STUDYING CHARACTER IN
PLEASANTVILLE:
Betty
“WHAT’S A MOTHER TO DO?”
Betty is a fantastic character and
while we’ve briefly chatted about her,
it’s time to get to know her a bit
better..
You will be answering questions in as
much detail as you can – this is NOT
close reading!!!
The more notes you take, the easier
essays will be later.
BETTY AS A TV CHARACTER
Before David and Jennifer are
transported into Pleasantville, there is
still much to be learned about the
characters from the show itself.
Think about the episode David
watches while he is sitting on the
couch.
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Why is that episode significant?
What can be learned about Betty
from that brief glimpse into
Pleasantville?
How does Betty provide David
with some kind of solace from
real life?
“HOW ABOUT SOME
MARSHMALLOW RICE SQUARES?”
Now think about the Betty we see in
the early days in Pleasantvile (i.e.
between D&J arriving and Betty
“taking her bath”)
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What more is revealed about her
Pleasantville persona – think about
how presents herself, how she
thinks and how others treat her.
Is she still the solace David needs?
Think about the relationship each
teenager has with her. In what
ways is she a better mother for
them?
50 SHADES OF GREY (AND BLACK
AND WHITE).
Think about why Betty changes colour.
This is not just a cheap sex joke played for
laughs.
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What does “the talk” between Jennifer
and Betty reveal about women in
Pleasantville and also about women in
the 50s (although this is still partly
relevant today).
Why do you think Betty’s bath was so
important?
How does she feel afterwards?
The “putting on the make-up” scene is
both touching and upsetting. Explain
how it can be both.
A CHANGE WOULD DO YOU GOOD
Betty’s change is fantastically
dramatic.
• Explain how the director captures
Betty’s change through visual
techniques.
• Try to focus on costume and
make-up.
• Think of important moments
when we see these changes most
of all.
TO LOVE SOMEBODY…
In the TV show, Betty and George
have always been a married couple.
Viewers will not have seen them fall in
love, get married or have their children.
They simply exist as they are.
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Is theirs a real representation of a
marriage? Explain.
Think about Betty and Bill meeting
in the hallway. Then think about
Betty’s hand of cards changing.
And finally, think about why she
goes into the soda shop for the first
time. What point is the director
trying to make here and what does
it reveal about Betty?
Is this love? Justify your answer.
THINK ABOUT THE WAY BILL SEES
BETTY. COMPARE IT WITH HOW
GEORGE SEES HER.
“I HAVE TO GO NOW”
The scene where Betty leaves George
is a wonderful one.
Dissect this scene in detail,
explaining what it reveals about each
character and their relationship.
You do not necessarily have to refer
to cinematic techniques but do so if
they add to your understanding of
the scene.
BETTY’S MIRROR
Betty’s mirror forces 3 different
characters to look at the change in
themselves.
Explain how each one uses the
mirror and what we learn from these
moments.
IN THE END
Think about the version of Betty we
are left with at the end of the film.
She’s come a long way.
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Think about the trial. How does
Betty play an important part in the
trial scene?
When David leaves, Betty still
prepares him a packed lunch. Does
this mean she’s the exact same
person she was when she first came
to Pleasantville?
What does the bench scene reveal
about her current feelings about
each of the men in her life? What
do you think she will do next?
Does it matter?
BETTY’S BEST BITS
Betty makes for a great character to
write about in the exam.
Let’s go over what we’ve covered and
tidy up some loose ends:
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Which themes does Betty
represent?
Which key relationships are
essential for discussing in a Betty
essay?
Pick out 5 scenes which you think
must be used when writing this
essay.