Education of the Body Snatchers! (Due: Tuesday, February 24th)
1. When Elizabeth first comes home and talks to her husband (pre-pod), several barriers interfere with
meaningful communication between the two of them. In a paragraph, do the following:
(a) Describe these barriers.
(b) Identify the possible significance of these barriers from a story-telling and/or allegorical
perspective.
2. David Kibner suggests that the recent rash of people claiming that “he/she isn’t the same person
he/she used to be” stems from a fundamental problem with human relationships in the modern age.
What is he referring to here? What are your thoughts? Use one of the texts discussed in class to
inform your answer.
3. Observers note that the pod-version of Jack, at first, seems rather “unformed” and anonymous (lacking
in distinct features like fingerprints). What might be the allegorical function of this?
4. Some have suggested that the film is an allegory for America’s transition from the 1960s to the 1980s.
Do a little digging online and provide an explanation for this. What cultural shifts occurred? How
might the film reflect these changes in American life/culture? Based on the movie, what, in your
opinion, is director Kaufman trying to say about the issue? OR Convincingly explain how the movie
might be interpreted allegorically in the context of the education debate.
Alternative to the above questions: Write a two to three page response paper addressing the allegorical
implications of the film in the context of the education debate. If you elect to do this, be sure to allude to
various writings, opinions, ideas and videos we’ve examined in class, and comment upon their implications
in relationship to the film. Remember – it’s not about what the author/director intended; it’s about
what connections you can illustrate with your keen eye for metaphor. Watch carefully!
CATEGORY
4
3
Responses demonstrate a Responses demonstrate
1
Responses demonstrate a
limited understanding of
allegory. Limited
awareness of the movie's
content is demonstrated.
high degree of accuracy.
accuracy.
Responses demonstrate a
partial understanding of
allegory. Some awareness
of the movie's content is
demonstrated.
The metaphorical
implications of the movie
are explored in great
depth. Highly perceptive
links to in-class
readings/videos are
observed.
The metaphorical
implications of the movie
are explored. Links to inclass readings/videos are
observed.
Some metaphorical
implications of the movie
are examined. In-class
readings/videos are
mentioned.
The metaphorical
implications of the movie
receive limited exploration.
Related in-class
readings/videos are not
mentioned.
Responses contain
several errors, and
achieve some articulation
and fluency.
Responses are not fluent
or articulate, containing
many errors.
Knowledge & thorough understanding of an understanding of
allegory. Events in the
allegory. Events in the
Understanding movie are related with a
movie are related with
Thinking
2
Communication Responses are articulate, Responses are almost
fluent, sophisticated and
error-free.
error-free, and
demonstrate reasonable
articulation and fluency.