Belonging Hsc Freedom Writers

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Freedom Writers, directed by Richard Lagravenes, depicts aspects of identity and acceptance and understanding in belonging. The film suggests that identity is not static and is constantly evolving and possessing multiple identities can cultivate a sense of belonging. The film also suggests that understanding and acceptance of other enable sound relationships can confirm their sense of belonging. Freedom Writers explore the aspect of identity in belonging, however in contrast to As You Like It, identity is not defined by hierarchy and gender but by ethnicity and place. The initial scenes in the film exemplify the hostile attitudes between all the different cultural groups. Soft non-diegetic music reflects the strong familial bond between Eva and a friend of the same cultural background, similar to the relationship of Celia and Rosalind. The music changes to rap as other gang members of a different ethnicity attack. Similar to the character Rosalind, Ms G acts also as a catalyst, but for her English class. Rosalind and Ms Gruwell both refer to other texts, Intertextuality is used as, Rosalind refers classical mythology when coaching Orlando, “The foolish chroniclers of that age found it was Hero of Sestos. But these are all lies. Men have died from time to time, and worms have eaten them, but not for love”, condoning that Orlando is foolish for exaggerating his feelings of love. Ms Gruwell however uses more modern stories including The Diary of Anne Frank and Durango Street to create a new encompassing identity for her students that is accepting and understanding of diversity. Shakespeare’s As You Like It and Freedom Writers both suggest that identity is not static and has potential to be transformed, however the elements and characteristics that define an individual’s identity differ between the two texts. Despite being constantly criticized and

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