Field+of+Dreams,+Corie+Hahn

Corie Hahn August 21, 2009 Film As Literature 11G

Thematic Elements Viewing Questions

Directions: Please answer these questions after watching each film in the thematic unit. Please post your answers on your personal wiki page and bring in a hard copy to class after we finish each film.

Film Facts:

List the main characters and write a short description about each one.

Ray Kinsella is a farmer who is determined to follow the whispers that he hears in the fields. Throughout the plot, he continues to strive to know what happens if he builds his baseball field. Although he claims that it is crazy to think so, since some people cannot see the baseball players, he continues to have faith in himself and the whispers and at the end of the story, Ray finally achieves his dream.

Annie Kinsella is the wife of Ray Kinsella. She is a kind hearted woman who is very supportive of her husband. Although at first, she was skeptical about him building the baseball field, she helped her husband continue to build the baseball field and help him in his dream.

Shoeless Joe Jackson is also one of the main characters of the film because he helps Ray help find his father when he is building the baseball field. Although he does not talk much throughout the film, he makes the journey a lot easier for Ray.

What is the central conflict?

The central conflict in the film is that once Ray Kinsella hears the whispers in the corn field, he is determined to find out what they are talking about. For example, when he hears the first whispers, “If you build it, he will come.”, he is so determined to find out what it means that he actually does build a baseball field even though it would be detrimental to his finances. Throughout this process, he meets more people like Terrence Mann and a bunch of ghosts from the past.

Describe the setting (both time and place) of the film.

The setting of the film is set in Iowa and in the early 1900’s. (The movie came out in the 1980’s.)

What is the general mood of the film? Be detailed!

The general mood of the film is very dream-like and has a very peaceful mood which helps the plot move forth. For example, the music in the film is not very dramatic, instead, it is very flowing and graceful. It is quite often appealing to the audience because the scenery is so beautiful. After the introduction of the film, it gave off the impression that it was going to be set in the country or rural side because of the sunsets and nature. Overall, it gave a efficient impression that it was very dream-like and graceful to the story.

Briefly summarize the plot.

Ray Kinsella, after hearing the whispers in his corn field, is determined to find out what they mean. Throughout the process, he meets new people such as Terrence and other ghosts from the past, to track down what the whispers mean. Although it would harm his finances, he still continues to strive to fulfill his and soon to be known, father’s baseball fantasy.

From whose point of view is the story told?

The point of view that the story is being told is first person.

What was the structure of the film?

The structure of the film did not have many flash backs, but instead, it would transition quite well to make the plot flow better. Also, the structure of the film emphasized the dream like fantasies of baseball that he and his father had.

Theme and Focus: What is the film’s primary focus: plot, mood, character, style, or ideas? Answer one of these questions:

Character: The character I’m going to focus is Ray Kinsella. He’s the main character of the movie and he is very important because the audience can learn a lot from him. For example, he taught me to strive better and even though the people around you think you are crazy or you cannot do something, you should still follow your dreams. By the end of the movie, without giving up, and with consistent trials throughout Ray’s process, he made his baseball fantasy dreams true for his father. This type of character, overall, is something to strive for in my life.

Identifying the Theme: What was the primary aim of the film? Give reasons.

The primary aim of the film is to make the audience realize that even though the people around you think you are crazy or you can not follow through your dreams, you should still be able to follow it. It develops a very emotional element because it makes you think outside the box and explore the human relationships between his father and himself. I think the scene where he asked his father to catch ball with him really showed how he had ‘eased’ his fathers’ pain by creating the baseball field. Also, the main theme of the movie is the whisper Ray Kinsella hears in the beginning of the film: “If you build it, he will come.”

Which items could be secondary aims? Explain your answer.

The items which could be a secondary aim is that by the end of the story, Ray and his father develop a much better relationship. Although it leaves a mystery at the end, I believe that Ray can make his father come back to life because he built the baseball field. Furthermore, another item which could be a secondary aim is to teach people the importance of family and following your dreams.

Evaluating the Theme:

Is the film’s basic appeal to the intellect, to the funny bone, to the moral sense, or the aesthetic sense? Is it aimed at the erotic sense, the viscera (blood and guts), the heart, the yellow streak down the back, or simply the eyes? Support with evidence from the film.

The film’s basic appeal is to bring out a moral sense. For example, when the scenes transition and when the director of the movie brings out different characters, it all makes sense in the end. I think the movie was aim to teach the audience a moral lesson because by the end of the movie, you learn a lot more about what the characters’ motives were and what the valuable lesson is.

How well does your statement of the film’s theme and focus stand up after you have thoroughly analyzed all the elements of the film?

My statement about the film’s theme and focus has not changed, so after I have thoroughly analyzed all the elements of the film, I still believe strongly in my statement.

To what degree is the film’s theme universal?

I think the degree to which the film’s theme is universal is that you should always chase your goals and dreams. It is very important for people to stop their dreams when people are doubtful about them, however, Ray continued to work and strive at his dream.

Is the theme relevant to your own experience?

The theme is relevant to my own experience because it taught me about following my dreams and never giving up even though people don’t actually think it’s going to happen. Also, I learned a lot about the dynamic of a son and father relationship. It made me realize the importance of family. For example, when Ray Kinsella regretted that he left home saying those harsh words and could never take it back because his father died, it made me realize how life was so short and precious and that you should not take relationships or things for granted.

If you think the film makes a significant statement, why is it significant?

I believe that the film makes a significant statement because it teaches us valuable lessons which we can use for life. It is significant also in the aspect that we could learn from the movie and how human relationships alter and that people can have second chances, but also at the same time, you should not take things for granted.

Decide whether the film’s theme is intellectually or philosophically interesting or self-evident and boring. Defend your decision.

The film is philosophically interesting because it teaches the audience a valuable lesson and gives a good moral philosophy. For example, at the beginning of the movie, it showed us a background of Ray Kinsella and his father’s relationship and connected it with the ending of the movie and emphasized the importance of if Ray Kinsella eased his father’s pain, his father would come back.

Does the film have the potential to become a classic? Will this film be viewed watching it twenty years from today? Why?

The film does have the potential to become a classic because it shows a fundamental moral principle which can be related to humans twenty years from today because similarly, people from different generations have similar problems which we can all relate to.

Reflection: Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character is Ray Kinsella because he really inspires the audience to become a better person and build better relationships with your family members. Throughout the whole movie, he did not give up even though most of the people around him did not believe him, even his wife was skeptical of him.

Who was your least favorite character and why?

My least favorite character is Annie’s brother because he was the most persistent character who didn’t believe Ray Kinsella and was constantly forcing him to give up the farm because the Kinsella family was losing their finances. Furthermore, he was very aggressive with Ray’s daughter which I found rude.

What was your favorite part of the movie?

My favorite part of the movie is the ending when Ray asks his father to play catch with him because essentially, the main plot and theme is focused on Ray and his relationship with father. When he mentions in the middle part of the movie how he regretted his harsh towards his father and how he never wanted to play catch with him, it was really a prominent moment when he asked his father to play catch with him because it shows how Ray have grown and really fulfilled his dreams by the end of the movie.

What was your least favorite part?

My least favorite part of the movie is when Ray Kinsella talks to Moonlight because that confused me. The dialogue sometimes consisted of him becoming a doctor, which made more sense in the ending of the movie, however, this scene was my least favorite because it was confusing and I did not think it was really necessary.

Did you learn anything from the movie? What was it?

I learned a very valuable moral lesson regarding relationships with family and following your dreams. As titled, Field of Dreams, Ray Kinsella achieves his dreams by building a baseball field after hearing the voices in the beginning of the movie. Regardless of how many people doubt him, he still stuck throughout his goals and dreams and stood by it. Secondly, I also learned how you should not take things for granted. For example, Ray Kinsella regretted talking rudely to his father and before he could take it back, Ray’s father died and did not have a chance to take back those words. So, from Ray’s experience, I learned that you should always cherish the relationships with your family even in the darkest times.