Chapter 3 Reflection Questions

1. Think of one of your favorite movies and consider: Who is the protagonist? How are you supposed to identify with him or her? Who or what is the antagonist? Is the protagonist morally good? Is the antagonist morally bad?

Star Wars

Protagonist: Luke Skywalker, this is shown due to the fact that Luke is the most powerful and most focused on in the movie and the film revolves primarily on his fight against the Sith and his inner self through his resistance against the dark side. He is also suggested to be morally good considering that he represents the light side, a very literal metaphor, and fights for the rebels against an extremely tyrannical empire.

Antagonist: Darth Vader and or Darth Sidious, the two represent the most powerful and most iconic members of the empire and dark side. The two are morally bad due to their association with the dark side and the oppressive empire.

2. Watch a familiar scene from a film and focus on everything except the main actors. How does the background contribute to what is being communicated?

Scene: Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back, Darth Vader reveals he is Luke's father

The main environment of the scene is in a massive tube that provides an ominous and empty feeling, this is further embellished with the fact that the audio in the beginning light saber duel is silent, no music is given to show the emptiness of the scenery. Furthermore, upon the moment where Luke's arm is sliced, you suddenly hear music being played, a quick, sharp, tone, to emphasize the surprise of the scene and the disparity of Luke's defeat. Finally, upon Darth Vader's reveal, the dark side theme is played, which shows the idea that Luke has a connection with the dark side and to further show the idea that the dark side has one this battle.

3. Watch a familiar scene from a film with no sound and only subtitles. How does this differ with the same scene with audio?

Scene: Same above

Obviously, it isn't the same. While it does contain some of the shock with the reveal as it did with audio, it simply is not the same without the music and Luke's audible reaction. This creates a very unnatural, boring, and stiff tone throughout the scene.