Hey Leute,

da wir den Film im Englischunterricht auch behandeln,
dachte ich mir, ich schreib euch mal auf, was ich alles über William Forrester gefunden habe.

• born in 1930
• lives in Yew York Bronx
• he is a famous author but has published only one book
• lives in seduction in a small dilapidated house
• he never leaves his house so people bring him what he needs
• some say he killed someone, others say he's just a peeper
• Jamal breakes in Forrester's house and leaves his bag with his scripts
• he has lots of books
• initially he seems like an embittered, and very unpolite old man
• teaches Jamal how to write
• read Jamal's scripts and correct it
• got the Publizer-price
  

das ist alles, was ich bis jetzt gefunden habe.
Ich hoffe, es hilft euch.

Hallo Leute,
könntet ihr vielleicht mal posten, was ihr schon über Dr. Spence und das "entscheidende" Spiel herausgefunden habt?
Vielen Dank im Vorraus,
Lorra

Also zu den Vergleichen von "A Lesson before Dying" und "Finding Forrester":

The main focus of the comparison of "Finding Forrester" and "A Lesson Before Dying" is on the lesson which has to be learnt.

Because in the book both of the protagonists learn things from each other: Grant learns how strong Jefferson is and gets to know that the people are all counting on him but he has to admit that he is not really that strong - he can't stand it to accompany Jefferson, he is convinced not to be able to help Jefferson and the Reverend teaches him also that pure scientific knowledge is not the only thing a person needs to call itself educated. Jefferson learns to "die like a man" and to get over the names the whites are giving the blacks. Furthermore at the end he is able to even support people (e.g.: his nannan) and to be strong for other people and he realizes that admitting emotions is nothing to be ashamed of. So they both gain some kind of knowledge.

In the movie they do benefit from each other again: Jamal gets to know how to write and how to get around a conflict with Robert Crawford (?). Moreover he learns to appreciate the opportunity to visit a private school. Forrester on the other hand is able to leave his flat and to start writing again. Furthermore he also learns to appreciate the beauty of the outside world and the recognition of the people. This is what Jamal teaches him.

More points:

Similarities:

*whites do not believe that blacks are able to be intelligent (Prof. Crawford/ Sheriff)
*the city is divided (seperate schools/bars)
*blacks inherit a lower position in society
*younger people represent the hope of future desegregation (Paul Bonin, Claire Spence)
*blacks can be educated (Grant/Jamal)
*sports plays an important role (Hero Jackie Robinson or Joe Louis/ Basketball leads to social integration (Jamal))
*women are emancipated (Jamals mother is the only parent; Vivian is getting divorced)
*symbols of change: the bag( symbol for travelling, changes -> leads to aquaintance with forrester), Radio: Jefferson is developing -> opens up
*huge role of literature (when Jefferson starts writing: change; literature changes Jamals life: enables him to go to private school, getting to know forrester...)
*"food is love": Jeffersons nannan prepares food for him to show him her care; Jamals mother is also cooking for him

Differences:

*in the movie the segregation is less obvious (whites and blacks are talking to each other; some white people acknowledge Jamals talent; t´blacks and whites do sports together)
*in the movie a strong bond between a black and a white is developed
*happy end (forrester) / rather "unhappy end" (lesson)
*whites are allowed to demonstrate their superiority in the novel
*Jamal is "searching" for his lesson (visits Forrester again) and forces Forrester to come along; Grant is forced by his aunt to help Jefferson and he (Jefferson) is also unwilling to listen to Grant
*Grant might never break through the vicious circle, Jamal is on the best way
*Grant is embittered, Jamal is without expectations
*Jefferson is stubborn, Jamal is willing to learn
*religion in "a lesson" -> no very obvious religious thoughts


Can't think of more at the moment ----> confused

Characterisation Prof. Robert Crawford

Characteristics:
•ambitious
> wants to be a respected teacher and enjoy a good reputation
•embittered, resigned
> he always wanted to be a respected author but never received any recognition or praise for his work
•is having a limited view
> can’t believe that a boy from the Bronx can be that intelligent
•jealous of Jamal Wallace
> he perceives Jamal’s talent, but doesn’t trust in him
> he is not willing to support him

Relationship to other person:
•At school he is highly respected as a teacher
•He isolates himself a little, just interested in literature
> doesn’t seem to have a family neither a lot of friends
•William Forrester sees in him a good teacher but not a writer
•Crawford admires Forrester
•Is abusing his power in class
> exposing and bullying students in front of the class

Remarkable scenes:
•Prof. Crawford doubs Jamals work he handed in, while the principal tells him to trust in Jamal and wait.
> he might be jealous and doesn’t want to give Jamal a chance to show his talent.
•After bullying a classmate of Jamal, they are having a battle about famous quotations.
> is abusing his power as a teacher
> Jamal can’t show him any respect because he isn’t supporting his students
•After William Forrester reads a letter about hope and friendship, Prof. Crawford is praising him for his words. When he is told that it was written by Jamal he has nomore words to say.
>at least he has to realize that a boy of the Bronx has reached, what he has dreamed of his whole life


vllt hilft das ja weiter!

Haalooo=)

Wir haben die Frage bekommen, ob Forrester ein realistisches Bild eines Autoren wiedergibt? Habt ihr da ein paar Stichpunkte für mich?

Wäre klasse