The Things They Carried
and
Pan’s Labyrinth
The setting is war. . .what is the “Story Truth”?
Pan’s Labyrinth is an award winning highly acclaimed
film by Mexican director, Guillermo del Toro. The film won an
Oscar for best screenplay and was nominated for one of the
most prestigious awards at the Cannes Film Festival. The
following synopsis from IMDB.com sets up the premise of the
film.
Synopsis
In 1944, in the post-Civil War in Spain, rebels still fight in the
mountains against the fascist troops. The young and
imaginative Ofelia travels with her pregnant and sick mother,
Carmen Vidal, to the country to meet and live with her
stepfather, the sadistic and cruel Captain Vidal, in an old mill.
[the captain is there to rid the territory of rebels]. During the
night, Ofelia meets a fairy and together they go to a pit in the
center of a maze where they meet a faun that tells that she is a
princess from a kingdom in the underground. He also tells that
her father is waiting for her, but she needs to accomplish three
gruesome, tough and dangerous assignments first. Meanwhile,
she becomes friend of the servant Mercedes, who is the sister
of one of the rebels and actually is giving support to the group.
In a dark, harsh and violent world, Ofelia lives her magical world
trying to survive her tasks and sees her father and king again.
Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Making Connections—the final paper for English iii
I have already put forth the idea that the film and the novel both suggest that innocence survives even the most brutal wars. Though
we think our innocence is shattered and irretrievable, we realize in the end that it survives. That is my thesis. Although you are
welcome to use this thesis in the final essay, EVERYONE will be required to think of and write his/her own thesis first. You will then
have a choice of using your thesis for the essay, or using mine. I will give you more guidance on writing the thesis as we go.
For your final paper for this class each of you will explore similar ideas found in the book, The Things They Carried, and the film,
Pan’s Labyrinth in a formal essay. The essay will be a “Partial Essay.” In other words, we will write a solid introduction and a few
body paragraphs. The idea here is that if you get off to a good start heading in an interesting direction, your paper will be good in the
end. The essay will be DUE on FRIDAY, June 5, 2009. Since this leaves only a few days to grade 100 papers, they will be
accepted late only for half credit. We’ve brainstormed and discussed the various themes in The Things They Carried—it is up to you
to make connections to the film. I’m open to any ideas—I just want to see that you are thinking.
While viewing this film, keep in mind the ideas Tim O’Brien explores in The Things They Carried. What similar ideas are explored in
the film? The obvious connection is the setting—war—but O’Brien stresses that his book is not about war, that war is merely the
setting. How does having war as a setting enhance both the book and the film? Keep notes as you view the film, writing down any
connections that you make. These notes will assist you in writing the paper and in our discussions.
Partial Essay Assignment Details
In a partial essay including an introduction with a TAG and THESIS, and at least TWO body paragraphs, explore the
connections between Tim O’Brien’s, The Things They Carried, and Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth. You may
choose to focus on one “big” idea or meaningful pattern if you have enough examples for an in-depth response or you can
discuss a few of the ideas explored in both the book and film. Remember, people wouldn’t necessarily put this book and
this film together. You will need to explain the connections.
I have suggested that one of the important similarities is that both the film and the novel suggest that although we believe
war destroys our innocence, actually, it survives. You are welcome to use this thesis for your paper if. However, if you
prefer the thesis you developed on your own, you are welcome to use that instead.
Requirements for Partial Essay
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Introduction with TAG and Thesis.
2 or more properly cited quotes from The Things They Carried for support of ideas
2 or more specific moments from the film discussed
3 or more intelligent questions asked that lead to a greater understanding of the film and book
Connections between the film and book are specific and fully developed
o Simple/superficial connection—there’s a little girl in the film and the book
o Complex connection—Why are there little girls in both the film and book? What do they symbolize?
Perhaps innocence. . .what are the book and film saying about innocence?