPS: Thoughts? Anything you can add to our list? Share your reactions, please! My groups need to post something by Thursday 5th November 2009 but everyone is welcome to join in!
Things Come Together (Slowly)
Greetings all.
Apologies it's taken so long to get the Things Fall Apart side of the blog going, but the wheels are now in motion. As you might have realized, there aren't quite as many web resources available for Achebe's novel as there are for Streetcar, but I have a cunning plan, m'lord.
Stay tuned (or whatever the web equivalent is) and a little TFA competition should be posted here this afternoon (entry compulsory for my lot, open to all)
All for now,
Mr Knight
Apologies it's taken so long to get the Things Fall Apart side of the blog going, but the wheels are now in motion. As you might have realized, there aren't quite as many web resources available for Achebe's novel as there are for Streetcar, but I have a cunning plan, m'lord.
Stay tuned (or whatever the web equivalent is) and a little TFA competition should be posted here this afternoon (entry compulsory for my lot, open to all)
All for now,
Mr Knight
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Things Fall Apart Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FipYAYojSoY&feature=related
So, it turns out there has been a film of Achebe's masterpiece. Probably dreadful, but I shall endeavour to purchase it and show it to you soon. For now, click on the link above, or copy and paste it into your address bar. I'm not quite as funky and technical as Mr. Stanley yet and haven't managed to work out how to place the clip into this blog. One day, I shall, no doubt!
Have a watch of the trailer and remember any symbolic, powerful images. I shall quiz you on it when we return next week! ;)
Enjoy your half term,
Mr. Roberts
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