CHARACTER ANALYSIS-- Instructions

1. 2 paragraphs: prove the importance of theme (theme #1 or #2) in your ISU novel through the analysis of two characters in the book. Choose and reflect on one passage per character, and show how the character would be interesting for a movie and how they would develop theme. 


Add a photo of an actor (or two) that could be a good casting choice for the appearance of each character. Provide a 4-6 sentence explanation for your choice by referring to specific characteristics of your novel's character. It is best to choose a picture of the actor in character from a film--perhaps a role similar to that of your character-- rather than in a tux or dress at an awards show..

A Model
Casting choice for Zarite

Camille Wingrove who played a pre-teen and then teen daughter to Bernie Mac in The Bernie Mac show is my choice for an actress to play Zarite. First, the obvious physical attribute that Zarite and Wingrove share is their African heritage. Beyond that superficial comparison,  Zarite and Wingrove's character Vanessa have both experienced hardship: Zarite's slavery and Vanessa's drug addicted mother living in poverty. Through this hardship Zarite is a strong and resilient slave girl who survives. Similarly,  Wingrove's character, Vanessa, became resilient and strong by becoming mature enough to do well in school and be a loving big sister.  

Instructions 

2. Make new connections:
a) text to self connections: choose any two aspects of the novel (a character's traits, an event, a setting, a conflict) that you can compare to yourself. Identify the connection and explain the similarity in detail. Explain how this connection--even small or minor-- can help you understand the themes of the novel.

A Model 
Literary Connections for Island Beneath the Sea: text-to-self

Although perhaps an obvious point, I feel that it needs to said that connecting any aspect of this novel about Europe's worst, most barbaric colony in the 'new world' in the 1700s to me, a Canadian in 2013 dedicated to social justice, is a stretch: an awkward, unpleasant stretch that almost seems inappropriate. With more thought , I have tried to separate some similarities I can see to my life from the horrible aspects of this story. First, I can compare myself to Dr. Parmentier, the French doctor who is sensitive to the brutal conditions of the slaves. He respects the Haitian medecine woman Tante Rose and tries to learn from her. Like him, I admire the values and traditional lives of indigenous cultures. I was in my grade four, five and six years with Canadian indigenous peoples and still am now with the Maya and Quechua. I am also sensitive to the injustice of slavery...