Pleasantville Analysis

We are going to view Pleasantville, a movie filmed in 1998 that has some interesting symbolism of culture and social change. While you view the movie, there will be questions to answer that will hopefully help you move beyond a purely entertainment experience and towards a more sociological view of the film and American History.

1. David and Jen, the brother and sister in the ‘modern family,’ get transformed into a ‘Pleasantville family.’ a. Modern: What are the norms, beliefs and values of the family? What are the

norms, beliefs and values of the society? b. Pleasantville: What are the norms, beliefs and values of the family? What are the

norms, beliefs and values of the society? a. Family Norms, Beliefs, Values

Modern Family Pleasantville Family

b. Society Norms, Beliefs, ValuesModern Society Pleasantville Society

2. What topics are being taught at school in the ‘modern times?’ What topics are being taught in the ‘Pleasantville times?’

a. How does the school of Pleasantville education maintain the culture?

b. What role did the school play in the social change?

3. Make a list of at least 4 expected behaviors that were violated by the people of Pleasantville. 1. 2. 3. 4.

3. Using Sociolinguistics, how does the language reflect the beliefs/values/norms of Pleasantville? Give at least 3 examples to explain and support your answer (connect the language to the beliefs/values/norms).

4. What actually causes people to change color? (Hint: notice what makes Mary Sue change and listen to the Mayor’s speech at the bowling alley.)

5. Analyze each of the following symbols. What message/inference did each give/represent in the movie that requires knowledge from our culture to understand?

Symbol Message/Inference

6. Using Conflict Theory answer the following: How does the mayor (and his fellow commerce members) maintain power and fight against social change? Use examples and details to support your answer. (Hint: The 60’s era comes about with a town meeting that symbolically discusses the historical events of the Civil Rights Era. What else does the town do to symbolize the Civil Rights movement?)

7. Why does the Mayor change colors? What does this symbolize?

8. Describe behavior violations that were considered taboo in Pleasantville.

9. Describe how the static nature of Pleasantville was comforting to most adults and the men.

10. Why do you think it was so hard for change to take place in Pleasantville?

Give an explanation form the kids’ perspective-

Give an explanation from one of the adults’ perspective-