IPR Movie Stand By Me

Plot:

There are some differences in the plot of the book and the plot and timeline of the movie. For instance, some parts of the story’s timeline are different. Conversations between Chris and Gordie about writing are taken place at different times in the movie. The milk money incident and the story about Lardass are in different places as well. In the movie, after the journey is over it goes straight to Gordie as an adult, but in the book there are more events that occur after the journey. The book describes what happen when the boys go back to their homes; also, the book tells about an incident between Gordie and Ace. Afterwards, Gordie doesn’t turn him in. All of these instances are relevant and contribute to either the movie or the book.

Point of View:

The book is told by Gordie alone, so the point of view is totally different from the movie. The movie has more dialogue then the book. If the movie was told just like the book, the movie would be boring and uninteresting. In the movie, we are able to fully feel the boys' emotions as they happen. For example Tebby in the movie cries after his mentally disabled father is made fun of.  If someone reads just the first two pages of the novel they can tell there is little dialogue, and that Gordie tells most of the story. The more emotions in a piece of work the better it is, which is why the movie could be considered more in depth.

Characterization:

Instead of the short story Stud City being in the movie, two flashbacks are added. Gordie has to deal with the thought of his brother being killed throughout both the movie and book. However, the flashbacks added in the movie show a difference in the relationship between Gordie and Denny. One of the scenes that is added is Gordie remembering his brother Denny giving him a baseball cap from his brother, which means a lot to Denny. A scene of a family dinner is also added. Gordie is basically ignored by his father and mother, and all of the attention is on Denny. It shows the viewer that Gordie is constantly ignored from his parents, and he isn’t important to them. In addition to the scenes that are added, the movie emphasizes Gordie and Denny’s relationship. They are extremely close in the movie, but in the book it’s not the same.

Setting:

The setting in the movie was extremely similar to the book. The movie producers did a great job of matching the two. However, there is one little difference of the two, and that is the movie is in Oregon, while the book is in Maine. The tree house, the train tracks, and the outdoors are the same in both. The reader or viewer can read and see the setting as a small town, and then the great outdoors. With that being said, there are no major differences from the two in the setting aspect.

Theme:

The movie theme and the book theme are the same throughout both pieces of work. Friendship is everything and the most important thing. In both the movie and book, the four boys are always comforting each other and protecting each other. The most noticeable example of this is Chris always looking after Gordie. Gordie’s writing career is brought up on several occasions. In each of the occasions, Chris encourages Gordie and says that he will be a great writer. Today, just like in the past, friends are everything. They are someone to bond with, talk with, and someone who has your back. Chris and Gordie are the best example for these traits, which can be seen in both the movie and book.  

Short Story Blog 1 The Body by Stephen King

Plot:

The main characters of this short story consist of four childhood friends. Their names are Gordon Lachance, Chris Chambers, Teddy Duchamp, and Vern Tessio. They have always been friends, and they decide to go on an adventure to find a dead body. Throughout their travels, the boys encounter challenges, such as the outdoors, leeches, gangs, and even problems within themselves. They not only survive these challenges but become closer friends. Gordon reflects on the experience saying, “And you may make revelations that cost you dearly only to have people look at you in a funny way, not understanding what you’ve said at all, or why you thought it was so important that you almost cried while you were saying it” (P.293). Gordon is actually the writer within the story retelling what he and his childhood friends went through. The story was a highlight of his life, and all of his friends later on died as young adults. 

Point of View:

“I was twelve going on thirteen when I first saw a dead human being. It happened in 1960, a long time ago… although sometimes it doesn’t seem that long to me” (P.293). The point of view is told by the older, wiser Gordon. He is retelling a story from his childhood. He is the smartest on of the group of friends, and he is the only one with a legitimate shot in life. The whole story is told in his point of view. The downside to this is that we can only see the adventure and lives of the young men from his prospective. All his friends have drunks as parents or brothers in gangs. All these events may have been normal to them. Gordon tells it though, and him doing so means that it was an important time of his life.  

Characterization:

Gordon or Gordie is the main character of the story and he is also the one telling the story. Out of all his friends he is the one who seems to have a future. “When I read the news item- STUDENT FATALLY STABBED IN PORTLAND RESTAURANT- I told my wife I was going out for a milk-shake. I drove out of town, parked, and cried for him” (P.435). He is talking about his friend Chris. Chris lived the longest besides Gordie. Chris’s father was a drunk, his brothers were all criminals, and no one even Chris thought he would have a good life. Chris actually was able to get into college and may have made someone of himself. Even though he had nothing going for him he was able to get out of his troubled life until he was stabbed. All of the boys have it rough and you can see that at the end of the story each is killed, with the exception Gordie.

Setting:

“We had a treehouse in a big elm which overhung a vacant lot in Castle Rock” (P.293). The four boys did all of their so called bonding time in their tree house. It was made out of scraps and wasn’t the nicest place. Even though the tree house wasn’t the nicest place, they all still hung out there. They usually played blackjack and other card games, hustling money out of other kids. Every group of friends when they are growing up has that one place they go to just to hang out. They may go to a specific friend’s basement, a mall, or anywhere they can just be themselves. The boys' tree house is that place for them. They didn’t have to worry about anything when it was just them hanging out in their own little house.

Theme:

The theme of the short story by Steven King is that no matter how rough life is and no matter how hard challenges are, friends can help you get though anything. “Chris proposed we keep a guard and everyone was agreeable to that. We flipped for watches and Vern sat up cross-legged by the husk of the camp fire while the rest of us lay down again. We huddled together like sheep” (P.390). Gordie is talking about how the boys had to protect each other from cold, and the dangers of wildlife. They are always there for each other. Through out their childhoods they have to deal with drunk or mentally unstable parents, or brothers that are criminals or in gangs. Just like typical best friends, they stick up for each other and would do anything for each other. The necessity of best friends is a major theme throughout the short story, and the narrator's retelling of his childhood adventure proves this point.

Sonnet 130

In Sonnet 130 by William Shakespeare people can learn lessons from his writing even though it may be boring. The sonnet explains “my mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips’ red… If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head… Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.”  Even with all the problems of the women the man who is describing her still loves her. The mans actions can teach a lesson, that a person should not judge another by their physical looks. The saying don’t judge a book by its cover is a perfect phrase to learn the meaning. The saying has been used in many different occasions. There are more important things than just looks. The man, even though it may not have directly said it, obviously finds something in the woman that doesn’t have something to do with her physical traits.

The message that Shakespeare is trying to say is don’t judge a book by its cover. He is correct by portraying this. Just like in Batman Bruce Wayne seems to be a stuck up rich man who only cares about himself. For those who have seen the movie they know that this is not true. He actually risks his own life so that his city can safe from criminals. A person’s personality and decisions are more important than their actions. In the new movie Avatar the main character seems to be for the human race even though they are going to try to harm the Pandora populations of creatures. The main character however has a change in heart where he risks his own life so that he may protect Pandora even though he is a man. People everyday have to decide between judging a person on looks or on personality. Hopefully they make the correct decision a look for the inner part of a person.  

Who are my Heros

Literary Hero:  An example of a literary hero is Bruce Wayne or batman. He continusly protects his city from crime. He is a hardworking, trustworthy, and loyal. An event that can support this is the Joker. He has to fight the Joker and prevent the city from falling to him. Without Bruce the city would have fallin corrupt.

Personal Hero: An example of a personal hero of mine is Art King. Art is my grandfather. He had always put others before himself and tried to make sure that everyone was happy. He wasnt strong, rich, or perfect but he was the hardest worker I have ever known. He preformed his great workers in little ways for instance he would always take someone out on their birthday and do what ever they want. I may not seem like much but it went a long way. He never took credit for what he did which is a key part of why he is my hero.

Popular Hero: A popular hero is Michael Jordan. He is said to be the great basketball player ever. He was a hardworker and a great teammate. He was loyal to his team and would go to great lengths so that his team may win. He was also a type of person you look for when you need something done. He has made more game winning shots than any one else just like on Noverber 11th, 1984 he made a twelve footer with four seconds left to beat the Indiana Pacers 118-116. He was a clutch player which is why is considered a hero.