English Standard HSC Course - Exploring Transitions Notes

Essay Four: Billy Elliot and Related Text

	Quote & Technique	Explanation & link to transition
B1: CT Billy Elliot Theme: Triumph over Adversity (Social / Gender Expectations)	Quote/Scene: Private Lessons - Billy has private lessons with Mrs Wilkinson and he brings objects along to inspire him Technique: Close-up shot Diegetic sound Quote/Scene: Opening Scenes - The introduction of characters and of the social situation occurring; Miners’ Strikes Technique: Use of slow motion Close-up Facial expressions Body language Uniform colour (YELLOW)	Rubric: Transitions may be challenging, confronting - Billy brings his mother’s letters; it becomes confronting for him, as Mrs Wilkinson is reading the letter to him - The close-up shot in this scene shows that the death of his mother is very challenging for him - The use of the diegetic music from the beginning of the film links to his mother through the piano - Throughout the opening scenes, it is made evidently clear that there is a sense of communal expectation within the town - Men are expected to perform in boxing and wrestling, whereas women are expected to perform in ballet - There is also the introduction of the ideas surrounding traditions
B2: CT Billy Elliot Theme: Journey Towards Self-Realisation (Identity = coming of age and self-discovery)	Quote/Scene: Dad’s Decision - Jackie allows for Billy to go to London in order to audition for the prestigious ballet school Technique: Wide-angle shot Close-up Quote/Scene: The Farewell Technique: Metaphor (laneway) Symbolism Juxtaposition	Rubric: Transitions may result in growth, change and a range of consequences for the individual and others - Jackie is finally able to accept Billy and come to understand that dancing is a part of who he is - He has moved past the traumas and hardships of his life, which is reflected through this decision - Laneway → is a path to the community, as well as to the wider world; symbolic of his transition into the new world - Billy and Jackie embrace; juxtaposed with every other moment in the film → the first physical sign of intimacy - Comment about what transitions mean for different people →Billy is transitioni- sioning into another world; Mrs. Wilkinson returns to the status quo in the boxing hall; Jackie and Tony, the mid shot of them descending in the elevator shows that nothing has changed
B3: CT Billy Elliot Theme: Tolerance / Acceptance	Quote/Scene: Dad Finds Out - Billy demands to know a valid point as to why he, or men, can’t do ballet Technique: Refusing to fall back and conform Close-ups Quote/Scene: Dancing for Dad - Billy performs for Jackie, which helps in his realisation of the talent that Billy possesses Technique: Climax of the film Point of realisation Diegetic sound Facial expression Stance Low-angled shot	Rubric: Transitions can result in shifts in attitudes and beliefs - Billy’s passion for ballet becomes stronger, and allows for him to stand up despite and against Jackie’s disdain - Jackie comes to understand the importance of ballet in Billy’s life - Low-angled shot demonstrates a sense of equality during this: they are almost at the same height and stance - Shows that in terms of the power dynamic, they are standing symbolically equal - Line on the round → distinct motion of crossing the threshold
B4: R To Kill a Mockingbird Theme: The Existence of Social Inequality	Quote/Event: Boo Radley’s Life Technique: Metaphor Imagery Foreshadowing Quote/Event: Tom Robinson’s Death Technique: Dramatic irony Metaphor Imagery Irony 3 Main Metaphors: Innocent people are being convicted for no solid and justified reason The discrimination of black people from the white people The fear society has against people who are “different”	Rubric: Individuals experience transitions into new phases of life and social contexts - Scout’s introduction into the reality of situations within the Maycomb community showcase the social inequalities which occur within - She slowly, throughout her life, learns about the social outcomes of discrimination - Irony =  (TR’s prosecution vs the discrimination against coloured people) - The dramatic irony in the book reveals information about Scout’s situation which she is unaware of → this depicts characteristics about her. - The situational irony in the book also reveals character traits as well as knowledge that a character may have had E.g. When Jem, Atticus, and the reader are sure that Tom Robinson is innocent but is found to be guilty
B5: R To Kill a Mockingbird Theme: Social / Gender Expectations	Quote/Event: The Community Technique: Metaphor Irony Quote/Event: Aunt Alexandra’s Tea Party Technique: Metaphor	Rubric: Transitions may be challenging, confronting - Scout’s inability to transition into a “young lady” is strongly against the town’s traditional sense of values

c. Madison F, 2017