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LEARNING INTENTIONS
LEARNING INTENTIONS
To understand how texts allow us to see the world differently, challenge assumptions and ignite new ideas.
To understand how texts allow us to see the world differently, challenge assumptions and ignite new ideas.
Focus question:
Focus question:
How do texts allow us to see the world differently, challenge assumptions and ignite new ideas?
How do texts allow us to see the world differently, challenge assumptions and ignite new ideas?
Discussion and note making
Discussion and note making
List the characters in Billy Elliot whose understanding(s)/perception(s) changed as a result of the events of the film.
List the characters in Billy Elliot whose understanding(s)/perception(s) changed as a result of the events of the film.
Gender in Billy Elliot
Gender in Billy Elliot
One of Billy Elliot’s strongest themes is that society, and individuals, should not be limited by stereotypes. This includes stereotypes and assumptions of gender roles as explored by the main plot of the film. Billy’s assumptions of gender are the first to be challenged in the film and the audience can quickly see a chance in the protagonist’s attitude. Jackie also experiences a change in attitude towards gender, although his change does not come as easily.
Write
Write
Based on your understanding of the context of the film, describe the expected gender roles in 1984 Durham?
Based on your understanding of the context of the film, describe the expected gender roles in 1984 Durham?
The film was released in the year 2000. How do you think the intended audience for the film would have reacted to the characters’ attitudes towards gender roles? Explain your answer.
The film was released in the year 2000. How do you think the intended audience for the film would have reacted to the characters’ attitudes towards gender roles? Explain your answer.
Think- pair- share activity
Think- pair- share activity
Brainstorm moments in the film that explore or challenge traditional ideas of gender. Pool answers to create a class generated list of moments.
Brainstorm moments in the film that explore or challenge traditional ideas of gender. Pool answers to create a class generated list of moments.
Scene analysis: A Disgrace in the Gloves (6:40-8:25)
Scene analysis: A Disgrace in the Gloves (6:40-8:25)
This scene highlights the societal expectations concerning gender roles. Re-watch the scene and deconstruct key techniques.
This scene highlights the societal expectations concerning gender roles. Re-watch the scene and deconstruct key techniques.
Write
Write
1. Describe how Billy feels about boxing. How does the scene establish this attitude?
1. Describe how Billy feels about boxing. How does the scene establish this attitude?
2. What does this scene reveal about Jackie’s aspirations for Billy?
2. What does this scene reveal about Jackie’s aspirations for Billy?
3. At the beginning of the scene, a long shot shows Billy talking to his best friend Michael out the front of the boxing studio. Michael makes a comment that Billy’s old gloves “should have gone out with the ark”. What can we infer from this statement?
3. At the beginning of the scene, a long shot shows Billy talking to his best friend Michael out the front of the boxing studio. Michael makes a comment that Billy’s old gloves “should have gone out with the ark”. What can we infer from this statement?
4. How does this scene help establish the cultural expectations concerning gender?
4. How does this scene help establish the cultural expectations concerning gender?
5. As an individual living in the 21st century, how do you feel about the social pressures Billy is put under?
5. As an individual living in the 21st century, how do you feel about the social pressures Billy is put under?
Scene analysis: To be a Dancer (14:45-15:20)
Scene analysis: To be a Dancer (14:45-15:20)
In this scene, Billy’s position on gender roles is revealed, and the audience cannot help but feel that Billy’s opinions reflect society's expectations about how males and females should act rather than his own personal thoughts.
Re-watch the scene and deconstruct key techniques.
Re-watch the scene and deconstruct key techniques.
Write
Write
What does Debbie and Billy’s conversation reveal about Billy’s position regarding gender?
What does Debbie and Billy’s conversation reveal about Billy’s position regarding gender?
What part of the dialogue supports the concept that gender is more than the difference between male and female?
What part of the dialogue supports the concept that gender is more than the difference between male and female?
Consider the various posters seen throughout the tracking shot of Debbie and Billy’s conversation and the mise-en-scene at 15:11. What do these posters, and particularly the Servis washing machine advertisement, suggest about the society’s gender assumptions?
Consider the various posters seen throughout the tracking shot of Debbie and Billy’s conversation and the mise-en-scene at 15:11. What do these posters, and particularly the Servis washing machine advertisement, suggest about the society’s gender assumptions?
Scene analysis: Dad Finds Out (26:57-29:12)
Scene analysis: Dad Finds Out (26:57-29:12)
This scene not only demonstrates Billy’s change in attitude towards gender roles, but also highlights Jackie’s seemingly embedded attitudes.
Re-watch the scene and deconstruct key techniques.
Re-watch the scene and deconstruct key techniques.
Write
Write
Construct a table with two columns. One titled ‘Billy’ and the other ‘Jackie’. As you re-watch the scene, identify the dialogue that highlights each characters beliefs about gender roles.
Construct a table with two columns. One titled ‘Billy’ and the other ‘Jackie’. As you re-watch the scene, identify the dialogue that highlights each characters beliefs about gender roles.
How do the mid-shots and editing used in the scene help accentuate these attitudes?
How do the mid-shots and editing used in the scene help accentuate these attitudes?
What is Grandma’s role in this scene? Why is it important that she once wanted to be a ballet dancer too?
What is Grandma’s role in this scene? Why is it important that she once wanted to be a ballet dancer too?
How has Billy’s attitude towards gender changed from the beginning scenes of the film? Why is this change significant?
How has Billy’s attitude towards gender changed from the beginning scenes of the film? Why is this change significant?
Scene analysis: Dad’s Decision (1:08:40- 1:10:40)
Scene analysis: Dad’s Decision (1:08:40- 1:10:40)
This scene is paramount for the development of Jackie’s character. Here, we see Jackie not only accepting his son’s decision to dance, but also making personal sacrifices to support Billy.
Re-watch the scene and deconstruct key techniques.
Re-watch the scene and deconstruct key techniques.
Write
Write
1. What new realisations has Jackie come to in this scene?
1. What new realisations has Jackie come to in this scene?
2. Explain why this scene is pivotal in the development of Jackie’s character.
2. Explain why this scene is pivotal in the development of Jackie’s character.
3. Jackie’s assumptions about gender roles in society are challenged, and ultimately changed, by the events of the film. How does this transformation reinforce the idea that texts allow us to see the world differently?
3. Jackie’s assumptions about gender roles in society are challenged, and ultimately changed, by the events of the film. How does this transformation reinforce the idea that texts allow us to see the world differently?
PEEL paragraph
PEEL paragraph
How do texts allow us to see the world differently, challenge assumptions and ignite new ideas?
How do texts allow us to see the world differently, challenge assumptions and ignite new ideas?
Gender
Gender
Gender is at the center of Billy's problems, even though he sees no issue with his interest in ballet. In the town where he is from, boxing is for boys and ballet for girls, yet Billy's deep love for dance draws him towards ballet nonetheless. At first, he himself is confused about whether his interest in ballet belies some kind of effeminacy, but soon learns that male ballet dancers are some of the most athletic men in the world, which reassures him.
Even though it doesn't take Billy long to learn that ballet doesn't make him less of a man, it takes his brother and father awhile longer to catch up to him. They are convinced that ballet is for women and gay men, and their bigoted attitudes prevent them from seeing Billy's immense talent. Their perceptions of gender prevent them from accepting what is right before their eyes.
Additionally, Billy's best friend Michael is coming to terms with being gay, experimenting with cross-dressing and his own effeminacy. While Billy's discipline of choice, ballet, marks him as subverting gender expectations, Michael grapples with the fact that he isn't like other boys in key ways. Billy, an ever-sympathetic protagonist, accepts Michael and encourages his friend's effeminacy, bringing him up to the gymnasium after hours and putting him in a tutu.
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