movie HW

Discussion Questions for Nothing But a Man

• How is sound used and for what purpose(s) is it used within Nothing But a Man?

• What type of protagonist or hero is Duff – active or passive?

Active protagonist – pursues his/her desire by taking action in direct conflict with the people and the world around him

Passive protagonist – outwardly inactive while pursuing desire inwardly, in conflict with aspects of his or her own nature – either does not know or is unable to express the reasons for or the solutions to how his/her life is out of balance

• What does Duff want? What type of guy is he?

• What is Duff searching for when he leaves his buddies at the bar and goes into town only to show up at a picnic at a local church?

• Is it clear to Duff at this time what he lacks, wants or needs?

• Identify examples of men in Duff’s life – What defines a man?

• Duff’s decision – What kind of man is he?

• What does Josie see in Duff?

• How is Duff different than his father?

• What is the preacher’s role within the community?

• Why does Josie feel that her father hasn’t done a thing for any of the Black men within the community?

• What or who is the antagonistic force within the movie?

• Is the main conflict internal or external and why?

• What is the crisis scene and what must Duff recognize and then decide?

• What must Duff confront and overcome in order to achieve his goal?

• What is the film’s climax and why?

• Describe the mise en scene within the last scene?

• What do the visual elements symbols or suggest?

• Does this story contain an open or a closed ending?