APR 20: Lesson One - Hidden Figures

Introduction

Lesson Three - Hidden Figures
Duration - 7 blocks (7 x 80 min + homework)

"Genius has no race. Strength has no gender. Courage has no limit." ~ Hidden Figures tagline

In this unit, we will be studying texts in which the text creators examine characters responses to difficult situations, exploring the question, "What is revealed through characters' responses to hardship?"

The first text studied is the film, Hidden Figures, in which all of the characters face a great deal - and variety - of hardship.  What is revealed by their responses to those hardships is fascinating.

Hidden Figures is a 2016 American biographical drama film directed by TheodoreMelfi and written by Melfi and Allison Schroeder, based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly about black female mathematicians who worked at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) during the Space Race. The film stars Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Johnson, a mathematician who calculated flight trajectories for Project Mercury and other missions. The film also features Octavia Spencer as NASA supervisor Dorothy Vaughan and Janelle Monáe as NASA engineer Mary Jackson, with Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Glen Powell, and Mahershala Ali in supporting roles.

Principal photography began in March 2016 in Atlanta and was wrapped up in May 2016. Hidden Figures had a limited release on December 25, 2016, by 20th Century Fox, before going wide in the United States on January 6, 2017. The film received positive reviews from critics and grossed $236 million worldwide. It was chosen by National Board of Review as one of the top ten films of 2016 and was nominated for numerous awards, including three Oscar nominations and two Golden Globes. It also won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

Resources

Websites

The Space Race

The Cold War

Civil Rights Movement

Lesson

Browse the three websites posted on the Resources page.

Keep this historical data in mind as you watch the film, as a comprehension of the Space Race, the Cold War, and the Civil Rights Movement in the United States is vital to a complete understanding of the events in the film.

Watch the film, Hidden Figures.  It is available HERE.
The film is free for you to watch as long as you are logged into Moodle.
U: 92016
P: rockyv41

Assignment

(100 marks)

Open a new PPT. Label it E201U3L1surname 
In this document, complete the assignment as outlined below.
Submit this assignment using the Dropbox for U3L1 Hidden Figures character

You are going to complete a detailed character analysis. Choose ONE of the following characters from the while to analyze:

• Katherine Johnson
• Mary Jackson
• Dorothy Vaughan
• Mr. Harrison
• Mrs. Mitchell

Skim through the film Hidden Figures to view only the scenes in which your chosen character plays a prominent role and prepare a presentation in which you analyze characterization. Be sure to include the following elements.

1. Three carefully selected clips that shed light on motivation and personality. Look for one near the beginning, one in the middle, and one near the end. Briefly summarize each one - one slide per scene, approximately 100 words each 

2. Analysis of how the characterization evolves and deepens over the course of the film. You will be looking for two things here:

• First, how does the character change from the beginning to the end? (one slide)
• Second, how does our insight into the character shift along the way? (one slide)

3. Identification of dominant character traits, including abilities, motivation, and personality. How is each important? (one slide)

4. Describe who and what the character is, both on the job and at home. (two slides)

5. Explanation of the character’s most important relationships. Which individuals connect most intensely with the character? How would the absence of those individuals have altered the character’s choices? (two slides)

6. A description of your responses to the character and what prompted those responses. Responses can come in a myriad of forms: amusement, empathy, admiration, skepticism, criticism, disappointment, etc. (one slide)

7. An overall statement (thesis statement) in response to the question, "What is revealed through this character's responses to hardship?", followed by a paragraph discussion addressing your thesis. (one slide)

Your total number of slides for this assignment will be at least 12. You may use more than 12, but not less. Your total number of words will be at least 1000.

Conclusion

Consider what is revealed regarding responses to hardships via the following quotations: 

• Dorothy Vaughan: "Separate and equal are two different things. Just 'cause it's the way, doesn't make it right, understand?"

• Mary Jackson: "Every time we get a chance to get ahead they move the finish line. Every time."

• Katherine Johnson: "There is no bathroom. There are no colored bathrooms in this building, or any building outside the West Campus, which is half a mile away. Did you know that? I have to walk to Timbuktu just to relieve myself! And I can't use one of the handy bikes. Picture that, Mr. Harrison. My uniform, skirt below the knees and my heels. And simple string of pearls. Well, I don't own pearls. Lord knows you don't pay the colored enough to afford pearls! And I work like a dog day and night, living on coffee from a pot NONE OF YOU WANNA TOUCH! So, excuse me if I have to go to the restroom a few times a day."

• Al Harrison - "We get to the peak together, or we don't get there at all."

• Levi Jackson - "Civil rights ain't always civil."