Sun-Shadow Mandala

Movie Project

Antwone Fisher

Antwone Fisher was placed in a foster home after he was born, and he stayed in foster care throughout most of his childhood as well. Antwone lived with a foster family for two years, and he was taken away from them because of the relationship he created with his foster mother could have ended up causing problems later on in life. He was then placed with a foster family named the Tates. There was Reverend Tates and Mrs. Tates, who already had nine children of their own. His life with the Tates was extremely dysfunctinal. He lived with the family for fourteen years and throughout those years he was physically, sexually, and emotionally abused. He was ignored by the family and also sexually abused by a neighbor and a family friend. He got in a dispute with Mrs. Tates and was placed back in social services, He later joined the Navy and spent eleven years serving his country. Here, he met Commander Williams, a psychiatrist who helped him through his emotional traumas. After being discharged he worked as a federal correctional officer and other jobs down the road. Eventually found his real family. His mother who was on drugs, and ther rest of the family who welcomed him so dearly. He later got married to a woman named LaNette and has now been married for ten years. They have two children together and Antwone still owrks as an author, as a poet, as movie producer, and also a writer.

Speak

Melinda Sordino started her freshman year in high school on the wrong foot. She was labeled as a "squealer" for calling the police to a house party the summer before. The reason for calling the police was that she was raped by a senior, Andy Evans. She was so silenced by the rape that she couldn't find the words to tell anyone. Melinda was shunned by her middle school friends and was forced to deal with social rejection. Her parents noticed a change in their daughter but they could not figure out what was wrong with her. She and a new girl named Heather became somewhat of friends who eventually left her when the chance to climb the social ladder arises. The only other student that hse has a positive relationship with is David, her lab partner. The high point of her day is when she has art class with Mr. Freeman. He encourages students to express themselves and Melinda began to slowly open up. As her first year in high school progressed she began to face her fears and tells Rachel about the attack when Rachel begins to date Andy, because it could happen to her too. She stands up to her power-crazy social studies teacher and Heather also. When Andy finds out that she told what he had done to her, he threatens Melinda again and she stands up to him. She is then finally able to talk to her mother about her rape and the party the summer before. By the end of the movie she comes completely out of her shell.

Speak 3 D.Q.'s

1.Discuss why Melinda skips schol and what she does.
-she wants to get away for a while
2.Why is it hard to be in between childhood and adulthood.
-more responsibility as you get older.
3.Discuss why Melinda and Heather's friendship ended. What effect did it have on Melinda?
-they were using each other.didn't effect her.
4.Analyze the events abd effects of Valentine's Day on Melinda and the aftermath.
-wasn't ready, but kind of likes David.
5.Melinda wishes her science teacher would teachthem about love and betrayal instead of about the birds and the bees. Explain how we can learn about love from a book?
-from nature
6.Discuss what happens when Melinda is placed in MISS.
-IT was there.
7.What was Mr. Freeman's effect on Melinda, inside and outside the art class.Do you agree with his statement, "When people don't express themselves,they die one piece at a time."
-yes they kill themselves by not talking.
8.Mr. Freeman tells his class, "You must walk alone to find your soul." What does this mean?
-you have to look inside yourself to find you.
9. Mr. Freeman also says that "art is about making mistakes and learning from them." What else is this like?
-life
10.Examine Melinda's self-image and her survival techniques after Heather's rejection.
-she was better off without her.
11.Examine Melinda's revelation about the night of the party and its lasting effect on her.
-she wouldn't be like this if she hadn't went to the party.

Speak 2 D.Q.'s

1.Discuss Melinda's decline, including physical symptoms.
-raped, cutting, depressed
2.Analyze the social studies "debate" and its aftermath. Is the teacher right or wrong? Do students have a right to challenge a teacher?
-they do if the teacher is wrong
3.Who is a "real" American? What do you think of Mr. Neck's opinion?
-citizens, it is wrong
4.Discuss the Thanksgiving dinner for Melinda's family and why is this significant.
-mom burned turkey, Melinda knows every year something goes wrong
5.Analyze Melinda's statement about her parents, "I bet they'd be divorced by now if I hadn't been born."
6.Examine Melinda's refrences to her "secret" and what this reveals about her relationship with her parents.
-they don't communicate
7.Discuss Melinda's athletic ability, and the comparison she makes between basketball and life.
-superficial athletes, most are shallow
8.Why did the relationship between Melinda and Heather deteriorate? Are the Marthas good friends to Heather? Why or why not?
-she wanteed to fit in with the Marthas, and they used each other. The Marthas are fake.
9.What qualities are most important in a person? What do you usually notice about people? Does that really matter?
-looks, how they act. Yes the way they act shows what kind of person they are.
10.Examine Melinda's reference to IT.
-Andy Evans, the guy who raped her, shes scared of him.
11.Discuss the school conference with Melinda's parents and the aftermath.
-dumb counselor, nieve parents, still doesn't tell anyonem it doesn't help anything.