Film as Literature
Mr. Kummerow
AWF: Chapter 2 Outline
Theme and Focus
 Novel/Plays/Poetry
o Theme = connotes an idea, point, message or a statement made by the work as
a whole.
 Film
o Theme = unifying central concern of the film, the special focus that unifies the
work
 Plot
 Emotional Effect or Mood
 Character
 Style or Texture
 Ideas
 Plot
o Adventure and Detective Stories
o Aim = provide escape from the everyday life
 Characters, ideas, and emotions are subordinate to events
 Final Outcome is all-important
o Theme is captured by a concise summary of the plot
 Emotional Effect or Mood
o Horror, Suspense thrillers, and Romance Stories
o Aim = create a highly specialized mood or emotional effect
 Each segment is a step leading to a single powerful emotional effect
 Events are subordinate to the emotional response
o Theme is stated by identifying the prevailing mood or emotional effect
 Character
o Aim = focus on a single unique character.
 Events are important b/c it helps in understanding the character
 Major appeal us is the qualities that are set apart from ordinary people
o Theme is stated by a brief description of the central character emphasizing the
unusual aspects of their personality.
 Style or Texture or Structure
o Relative small number of films
o Dominant and most memorable aspect making a stronger impact on our minds
and senses than any other thematic element
 Unique look, feel, rhythm, atmosphere, tone, or organization
 Often not commercially successful
Film as Literature
Mr. Kummerow
AWF: Chapter 2 Outline
 Ideas
o Aim = helps to clarify some aspect of life, experience, or the human condition
 To identify the central idea, accurately identify the abstract subject in a
single word or phrase.
 Action and Characters have a significance
 Ideas are presented more subtly most often.
 Indirect approach increases a varying interpretation
o Moral Implications
 Persuade us to apply the wisdom/moral principle in our own lives
o The Truth of Human Nature
 Characters are representatives of humanity.
 Illustrate widely/universally acceptable truths
o Social Problems
 Expose social vices and follies or criticize social institutions
 Define the problem
 Emphasize its importance
 Rarely spells out specific methods of reform
o The Struggle for Human Dignity
 Tensions between 2 opposing sides of human nature
 Desire to surrender to animal instincts and wallow in human
weakness, cowardice, brutality, stupidity, and sensuality.
 Struggle to stand, display courage, sensitivity, intelligence, a
spiritual and moral sense, and strong individualism.
 Internal or External
 Victory is not always achieved
o The Complexity of Human Relationships
 Problems, frustrations, pleasures, and joys of human relationships
 Love, friendship, marriage, divorce, family interactions,
sexuality.
 Some show working out problem without a clear resolution
o Coming of Age/Loss of Innocence/Growing Awareness
 Young people going through experiences that force them to become
more mature or to gain some new awareness.
 Done comically, seriously, tragically, or satirically
 Central character is different in some way at the end
 Internal or External
o A Moral or Philosophical Riddle
 Evoke a variety of subjective interpretations
 Mystify rather than clear; question rather than answer
Film as Literature
Mr. Kummerow
AWF: Chapter 2 Outline
Identifying the Theme
 Beginning and the End of film analysis
 Not likely to reveal itself easily
 Does not convey the full impact of the film but clarifies the vision and enhances
the appreciation of its thematic elements
 Films may contain motifs
o Less important areas of emphasis
o Images, patterns, or ideas that are repeated throughout the film
o Variations or aspects of the major theme
Evaluating the Theme
 Naturally consider a theme that says something significant to us
o Relevant to our own experiences
 Universality is a standard
o Universal theme
 A lasting interest that is meaningful not just to people here and
now but to all human beings in all ages
 Real and powerful characters
 Heroic struggles for human dignity
 Artistry
o Superior to films with themes limited to time and place
 Expect that a thematic idea to be intellectually or philosophically interesting
o If attempting a significant statement it should be neither boring nor selfevident, but should interest or challenge us.
Film as Literature
Mr. Kummerow
AWF: Chapter 2 Outline