Creed's Long Shot

Pleasantville

Yesterday in class, we watched the 1998 film, Pleasantville. Though not technically a dystopia, the film is more a rejection of a utopia, and in particular, the overly perfect and fake world of 1950's American TV sitcoms.

In simplest terms, a world of predictability and sameness is far from perfect; moreover, it's just not human.

The film's use of color and symbolism is also notable.

Blog Post Assignment

Directions: Select any of the following prompts and compose a thoughtful response. You may also choose to focus on a topic of your own creation. Make sure you have a main idea if you choose this option.

Support your analysis with specific references to the film, and, if possible, analyze the film's many illusions to the Bible, television, and other films.

• Television – What role does television play in society? How can it be harmful? How do we construct our values from TV?  What impact does it have in the film?

• Innocence – Does Pleasantville represent a place of innocence without evil, or is it hell?  Explain.

• Technology – Technology will destroy or save us. Which statement is correct?

• Book Burning – Is there a time when censorship should be allowed? How does this conflict with creativity?

• Individuality – Is it better to be an individual or part of a group? Relate to film.

• High School Sports – Some say sports help people learn teamwork and responsibility. Others say sports enforce conformity and destroy independence. Which is correct?

• Acceptance Of Change – How does Pleasantville depict change over time?  Good, Bad, indifferent? Is change the only permanent thing? Explain.

• Intolerance – Discuss examples of intolerance in American society.  How does Pleasantville relate?

• Utopia/Dystopia – Is it possible for humans to create a utopia? Why or why not? Explain.

• Free Will – What does Pleasantville say about free will?  Do the people have free choices, or are they determined?

• The "Apple"/Knowledge – Sex, information, art, love, loneliness—are these forces liberating or corrosive? Explain.

• Color – What does Pleasantville say about color?  What do the "colored" people represent?

Your analysis must be at least 500 words in length.
Completed responses must be uploaded to Google Classroom by midnight this Friday (12/4).