Avatar & Imperialism Essay
By Ms. Costa
Your Task:
• You are to write an essay (3 Paragraphs)
explaining the similarities between the movie
Avatar and the Age of Imperialism. Be sure to
explain the Age of Imperialism and cite
specific examples from the movie that
emulate similar actions. Consider motives,
actions and outcomes.
Avatar Essay Checklist:
Completed graphic organizer with name
Rubric Attached
A 3-Paragraph “essay”
Size 12 pt. Font Times New Roman
Double Spaced
 paragraphs at least 5 sentences long
An intro with a thesis & although statement
 body paragraphs with supporting examples
Each body paragraph with a topic sentence and clincher
Avatar Suggested
Outline
• Intro: General Statement,
transition statement(s),
and thesis (although
statement)
• Body Paragraph 1: Motives
& Actions of Europeans and
humans in Avatar
• Body Paragraph:
Outcomes of European
actions and actions of
humans in Avatar
nd
2
A Topic Sentence and Clincher
• T.S.: Motives “One of the first noticeable parallels
between the motion picture and imperialism is the
invaders’ motive for attempting to colonize foreign
lands.”
• Clincher: Outcomes “The colonies of Europe
following their independence movements are
often still developing today, and the European
nations stayed the developed superpowers they
are today.
st
1
The Body Paragraph:
Motives & Actions
European Motives:
• Desire for Natural Resources:
Motives in Avatar
• Desire for Natural Resources:
– Europeans want oil, rubber, diamonds
(Africa) and cotton (India)
– The British East India dominated India
politically, economically and culturally
(beneficial to large Empire and feed
industrial markets)
• Cultural Superiority
– Eurocentricism -Belief that European
culture is superior to others
– White Mans Burden by Rudyard
Kipling
– Use religion as a mask for underlying
motive – build religious schools
convert natives to Christianity
– Humans want to obtain Unobtanium
from moon of Pandora to save Earth
from energy crisis
– The Resources Development
Administration dominated Pandora
and the Na’vi
• Cultural Superiority
– Parker and the military are
completely dismissive of Na’vi
culture
– Examples: there are millions of trees
they can move – it’s a tree
– “These people have to learn we
don’t stop”
st
1
The Body Paragraph:
Motives & Actions
Actions/ process in Imperialism
• Fear of the Unknown
– Europeans called Africa “Dark
Continent” and carved it up for
themselves after exploring it and
taking over “Scramble for Africa”
• Use of Technology/ Weaponry
– Europeans use canons, muskets,
and heavy artillery to take over
less technologically advanced
natives
– Indigenous people no defense
against their weaponry
Actions/ process in Avatar
• Fear of the Unknown
– While exploring Na’vi
territory, Jake/ outsiders 1st
instinct is to shoot
• Use of Technology/
Weaponry
– The RDA and military used
gunships, tanks, guns to kill
and destroy Natives
Hometree & Tree of Souls
when negotiations failed
– Bows and Arrows vs.
Advanced Weapons
nd
2
Body Paragraph: Outcomes
Outcomes Age of Imperialism
• Conflict:
– Natives in Asia, Americas, and
Africa resent foreign rule
– Rebellion & war
– The Sepoy Mutiny in India
– Boxer Rebellion China
– Colonies take decades to gain
independence -following WWII
indep. movements
– 1950s last to gain indep. from
European countries
Outcomes Avatar
• Conflict:
– Na’vi rebel and fight for
homeland and sacred sites
– Jake unties warring tribes
– Na’vi are successfully able to
overthrow colonizers
– Humans leave/ Na’vi are
independent
Tips to Consider…
• Turn in essay on time- for every day late 2 points
off
• A point will be taken off for every time “I, you, me,
or my” is used in addition to “This is what I will
cover in my essay”
• Must follow structure: Although statement, topic
sentences, and clincher
• Back up all examples/ explain
• Connect ideas
Good Luck- Help Session Monday after
school 3:05-3:30
Source:
• Google Images