Rick Dadier Double Entry Analysis
Journal Entry: Summary
Rick Dadier, a war veteran is hired to teach at North Manual High School. This is his first teaching assignment, so he can support himself and his pregnant wife. Dadier learns quickly that the school has a severe discipline problem, and the established teachers advise him how to deal with the students. Regardless, Dadier tries to discipline the class and this provokes a violent response in which Dadier is ambushed by a group of students. Dadier then goes to seek advice from his old mentor and is then faced with two choices too either go to another school or stay at the school. Dadier returns to the school the next day and is reported by a student for using racial epithets. Due to this Dadier is called into the principal’s office and after a heated argument where Dadier reasons with the principle, after the principal attempts to regain his trust by giving him the Christmas Show. The movie continues with Dadier and his colleagues in the classroom where he is enraged about the complacent and complaining attitude from his fellow teachers as well as their lack of innovation and ideas to fix the juvenile delinquency of the kids. Dadier then tries to connect with the kids through a simple cartoon by making them think. In an attempt …show more content…
to force Dadier out of the school West plants letters lying about Dadier having an affair with another woman. This leads to Dadier’s Wife giving birth to the baby prematurely. The movie ends after a confrontation between West and Dadier, in which Dadier gains the respect of the students.
Journal Entry: Setting and Historical Significance
Blackboard Jungle is a social commentary created during the 1950’s which addresses juvenile delinquency, the highly controversial rock music and racial prejudice. The film shows no female troublemakers which portrays the stereotype that teenage boys are usually the ones who instigate violence, the film offers a reason for juvenile delinquency through the voice of the police: “they have no home life, no church life, no place to go… gang leaders have taken the place off parents.” By this the director has cleverly commented on the situation of a rise in juvenile crime at the time. The use of rock music is viewed as a bold step to make since at that time rock n roll music was widely associated with crime. Reports from some cinemas said that when the rock music started playing riots occurred, due to this the film was banned from certain cinemas. The film was made after Rosa Parks’ significance and the Brown vs Board case which shows the view on racism at the time was slowly getting better. The film reflects its own views on racism when Dadier deals with racial slurs in the classrooms when the principal is tipped off from a student that Dadier was using racial epithets in class. The principal chastises Dadier, this shows that two important protagonists object to racism signifying the film’s view on racism.
Journal Entry: Audio Codes
Throughout the film audio codes have been used to create different atmosphere and symbolise distinct ideas.
The audio codes in the film can be grouped into diegetic and non-diegetic. A good example of non-diegetic codes appears in the scene in which Mr Dadier and a colleague are ambushed in an ally by a group of students. While this happens energetic jazz music accompanied by lively drums play in the background creating a fast paced, suspenseful atmosphere. Another example of non-diegetic codes is when Dadier and his wife are talking about how they had previously lost a baby, throughout this conversation intimate music is playing making the audience emotional provoking feelings of sympathy towards the main
protagonist.
In addition Diegetic audio codes can be clearly recognised in the scene where the doctor tells Mr Dadier and his wife that their baby will survive, he switches on the radio which is playing the song “Auld Lung Sine”. This creates a happy atmosphere partly because the song is quite upbeat and partly because the song is about new beginnings. Another way in which these codes are used is when West says “You’re in my classroom now”. This creates an intense atmosphere in which West is revealed as a powerful character. Diegetic codes can also be seen in the scene where Dadier is brutally beaten after being ambushed. Running water can be heard in the background, this symbolises a flow of blood and adds an increase of severity to the fight. Towards the end of the film during the final confrontation between Dadier and West there is absolute silence apart from a clock continuously ticking in the background. Consequently this adds to the suspense that the viewer feels creating a heightened tension.
Journal Entry: Symbolic Codes
The costumes in the film are very strong symbols that reflect the characters and their position in the school. Dadier’s clothes, suit and ties, are formal and through this formality represent order and authority. The fact that all the male teachers wear the same clothing reinforces the view that teachers are dominant and powerful. On the other hand the student’s attire is casual to the point of rebellion. The rebellious attitude are signified through leather jackets and gang colours, presenting ideas of chaos and anarchy. Dadier’s wife wears soft, frilly blouses and full skirts which exaggerate her weakness and fragility. She is the archetypical female character, portrayed by her generalised clothing as well as her stereotypical looks: pale, thin, tall and blonde. Hammond however is portrayed as a strong female character. This is done by representing her sexuality through tight dresses and by the camera focusing on her figure.
Journal Entry: Technical Codes
Camera shots and angles have been used to emphasize the power between the characters. As Mr Dadier walks into the school on his first day the camera pans around showing children playing on the streets, people smoking, dancing and unfriendly faces. This implies that there is no order in the school and the children aren’t very co-operative. Later on in his first day Dadier confronts Miller in the toilets, the camera starts at a mid-shot and slowly tilts down towards Miller. This shows the conflict between the students and Mr Dadier and as the camera tilts it shows the power Mr Dadier has over the students. Similarly when Dadier is offered a job at a prestigious school, he declines patriotically saying that he won’t give up on these kids, while the camera tilts up to him emphasising Mr Dadier and his values. On the other hand the scene in which the math teacher’s records are broken, an aerial shot is used to show how small and powerless he is. In a similar fashion when Dadier’s wife has had the baby and she is in the ward an aerial shot is applied to show her weakness.
Journal Entry: Values and Attitudes
Different characters in Blackboard Jungle represent different values and attitudes, which are clearly conveyed through dialogue. Mr Dadier is presented as dedicated, committed, and resilient, this is done by his never give up attitude: “I’m beaten but I’m not beaten down”. He is also portrayed as wanting to teach since he says it is not the best paying job comparing it to a household maid’s pay and saying that he does it to “sculpt young minds”. Other teachers at the school have dissimilar ideas to Dadier they have a negative view on the kids even going as far as comparing them to lice and metaphorically calling the school a great big garbage can. The feeling is mutual between the teachers and the students particularly West, who has a negative view on the police, army and teachers. He goes as far to say worst case scenario the army picks him up from the streets and the best case scenario is he goes to jail and when he gets out the army doesn’t need him anymore. When Dadier shows his class the cartoon they are all laughing apart from West who looks glum, when asked what he thinks about the cartoon he says “crime always pays”, this reveals what West’s believes. The police view juvenile delinquency as being caused from having “no church, no home, no place to go” they also believe that the children are mixed up, suspicious and scared and gang leaders have taken the place of parents due to their parents not being around.
Journal Entry: Summary
Jake Tyler moves from Iowa to Florida with his mother and younger brother. Jake goes to a party attempting to fit in, where he fights with the fighting champion, Ryan. Jake does not wish to fight until Ryan taunts him about his father who died while driving drunk. Jake loses the fight and a classmate, Max, invites him to a gym he trains at. Roqua the gym trainer agrees to take Jake as a pupil. Baja, Ryan’s girlfriend then confronts Ryan about the fight with Jake and proceeds to end their relationship. Ryan tells Jake that they would fight again at a tournament called the “Beatdown”. While Jake is training with Roqua, he inquires why he lives in the gym. Jake discovers that Roqua is from Brazil and has left because he believes he is the reason his brother death. Jake decides he will not compete in the Beatdown, upon learning of this Ryan brutally assaults Jake’s friend, Max. Jake and Baja take Max to the hospital where Jake decides to fight. Jake makes it to the semifinals and Baja sees him and helps him get ready for his next fight. Ryan then gets disqualified in his semifinal match, Jake forfeits, seeing no reason to continue. While he and Baja leave, Ryan confronts him and the two finally fight outside in the parking lot. Jake then knocks out Ryan using one of the first combinations Roqua taught him. The next day, Max has been released from the hospital. Jake has won the respect of his fellow students, including Ryan, and Roqua closes the gym with a ticket to Brazil, signaling his intention to reconcile with his father.
Rick Dadier, a war veteran is hired to teach at North Manual High School. This is his first teaching assignment, so he can support himself and his pregnant wife. Dadier learns quickly that the school has a severe discipline problem, and the established teachers advise him how to deal with the students. Regardless, Dadier tries to discipline the class and this provokes a violent response in which Dadier is ambushed by a group of students. Dadier then goes to seek advice from his old mentor and is then faced with two choices too either go to another school or stay at the school. Dadier returns to the school the next day and is reported by a student for using racial epithets. Due to this Dadier is called into the principal’s office and after a heated argument where Dadier reasons with the principle, after the principal attempts to regain his trust by giving him the Christmas Show. The movie continues with Dadier and his colleagues in the classroom where he is enraged about the complacent and complaining attitude from his fellow teachers as well as their lack of innovation and ideas to fix the juvenile delinquency of the kids. Dadier then tries to connect with the kids through a simple cartoon by making them think. In an attempt …show more content…
to force Dadier out of the school West plants letters lying about Dadier having an affair with another woman. This leads to Dadier’s Wife giving birth to the baby prematurely. The movie ends after a confrontation between West and Dadier, in which Dadier gains the respect of the students.
Journal Entry: Setting and Historical Significance
Blackboard Jungle is a social commentary created during the 1950’s which addresses juvenile delinquency, the highly controversial rock music and racial prejudice. The film shows no female troublemakers which portrays the stereotype that teenage boys are usually the ones who instigate violence, the film offers a reason for juvenile delinquency through the voice of the police: “they have no home life, no church life, no place to go… gang leaders have taken the place off parents.” By this the director has cleverly commented on the situation of a rise in juvenile crime at the time. The use of rock music is viewed as a bold step to make since at that time rock n roll music was widely associated with crime. Reports from some cinemas said that when the rock music started playing riots occurred, due to this the film was banned from certain cinemas. The film was made after Rosa Parks’ significance and the Brown vs Board case which shows the view on racism at the time was slowly getting better. The film reflects its own views on racism when Dadier deals with racial slurs in the classrooms when the principal is tipped off from a student that Dadier was using racial epithets in class. The principal chastises Dadier, this shows that two important protagonists object to racism signifying the film’s view on racism.
Journal Entry: Audio Codes
Throughout the film audio codes have been used to create different atmosphere and symbolise distinct ideas.
The audio codes in the film can be grouped into diegetic and non-diegetic. A good example of non-diegetic codes appears in the scene in which Mr Dadier and a colleague are ambushed in an ally by a group of students. While this happens energetic jazz music accompanied by lively drums play in the background creating a fast paced, suspenseful atmosphere. Another example of non-diegetic codes is when Dadier and his wife are talking about how they had previously lost a baby, throughout this conversation intimate music is playing making the audience emotional provoking feelings of sympathy towards the main
protagonist.
In addition Diegetic audio codes can be clearly recognised in the scene where the doctor tells Mr Dadier and his wife that their baby will survive, he switches on the radio which is playing the song “Auld Lung Sine”. This creates a happy atmosphere partly because the song is quite upbeat and partly because the song is about new beginnings. Another way in which these codes are used is when West says “You’re in my classroom now”. This creates an intense atmosphere in which West is revealed as a powerful character. Diegetic codes can also be seen in the scene where Dadier is brutally beaten after being ambushed. Running water can be heard in the background, this symbolises a flow of blood and adds an increase of severity to the fight. Towards the end of the film during the final confrontation between Dadier and West there is absolute silence apart from a clock continuously ticking in the background. Consequently this adds to the suspense that the viewer feels creating a heightened tension.
Journal Entry: Symbolic Codes
The costumes in the film are very strong symbols that reflect the characters and their position in the school. Dadier’s clothes, suit and ties, are formal and through this formality represent order and authority. The fact that all the male teachers wear the same clothing reinforces the view that teachers are dominant and powerful. On the other hand the student’s attire is casual to the point of rebellion. The rebellious attitude are signified through leather jackets and gang colours, presenting ideas of chaos and anarchy. Dadier’s wife wears soft, frilly blouses and full skirts which exaggerate her weakness and fragility. She is the archetypical female character, portrayed by her generalised clothing as well as her stereotypical looks: pale, thin, tall and blonde. Hammond however is portrayed as a strong female character. This is done by representing her sexuality through tight dresses and by the camera focusing on her figure.
Journal Entry: Technical Codes
Camera shots and angles have been used to emphasize the power between the characters. As Mr Dadier walks into the school on his first day the camera pans around showing children playing on the streets, people smoking, dancing and unfriendly faces. This implies that there is no order in the school and the children aren’t very co-operative. Later on in his first day Dadier confronts Miller in the toilets, the camera starts at a mid-shot and slowly tilts down towards Miller. This shows the conflict between the students and Mr Dadier and as the camera tilts it shows the power Mr Dadier has over the students. Similarly when Dadier is offered a job at a prestigious school, he declines patriotically saying that he won’t give up on these kids, while the camera tilts up to him emphasising Mr Dadier and his values. On the other hand the scene in which the math teacher’s records are broken, an aerial shot is used to show how small and powerless he is. In a similar fashion when Dadier’s wife has had the baby and she is in the ward an aerial shot is applied to show her weakness.
Journal Entry: Values and Attitudes
Different characters in Blackboard Jungle represent different values and attitudes, which are clearly conveyed through dialogue. Mr Dadier is presented as dedicated, committed, and resilient, this is done by his never give up attitude: “I’m beaten but I’m not beaten down”. He is also portrayed as wanting to teach since he says it is not the best paying job comparing it to a household maid’s pay and saying that he does it to “sculpt young minds”. Other teachers at the school have dissimilar ideas to Dadier they have a negative view on the kids even going as far as comparing them to lice and metaphorically calling the school a great big garbage can. The feeling is mutual between the teachers and the students particularly West, who has a negative view on the police, army and teachers. He goes as far to say worst case scenario the army picks him up from the streets and the best case scenario is he goes to jail and when he gets out the army doesn’t need him anymore. When Dadier shows his class the cartoon they are all laughing apart from West who looks glum, when asked what he thinks about the cartoon he says “crime always pays”, this reveals what West’s believes. The police view juvenile delinquency as being caused from having “no church, no home, no place to go” they also believe that the children are mixed up, suspicious and scared and gang leaders have taken the place of parents due to their parents not being around.
Journal Entry: Summary
Jake Tyler moves from Iowa to Florida with his mother and younger brother. Jake goes to a party attempting to fit in, where he fights with the fighting champion, Ryan. Jake does not wish to fight until Ryan taunts him about his father who died while driving drunk. Jake loses the fight and a classmate, Max, invites him to a gym he trains at. Roqua the gym trainer agrees to take Jake as a pupil. Baja, Ryan’s girlfriend then confronts Ryan about the fight with Jake and proceeds to end their relationship. Ryan tells Jake that they would fight again at a tournament called the “Beatdown”. While Jake is training with Roqua, he inquires why he lives in the gym. Jake discovers that Roqua is from Brazil and has left because he believes he is the reason his brother death. Jake decides he will not compete in the Beatdown, upon learning of this Ryan brutally assaults Jake’s friend, Max. Jake and Baja take Max to the hospital where Jake decides to fight. Jake makes it to the semifinals and Baja sees him and helps him get ready for his next fight. Ryan then gets disqualified in his semifinal match, Jake forfeits, seeing no reason to continue. While he and Baja leave, Ryan confronts him and the two finally fight outside in the parking lot. Jake then knocks out Ryan using one of the first combinations Roqua taught him. The next day, Max has been released from the hospital. Jake has won the respect of his fellow students, including Ryan, and Roqua closes the gym with a ticket to Brazil, signaling his intention to reconcile with his father.