Making Videos More Meaningful: Finding a Better Alternative for Some of the Most Frequently Read Texts

Whether in the English classroom or a librarian’s book club, I think it might be the go-to activity after reading a book: watch the movie after reading the book. Unfortunately, this really isn’t the best way to facilitate discussion. If the movie is virtually the exact same as the literature, students don’t have as rich of a conversation because there are no new themes, characterization, or plot development. If a librarian or teacher chooses films that have similar themes but different plots or plots that have been transported to a different time era, students can make more interesting and thoughtful connections. Here are some discussion question examples I’ve created for The Great Gatsby, Taming of the Shrew, and Hamlet when paired with less obvious film choices.

The Great Gatsby and Chicago

Instead of watching Robert Redford (even if it is a great film), Chicago could be a great introduction to the time period and themes of the novel.

1. How could the song “All That Jazz” be representative of America in the 20’s?
2. Describe the differences between the words of the song about Billy and his true character. How does the film show this? Where do we see this kind of duplicity in The Great Gatsby?
3. Describe Roxie’s back story. How does she change herself? Why? Explain how someone had a parallel experience in The Great Gatsby.
4. Why do they blame “liquor and jazz” for Roxie’s crime? What does this tell us about the 20’s? Are these problems in The Great Gatsby? Why or why not?
5. How does fashion play a role in both this book and film?
6. Describe common themes in both the book and film. How do they translate from the different forms of media?

Taming of the Shrew and Ten Things I Hate About You

Ten Things I Hate About You was inspired by this complicated Shakespearian play. Watching this film can make the identity switching and complicated interwoven plots much more manageable for students.

1. Describe how the following ideas are in both the film and play: Padua, Verona, Stratford, and the works’ titles.
2. What commentary could this movie be making about teen social classes? How does this connect to Taming of the Shrew? (Hint: Are all the characters in the same economic class? Are they treated differently because of this?)
3. Do the movie and play have different ideas about gender roles? Explain.
4. Discuss the theme of sibling rivalry in both the play and movie.
5. Bianca appears to be a dynamic character in both the play and the movie. Does she change in the same way in both? Explain.
6. Connect the following movie characters to who they connect to in the play: Kat, Walter, Bianca, Patrick, Cameron, Joey, and Michael. How are they similar and different?
7. How does the modern setting of the movie change the story and characters?
8. How is watching a film different from reading/watching a play?

Hamlet and Lion King

Although created for very different audiences, these two texts have similar themes and characters.

1. Explain how the theme of revenge plays out in both the play and the movie.
2. Explain how the theme of hesitation plays out in both the play and the movie.
3. Explain how the theme of family conflict plays out in both the play and the movie.
4. Explain how the theme of power plays out in both the play and the movie.
5. Explain how the theme of responsibility plays out in both the play and the movie.
6. How does the very adult-centric play translate to a children’s film?
7. Describe the connections between the major characters of the play and film.
8. How is watching a film different from reading/watching a play?