Big Fish

Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions written by Daniel Wallace

Directed by Tim Burton

UNIT OVERVIEW

4.23/4.24 Writing Prompt: Why do people tell stories? Watch video. Overview of assignment. Begin watching move/answering questions.

4.24/4.25 Continue watching movie/turn in notes

4.29/4.30 Writing activities - Storyboard Big Fish. Sporcle: play games for ideas.

5.1- Research and plan your story: prewrite, drafting, peer edit, revision and submission. Seniors will complete this assignment.

5.6- 5.10 Juniors: writing. Due date is Thursday, May 9.

Synopsis of the Plot

This film follows the incredible life of Edward Bloom. Through a series of flashbacks, it is evident that Bloom has always been a man of big appetites, enormous passions and tall tales. In his later years, he remains a huge mystery to his son, William. Now, Edward is dying of cancer, and Will hasn’t spoken to him for years because he believes him to be a liar that never really cared for his family. As Edward’s story unfolds once again, Will tries to learn about his father by piecing together the elaborate tall-tale stories he has gathered over the years. Through these beautiful, creative, and mythical tales, Will finally begins to understand his father’s greatest feats and great failings.

Application of Narrative Model and Narrative Patterns

Todorov’s Model of Equilibrium and Disequilibrium follows a pattern in which the normal workings of a story world are disrupted by some element. This disturbance creates disequilibrium which the character attempts to resolve so that s/he can restore equilibrium (Pace). This pattern usually begins with a “normal” state as the story opens. Then, to create an actual story, disequilibrium is created, causing a quest for restoration of equilibrium.

The film Big Fish, adheres to Todorov’s Model, but is not directly laid out as in other films because the story starts out in disequilibrium. Will is frustrated with his father and his ridiculous, lying stories. As the story opens, the viewers see the conflict between father and son. Once the flashbacks begin, we see Will as a young boy completely engrossed in his father’s magical stories. Their relationship is close and Will believes the stories and sees his father as a great man. This is the actual initial state of equilibrium, even though it is not portrayed in the beginning of the story, but throughout. As the story comes to an end, Will reaches a new state of equilibrium when he finally sees the truth of who his father is and allows himself to believe in his magical tales.

Although Todorov’s model is not portrayed in its exact pattern in Big Fish, it is still present in the film. After teaching the pattern, students can be challenged to find Todorov’s pattern within the film.

Folklore definitions.

Folktale: A story or legend forming part of an oral tradition.

Example: Connecticut Yankee

Tall Tale: An extravagant, fanciful or greatly exaggerated story. Usually focuses on the achievements of the ultimate hero.

Example: Pecos Bill rides a Tornado

Myths: Traditional, typically ancient stories dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that serves as a fundamental type in the worldview of a people. The purpose of myths is to account for the origins of something, explain aspects of the natural world or delineate the psychology, customs, or ideals of society.

Example: Coyote and the Columbia

Legends: A traditional tale handed down from earlier times and believed to have an historical basis.

Example: Jesse James and the Widow

Urban Legends: Apocryphal stories involving rather fantastic contemporary incidents which have a tantalizing bit of plausibility to them. Urban legends contain many folkloric elements and are disseminated through mass media.

Example: The Dance

Fable: A short narrative making a moral point. Often employs animals with human characteristics (powers of speech, etc.) as the main characters of the story. Example: The Tar Baby

Fairy tale: A fanciful tale of legendary deeds and creatures, usually intended for children. Example: Rapunzel

Folklore Album by Taylor Swift

Influenced by the isolation of quarantine, Swift explores themes of escapism, empathy, nostalgia and romanticism in the album, using a set of characters, fictional narratives, and story arcs, in contrast to the autobiographical tone of her previous projects. The title was inspired by the lasting legacy of folk songs, whereas its visual aesthetic reflects cottagecore.

FolkLore via the History Channel

Click on this link to research.

Vampires

Witches

Atlantis

Bermuda Triangle

Vampire

Zombies

Loch Ness Monster

and more

Criteria for Success: Original Folktale

The Process

Research different folk tales/read the provided story links above/research topics/research folklore.
What do YOU think is important in a folk tale?
What makes it a good story?

Pair share: identify elements of a good folktale and list them on a large poster.

Compare your list to the required elements below.

Uses details and emotion
Has a strong message
Gives new knowledge, or different or exciting topics
Shows drama or challenges
Includes unreal or magic things (lots of imagination
Is clearly written
Has a message that relates to or connects with real life

Brainstorm & Drafting

Free-write for about five to seven minutes, brainstorming stories they heard as a child—from parents, grandparents, friends, neighbors.

For homework, write a draft of a folktale or family story, trying to incorporate the elements they identified. If you are struggling to think of a story, ask family members or visit elders in the community.

The only restriction is NO internet (Google Searches, AI, ChatGPT, etc)

The first draft of the story should be at least one, full typed page (double-spaced), but it can be longer. This is a first draft—they should not be concerned about spelling and grammar—the goal is to get the content (plot, characters, setting) down on paper. They will do multiple revisions.

Peer Review

In groups of three, students first share the origin of their folktales. Who told it them? How did they learn it?

Next, each author reads his or her folktale while the other two students read along and mark passages. They should note parts which they really like, areas where they have questions or are confused, and anywhere they would like more information or detail. Remind them to keep “Austin’s Butterfly” in mind.

In their discussion, they should consider the following questions

1) Does the story include the exposition?

2) Is there drama or conflict?

3) Are the characters well developed?

4) Is there a resolution?

5) Are there other elements of a strong folktale?

Each author will take notes. Let them know that they will include their notes with their next revision.

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