False Inspiration-Seinfeld
Preview warm up questions
1. Who has been a significant source of inspiration in your life, and in what ways did they
influence you?
2. Can you recall a specific instance where someone's encouragement motivated you to
achieve something you initially believed was beyond your capabilities?
3. What is your understanding of martial arts, and how does practicing them contribute to
the development of self-discipline?
Predict: What will the episode be about? Look at the 4 photos
Listening Vocabulary
1. Inspiration
1k
2. Catalog
2h
3. Burma
3f
4. Sammy Davis
4g
5. (a body part) like noodles 5l
6. Run off to (somewhere) 6j
7d
7. Carpool
8b
8. To run (something) / In charge
9a
9. Qualified
10e
10. Dominating
11c
11. Markup (price)
12u
12. Support
13o
13. Look inside
14n
14. Spar
15m
15. Beat (someone)
16
16. Wring
17t
17. (To be) Blunt
18s
18. Burnt out
19p
19. Build (someone) up
20q
20. Stance
21r
21. Dojo
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.
P.
Q.
R.
S.
T.
U.
having particular skills
to have responsibility over something or someone
A raise in the price of an item for sale.
a group of people who travel together, especially to
work or school, usually in a different member's car each
day
a player, team, or performance that is clearly superior,
controlling the game or match in such a way that their
opponents have little chance of winning. It involves
consistently outplaying the competition through skill,
strategy, and physical prowess.
An older historical name for Myanmar
An American entertainer/singer-popular in the 1960’s70’s
a listing (usually in magazine or online format),
sometimes with explanations or pictures, of items
offered for sale
feeling weak, limp, or extremely fatigued, almost as if
their muscles have no strength or structure.
To suddenly leave
someone or something that gives you ideas or
motivation for doing something
squeeze and twist (something)
to defeat someone
to engage in a practice combat
to examine one's own thoughts or feelings
to give assistance
the way a practitioner positions their body, particularly
their feet, legs, and torso, during training, combat, or
movement. To provide balance, stability, and readiness
for offense or defense.
a training hall or classroom where martial arts are
taught and practiced.
a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion
caused by prolonged stress, often due to work, school,
or other demanding responsibilities.
to speak in a direct, straightforward, and often harsh or
tactless manner.
to encourage, praise, or support someone, helping to
boost their confidence, self-esteem, or morale. It
involves giving positive reinforcement and providing
emotional or practical support to help them feel more
capable or motivated.
PREVIEW: Watch some silent stills of the film and predict what is happening - Use body language, facial
expressions and settings for clues.
Elaine’s CEO (Peterman) has left the company to vacation in Myanmar.
He has abandoned a big catalog project and has left her to create the annual catalog for the
company. She feels as if this is too difficult a responsibility for her. Kramer gives her some
inspiration from his Karate lessons…
Secretary: Elaine, it's Mr. Peterman on the phone.
Elaine: (answers the phone) Hello, Mr. Peterman, how are you feeling?
J. Peterman (CEO) : Elaine, I'll be blunt. I'm burnt out. I'm fried. _______________
is as barren as the
My mind
surface of the moon. I can run ___________________no
longer.
Catalog
Elaine: What? Well, who's gonna do it?
J. Peterman: What about you?
Elaine: Me? Why me?
J. Peterman: Why, indeed.
Elaine: Mr. Peterman, you can't leave.
Already left
J. Peterman: I've ______________________,
Elaine. I'm in Burma.
Elaine: Burma?
Know it as
J. Peterman: You most likely _____________________
Myanmar,
-------------------------Elaine is complaining to Jerry
Jerry: Where?
Elaine: Burma.
Jerry: Isn't it Myanmar now?
Wants me to run
Elaine: Jerry, he ____________________________!
It's crazy! I can't be in charge!
Jerry: No, certainly not.
Elaine: I mean, I can't give ____________________________!
People orders
Jerry: No one's gonna listen to you.
Qualified to run
Elaine: I am not ____________________________the
catalog!
Jerry: You're not qualified to work at the catalog.
[Elaine groans in frustration as Kramer enters.]
Whats wronf
Kramer: Hey. (notices Elaine) ____________________________?
Elaine: Oh, Peterman ran off to Burma, and now he wants me to run the catalog.
Kramer: ____________________________?
Where
Jerry: Myanmar.
Kramer: The discount pharmacy?
Just gonna tell him no
Elaine: Well, I'm just gonna ____________________________.I
can't run the catalog.
Kramer: Whoa, whoa. Can't? When did that word enter your vocabulary? What, is the job too
difficult? (Jerry nods) What, U
____________________________
don’t enough experience ?(Jerry shakes his head) Oh, you're not
smart enough? (Jerry shakes his head) Where's your confidence? (Jerry shrugs his shoulders) Look,
Elaine, let me tell you a story. When I first studied karate...
Elaine: Karate?
Kramer: Yeah, karate. I had no support. Not from him, not from Newman, no one. The first time I
sparred with an opponent, ____________________________.
My legs, they were like noodles. But
I was terrified
then I looked inside, and I found my kata.
Elaine: Kata?
Kramer: Yeah, your spirit, your, uh, being. The part of you that
says, ”__________________________”!
Yes i can
Jerry: Sammy Davis had it.
Kramer: So I listened to my kata and now <vreep> I'm dominating the dojo.
____________________________.
Im class champion
Elaine: Well, you know, I, I have watched Peterman run the company.
Kramer: Sure you have.
Huge markup
Elaine: I know how to do it. Pair of pants, a stupid story, ____________________________.I
can do
that.
Kramer: You follow your kata, and you can do anything. (leads her to the door) Now get out of here.
Elaine: (excitedly) Okay.
[Kramer slams the door in her face]
Kramer: That kid is gonna be all right.
Jerry: No, she's not.
[There's a knock at Jerry's door.]
Joey: Come on, Kramer!
Hey there
Kramer: ____________________________.
Down in the car
Joey: Come on. Mom's ____________________________.
Kramer: Okay, Joey.
Dojo
Jerry: You guys both have class at the ____________________________?
Kramer: No, we're in the same class.
Jerry: What do you mean you're in the same class?
Kramer: He almost beat me.
Jerry: Kramer, you're ____________________________?
Fighting children
Skill level
Kramer: We're all at the same ____________________________Jerry.
Jerry: He's nine years old! You don't need karate, you can just wring his neck!
[Car horn honks.]
Kramer: I got carpool!
[New scene. Kramer's carpool.]
Kramer: Thanks for the juice box, Mrs. Z.
On the way home mom?
Joey: Hey, could we stop for ice cream on ____________________,
Mrs. Zanfino: Mmm, I don't know...
[The kids begin pleading, so Kramer joins in.]
………………………………………………………………………………..
[New scene. Kramer's karate class.]
Sensei: Are you prepared for kumite (combat)?
Kramer & Joey: Yes, sensei (teacher).
Stance
Sensei: Fight ______________________.
[Kramer & Joey assume fight stance.]
Sensei: Begin!
[Kramer then frantically makes several karate hand motions, intimidating Joey. What follows is a
montage of sequences featuring Kramer challenging his class. He grabs an opponent by the foot and
flips him over; knocks one out with a simple karate chop to the head; has another turned upside
down being shaken violently; drags another along the floor; and chases several at once.]
Sensei: (raising Kramer's arm as the champion) Winner! [The other kids bow their heads in disgrace.]
[New scene. Kramer's karate class. Kramer is beating his opponent, a little girl. Elaine walks in,
surprised.]
Elaine: Kramer!
Kramer: Oh, hey.
Elaine: What ________________________?
Kramer: Oh, well, I-I-I'm dominating.
Elaine: You never __________________________ fighting children.
Kramer: Well, it's not the size of the opponent, Elaine, it's, uh, the ferocity.
Elaine: This is what you used to build me up? This is ______________________________ stupid katra
stuff?
Kramer: No, no. That's from, uh, (the film) Star Trek III... “The Search for Spock” (Note: Star Trek is a
classic 1960s-1990s science fiction program).
Elaine: Search... for Spock?!
Kramer: Yeah, I know Jerry will tell you that “ The Wrath of Khan” (Star Trek II) is the better picture,
but for me, I always...
Elaine: (pushes him) You doofus (fool)!
[As Kramer is knocked down, there is amazed murmuring among his peers.]
------------------
Sammy Davis (1960’s lounge singer) / Examples of Annual Clothing catalogs (note the fanciful descriptions of items as eluded to
by Elaine)
Comprehension Questions
1. What significant event triggers Elaine's stress in the script?
2. How does Elaine initially feel about taking on the responsibility of running the
catalog?
3. What advice does Kramer give Elaine to help her overcome her self-doubt?
4. How does Jerry react to Elaine’s situation and Kramer’s advice?
5. What surprising fact about Kramer’s karate class is revealed at the end of the script?
Vocabulary Questions
1. What does the word "abandoned" mean as used in the script?
2. What is the meaning of the word "inspiration" as used by Kramer?
3. What does "overwhelmed" mean in the context of Elaine’s feelings about the
project?
4. How is the term "qualified" used to describe Elaine’s feelings about her ability to
manage the catalog?
After Viewing:


Role Play the Script
Underline and identify how the idioms or expressions are used in the script.
Discussion
1. Do you think working for a fashion catalog company would be enjoyable? Why or why
not?
2. Have you had experience delegating tasks to others? Describe that experience.
3. If you were in Elaine’s situation, do you believe you could effectively manage Elaine’s
role? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever been assigned a project that felt overwhelming? How did you manage
it?
5. Should Jerry inform Elaine about Kramer’s true Karate situation (where he is the
champion in a room of children), or should he allow her to remain inspired by him?
6. What is your favorite fashion catalog, and what do you find appealing about it?
7. If your supervisor left you in charge of a major company project and then abandoned it
to go on vacation, how would you handle the situation?
8. Have you ever been let down by someone who initially inspired you? Who were they,
and what happened?
9. What is your interpretation of the saying “never meet your heroes”? Do you agree or
disagree with it?
10. Have you practiced any form of martial arts? What was your experience like, and
would you recommend it?
11. What type of personality is most likely to benefit from practicing martial arts?
12. Do you think children or adults gain more from martial arts training?
13. How do you think Elaine will react once she learns the truth about Kramer’s karate
expertise?
14. Was Jerry acting as a bad friend to Elaine, or was he simply being practical and
realistic?
15. Have you ever participated in carpooling? What was your experience?
16. Create your own question: ________________________________________
Themes of the Script
1. Responsibility and Self-Doubt: Elaine grapples with the challenge of managing a
significant project after her boss abandons it. Her self-doubt and fear of inadequacy are
central to the narrative, highlighting her struggle to accept and embrace the responsibility.
2. Inspiration and Self-Empowerment: Kramer's advice about karate and finding one's
"kata" serves as a metaphor for self-belief and empowerment. He encourages Elaine to
overcome her self-doubt by finding her inner confidence, reflecting the theme of personal
growth through self-empowerment.
3. Mentorship and Guidance: Kramer's role as a mentor, despite his unconventional
approach, underscores the theme of guidance. His attempt to inspire Elaine through his
own experiences with karate illustrates the impact of mentorship on overcoming personal
challenges.
4. Perception vs. Reality: The script plays with the discrepancy between how things appear
and their actual nature. For example, Elaine's perception of her capability versus her
actual experience is a key point, as is Kramer's exaggerated portrayal of his karate skills.
5. Challenge and Overcoming Fear: Elaine's fear of taking on a major project is a central
theme. Her apprehension about managing the catalog reflects a broader theme of
confronting and overcoming personal fears and insecurities. Kramer's story about karate
underscores the idea that facing challenges can lead to growth.
6. Contrasts in Expertise and Experience: The contrast between Kramer’s exaggerated
claims of karate prowess and his actual experience, along with Elaine’s perceived lack of
qualification versus her actual experience with the catalog, highlights themes of expertise
and experience. It reflects how perceived competence can differ from actual skills and
knowledge.
7. The Influence of Role Models: Kramer's role as an unlikely role model for Elaine shows
how people can be inspired by those who may not traditionally be seen as mentors. This
theme explores how unconventional role models can provide valuable lessons and
encouragement.