Texts in Time - Essay Questions and Advice

Gents,

I would like you to tackle both of these essay questions - 800-1000 words max.

1. In what ways does a comparative study accentuate the distinctive contexts of Frankenstein and Blade Runner?

This is what the markers' summary was in response to the HSC answers they read:

In better responses, candidates considered how a comparative study highlighted composers’ contexts. They produced a sustained response, developing a thesis that genuinely addressed the question using a discerning selection of textual references.

In weaker responses, candidates tended to identify some similarities or differences between the texts, often with a limited understanding of their significance. They considered the comparison of texts in a superficial or generalised way. Treatment of context was not integrated into the discussion and was frequently a reference to the time of composition rather than an understanding of how context is reflected in the construction and reception of texts. They often relied on a few basic or inappropriate references to texts.

...

2. Analyse how Frankenstein and Blade Runner imaginatively portray individuals who challenge the established values of their times.


This is what the markers' summary was in response to the HSC answers they read:

In better responses, candidates considered the key notion of individuals challenging established values and produced a shaped response that developed and sustained a thesis which genuinely addressed the question and which used a discerning selection of textual references.

In weaker responses, candidates tended to identify some similarities between these texts, often with a limited understanding of the significance of these similarities. They often considered the key concept of established values of their time in a superficial or generalised way or ignored it. Treatment of context was not integrated into the discussion and was frequently a reference to the time of composition rather than an understanding of how context is reflected in the construction and reception of texts. They often relied on a few basic or inappropriate references to texts.

...

It should be obvious to you all by now that you have some wonderful resource notes that delve into both texts. There is more than enough information at your disposal to be able to tackle both these questions.

A reminding word of advice - remember what I said about 'understanding' and 'planning' your answers. This unit - as all HSC units do - reward those who know what they're going to say before they say it. Don't just write an introduction before you know what's going in your body. Plan your body, then write an introduction accordingly. It is the only way to ensure that you answer the question that has been asked of you.

You have done well engaging with this unit - the next step is to ensure that you write, correct, write, correct.

The task is distributed on Thursday 7th. That is one week from today. Your dedication to this task will reflect your mark. A well-delivered speech is a thing of beauty and will be rewarded. A poorly-delivered speech is awkward and shall be marked accordingly.

Remember, there are four things to remember when delivering your speech:

1. Posture - ensure your weight is equal on both feet and your legs are straight - don't slouch or sink into your waist. It suggests a casual blase attitude and you sure don't want your marker thinking you don't care.
2. Hand gestures - while they don't need to be over-the-top, they need to suggest you are trying to get the other boys to agree with your points of view.
3. Vocal projection - far too many boys speak too quickly and too softly. These will kill your speech in the water. Slow down, enunciate your words - get your point across. A shorter speech is better - trying to hammer through while ignoring your audience will show your marker you haven't changed your task delivery method; you're simply reading an essay - this is not public speaking.
4. EYE CONTACT - Why is this in caps? I think you all know the answer to that! Know your first 20 seconds off-by-heart, then read the criteria - "refer to, but don't rely on, your notes". Simple glances up are a necessity - knowing the last six words of each sentence will get your eye-contact where it needs to be! If you know it all verbatim and don't need notes, well, that's the upper echelon of marks.

Good luck - I'm here if you need me!

M

Bladerunner Info

To be able to write about Bladerunner, you obviously need to understand a little more about the context of Ridley Scott's film.

Due to the fact the 1980s weren't so long ago, sometimes it can be difficult to really understand the historical context of the period. To unpack the 19th Century is a lot easier as there is a wide scope of people - including historians - who have written about it. Thus, we are able to research, analyse and write about the times of Mary Shelley.

However, when it comes time to delve into the 1980s, the task isn't always so easy.

I've attached below a few paragraphs that will summarise what was going on at the time in the hope it may not only show you the time period in a clearer light, but will also show you how you can compare these ideas to Shelley's Frankenstein.

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Historical Context

The 1980s were typified by social unrest and disillusionment. Long established social practices and economic values were being challenged by aggressive advertising and marketing. This was brought about - among other things - by technological advancement, which made it much cheaper, easier and quicker to mass-produce items, especially in Asia. This lead to an increase in Asian-focused xenophobia as, in a relatively short period of time, the world became rather dependent upon the Asian workforce. The already heavily-populated countries - such as China and Japan - are represented in Bladerunner as being the overtly dominant races in the film. More than 2/3 of the extras for the film were Asian.

Then the world voiced their grouped concern on the world as it was becoming heavily polluted. Commercial exploitation, industrialisation, urbanisation and the excessive use of fossil fuels were the major concerns.

Science Fiction

You must know that Bladerunner mixes science fiction, detective fiction, film noir and the epic genres. The most prevalent two must be science fiction and film noir.

• Science fiction questions what it is to be human
• Advertising and mass-media dominate the landscape; this strange introduction from Scott flies in the face of the typical science fiction film, yet seems to work very well in conjunction with the film noir genre, made famous when French critics were describing Hollywood films of the 1980s

Film noir / Neo-noir

• An acid-rain infested, decaying world with an overarching atmosphere of impending danger
• Film noir (apart from being a film technique) is also view on humanity. As such, it presents a nihilistic opinion on the world, where morals, ethics and religious principles are ignored with the basic underlying notion that life is meaningless.
• Chiaroscuro lighting techniques and the discorded mis-en-scene compositions depict a dehumanising environment marked by human anonymity and vulnerability.

As Susan Doll and Greg Faller assert, "in film noir, the site of morality IS the protagonist, the lone detective" BUT in "science fiction, society as a whole questions its assumptions of morality".

I'll post some more information on the setting of the film and how it relates to the context later today, along with some notable information about characters in the film.

M

Texts In Time

And it's time...

The ultimate unit for your HSC.

Labelled 'Texts In Time', this unit looks at the novel 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley and the film 'Bladerunner' by Ridley Scott.

When initially studied there appears to be very little between the texts, yet upon closer inspection there are finite similarities in both their contextual history and their themes. It is imperative that you understand both elements. 

The novel was written in the early 19th Century while the film was released in 1982.

For starters, take a look here...

http://nebo-lit.com/film/Blade%20Runner/Blade-Runner-Context.html

Speak soon...