英语影视欣赏 美国丽人

1、Lecture Four,Social Drama Film American Beauty,Presented by Jerry,Social Drama Film,Social Drama as a Genre Characteristics Narrative Pattern of Social Drama Underlying Principle on Social Drama,Definition of Social Drama,Social Dramas are films whose central narrative concern or conflict is a socia

2、l problem- poverty, inequality, discrimination, racism, or exclusion, etc.,Two defining conventions of this genre:,Identify a social ill Dramatize its remedy,One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest,Deal with the mental health system,Traffic 毒品网络,Deal with drug abuse,Characteristics,The social is usually a co

3、ntemporary problem and as such the setting is also contemporary. The social drama typically displays a sympathetic perspective towards the victims of this problem, and is supportive of those who fight against it. Underlying the social drama is the assumption that the problem, once recognized, can be

4、 remedied through well-intentioned social, political, or legal reform.,Narrative Structure of Social Drama,The protagonist is initially unaware of the existence of the problem. As the film develops, the protagonist becomes conscious of the problem and becomes committed to fighting against it. The pr

5、otagonist is helped in this process by a minor character who communicates the true nature of the problem and suggests ways of dealing with it. The problem is often embodied in the figure of the antagonist. The protagonist finally confronts his problem, is victorious or defeated, And the film ends,Ho

6、races Art of Poetry (Roman poetry critics) 65-8 BC “To teach or to delight, or both if possible.” Philip Sydneys Defense of Poetry (British scholar) 1554-1586 “The ending end of all earthly learning being virtuous action.”,Underlying principle on social drama,American Beauty,Synopsis Characters Styl

7、e-”rose” symbol, the shot Critical Perspectives,Synopsis of American Beauty,It is about the story of Lester Burnham, who lives a calm life with his family in American suburbia. One evening he is pressured by his wife Carolyn to attend a performance at their daughters local school. Participating in t

8、he performance is Janes best friend Angela, an attractive girl, by whom Lester is fascinated. Lesters meeting with Angela awakens in him a vitality he has not known for years. With the assistance of his neighbours son, Ricky Fitts, he begins to rediscover the pleasures of youth. He quits his meaning

9、less office job and starts smoking marijuana again;,In flight from the restraints of his marriage, he even turns a blind eye to his wifes infidelity. One night, when Angela comes to stay with Jane in the family home, Lester overhears her say that if he worked out more she would sleep with him. Inspi

10、red, he begins his pursuit in earnest. Colonel Fitts misunderstands the relationship between Lester and his son Ricky. Himself a repressed homosexual, he believes that Lester is paying money to his son in exchange for sexual favours. One rainy evening he can resist the temptation no longer. He seduc

11、es Lester in his garage. Lester is shocked and turns him away. Shortly afterwards, he returns with a gun and shoots Lester in the head. At the moment of his death, Lester finally relives the most beautiful moments of his life, and comes to realize what it is that he has been seeking all along.,Prota

12、gonist: Lester,Outer Motivation Inner Motivation,To seduce Angela, but he fails at last,First, motivated to live freely from nonsense that surrounds him, embodies by his wifes “success” and his boss “boring daily work”,Second, motivated to pursue beauty that comes from appreciating life in its whole

13、ness,Motivated to engage in human contact, talking with Angela at last. He succeeds at last.,Antagonist: Carolyn and Colonel Fitts,Both seek to end Lesters life at the climax,Lesters pursuit for freedom, truth and intimacy,Material and “me-first” philosophy: Carolyn,Fitts: older model of masculinity

14、 that can only express itself in the form of physical strength and aggression.,Question for discussion: Find out positive and negative qualities of characters,Symbol: Rose,Passionate love Every rose has its thorns-dangerous, hurting Short lifespan: “Gather ye roses while ye may”-carpe diem,Lesters “

15、love” to Angela is like rose petal, which is partial and unrealistic; he has not accepted the full symbolic significance of the rose and its thorns.,American beauty is a kind of rose, which symbolizes only the fittest can survive: “The American beauty rose can be produced in the splendour and fragra

16、nce which bring cheer to its beholder only by sacrificing the early buds which grow up around it” Symbolizing the ruthlessly competitive environment in which Lester and the other characters must live.,Shot,Overhead shot: “Gods eye-view”=retrospective version of events narrated by a dead mans spirit,

17、Symmetrical composition (对称结构) dinner scene Reinforce the feeling of rigidity and stasis:,Critical perspectives Dysfunctional America Definition: abnormal or unhealthy interaction between members Applications: Lester: Mid-life crisis/estranged from their daughter Jane Cause of mid-life crisis: uncer

18、tainty about the meaning of ones life Colonel Fitts: Repression of his homosexuality and projecting on Lester and his son Carolyn: Estranged from her daughter and her husband Angela, Jane, Ricky: identity crisis,2. A concept of Beauty Spokesman for beauty are Ricky Fitts; his disciple, Lester Two important attributes