french
Questions about Sam Raimi’s A Simple Plan
ACT ONE
1. How does Raimi establish the simple, rustic nature of life in late 1990s Minnesota in the opening sequence? How does protagonist Hank Mitchell’s opening monologue support this rustic simplicity?
The death of winter shows the winter decline
The untended fence and rundown farm are metonyms for the broader economic downturn that characterized rural America in the late 1990s (context)
The monotony of Hank’s life is established in the opening shots of him filling the grain sacks. His life appears simple and uncomplicated – one that is characterized by routine and order.
“My father taught me what he thought it took for man to be happy” (father’s understanding of the American dream)
“Simple things really”
“A wife he loves”
“A decent job”
“Friends and neighbors who like and respect him”
“For a while there… I had all that” – past tense, regretful tone
“I was a happy man” – past tense
Hank was a happy man but he didn’t realize it. He was living the simple American dream but in modern society, we always want more (more wealth, bigger house, better job)
2. How is Hank positioned to the audience at the beginning of the film?
Hank is positioned as a kind, generous, well respected, upstanding citizen as revealed by his friendly interactions with locals and the sheriff and his loving exchange with his pregnant wife Sarah.
3. What does the cross cutting between the fox in the hen house and the people going about their everyday lives represent?
The fox in the hen’s house symbolizes the conflict of man and the jealousy, greediness of humans.
Foreshadowing of death and conflict. The fox is an opportunistic killer who manages to break into the hen house, which symbolizes Hank’s opportunistic discovery that has far—reaching consequences. The fox reminds us that we are all fighting for survival and are therefore capable of anything that might help us secure our future in an uncertain world.
4. How does Raimi
ACT ONE
1. How does Raimi establish the simple, rustic nature of life in late 1990s Minnesota in the opening sequence? How does protagonist Hank Mitchell’s opening monologue support this rustic simplicity?
The death of winter shows the winter decline
The untended fence and rundown farm are metonyms for the broader economic downturn that characterized rural America in the late 1990s (context)
The monotony of Hank’s life is established in the opening shots of him filling the grain sacks. His life appears simple and uncomplicated – one that is characterized by routine and order.
“My father taught me what he thought it took for man to be happy” (father’s understanding of the American dream)
“Simple things really”
“A wife he loves”
“A decent job”
“Friends and neighbors who like and respect him”
“For a while there… I had all that” – past tense, regretful tone
“I was a happy man” – past tense
Hank was a happy man but he didn’t realize it. He was living the simple American dream but in modern society, we always want more (more wealth, bigger house, better job)
2. How is Hank positioned to the audience at the beginning of the film?
Hank is positioned as a kind, generous, well respected, upstanding citizen as revealed by his friendly interactions with locals and the sheriff and his loving exchange with his pregnant wife Sarah.
3. What does the cross cutting between the fox in the hen house and the people going about their everyday lives represent?
The fox in the hen’s house symbolizes the conflict of man and the jealousy, greediness of humans.
Foreshadowing of death and conflict. The fox is an opportunistic killer who manages to break into the hen house, which symbolizes Hank’s opportunistic discovery that has far—reaching consequences. The fox reminds us that we are all fighting for survival and are therefore capable of anything that might help us secure our future in an uncertain world.
4. How does Raimi