Student: Teresa Nguyen Class: English Communications
Date: Grade: 12 Teacher: Mrs De Blasio
What film techniques does Tate Taylor use to engage the viewer and present the ideas of injustice?
Director Tate Taylor, in The Help, explores, through the lives of black maids, the injustice and imprudent judgments made towards the African American community in the 1960s. Camera work, dialogue, mise-en-scenè, and colours reveal the juxtaposing lifestyles of the racial classes, and the lack of development in society’s treatment of coloured people. Sounds expose the inferiority and challenges that African Americans experienced in attempting to display basic human behaviours, whilst historical context refers to the Jim Crow laws that …show more content…
Desperate to use the toilet, but with a storm raging outside where her personal bathroom is situated, Minny sneaks to use the indoor bathroom. Noticing her suspicious behaviour, Hilly follows Minny. Here, diegetic and non-diegetic sounds are simultaneously applied, with the thunder being played amid the orchestral instrumental that continuously amplifies and softens, creating an eerie mood. As Hilly approaches the bathroom, the track gradually intensifies and overpowers the thunder, creating suspense. Arriving at the bathroom, Hilly questions Minny on her usage of the toilet and demands her to come out. Annoyed by Hilly’s prejudiced dictations, Minny flushes the toilet to provoke her. In this moment, the orchestral instrumental heightens in pitch, creating a sense of liberation wherein Minny has stood up for her rights. However, the toilet flush dominates this scene, signifying the importance of Minny’s action in defying society’s unequal inflictions. Unfortunately, her behaviour causes Hilly to fire her. As Minny leaves the house, the background music changes to that of a high pitched piano and flute ensemble that appears to reflect Minny’s resignation towards the situation and her life. Additionally, the sound of the storm is amplified, paralleling the challenges of Minny’s life as an African American. Through using diegetic and non-diegetic sounds, Taylor …show more content…
When coming to ask Aibileen to help her write a book about the life of a black citizen, Aibileen informs Skeeter that, “they set my cousin Shinelle’s car on fire just because she went down to the voting station… I do this with you, I might as well burn my own house down.” This unveils the prejudiced treatment against African Americans. The fact that they burnt down their cars for wanting to obtain basic human rights such as voting, reveals how unjust society was to the black community, and exhibits the harsh consequences inflicted on them. Attempting to reassure Aibileen, Skeeter comments, “I promise I’ll be careful,” but still terrified, Aibileen responds, “this already ain’t careful Miss Skeeter, you not knowing that is what scares me the most, scare me more than Jim Crow.” Skeeter’s response to Aibileen dislays the oblivious the white community may have been towards the impacts of their actions, and this is particularly significant, as Skeeter is one of those more compassionate towards the black citizens. It also reflects how the white community may have believed that what they were doing was morally correct and fair, irritating the viewers. Moreover, Aibileen’s reference to the Jim Crow laws, a law that demanded racial segregation in all public facilities, exemplifies the injustice towards the African Americans. Her reaction towards Skeeter’s request informs the
Date: Grade: 12 Teacher: Mrs De Blasio
What film techniques does Tate Taylor use to engage the viewer and present the ideas of injustice?
Director Tate Taylor, in The Help, explores, through the lives of black maids, the injustice and imprudent judgments made towards the African American community in the 1960s. Camera work, dialogue, mise-en-scenè, and colours reveal the juxtaposing lifestyles of the racial classes, and the lack of development in society’s treatment of coloured people. Sounds expose the inferiority and challenges that African Americans experienced in attempting to display basic human behaviours, whilst historical context refers to the Jim Crow laws that …show more content…
Desperate to use the toilet, but with a storm raging outside where her personal bathroom is situated, Minny sneaks to use the indoor bathroom. Noticing her suspicious behaviour, Hilly follows Minny. Here, diegetic and non-diegetic sounds are simultaneously applied, with the thunder being played amid the orchestral instrumental that continuously amplifies and softens, creating an eerie mood. As Hilly approaches the bathroom, the track gradually intensifies and overpowers the thunder, creating suspense. Arriving at the bathroom, Hilly questions Minny on her usage of the toilet and demands her to come out. Annoyed by Hilly’s prejudiced dictations, Minny flushes the toilet to provoke her. In this moment, the orchestral instrumental heightens in pitch, creating a sense of liberation wherein Minny has stood up for her rights. However, the toilet flush dominates this scene, signifying the importance of Minny’s action in defying society’s unequal inflictions. Unfortunately, her behaviour causes Hilly to fire her. As Minny leaves the house, the background music changes to that of a high pitched piano and flute ensemble that appears to reflect Minny’s resignation towards the situation and her life. Additionally, the sound of the storm is amplified, paralleling the challenges of Minny’s life as an African American. Through using diegetic and non-diegetic sounds, Taylor …show more content…
When coming to ask Aibileen to help her write a book about the life of a black citizen, Aibileen informs Skeeter that, “they set my cousin Shinelle’s car on fire just because she went down to the voting station… I do this with you, I might as well burn my own house down.” This unveils the prejudiced treatment against African Americans. The fact that they burnt down their cars for wanting to obtain basic human rights such as voting, reveals how unjust society was to the black community, and exhibits the harsh consequences inflicted on them. Attempting to reassure Aibileen, Skeeter comments, “I promise I’ll be careful,” but still terrified, Aibileen responds, “this already ain’t careful Miss Skeeter, you not knowing that is what scares me the most, scare me more than Jim Crow.” Skeeter’s response to Aibileen dislays the oblivious the white community may have been towards the impacts of their actions, and this is particularly significant, as Skeeter is one of those more compassionate towards the black citizens. It also reflects how the white community may have believed that what they were doing was morally correct and fair, irritating the viewers. Moreover, Aibileen’s reference to the Jim Crow laws, a law that demanded racial segregation in all public facilities, exemplifies the injustice towards the African Americans. Her reaction towards Skeeter’s request informs the