1. Develop a thesis pertaining to the assigned film text and whether or not it, the film, in your view has the power to transform one’s political sensibilities. Your argument should express your point of view regarding the politics of difference, political sensibilities, and political transformation(s) as related to the film. Remember, you’re writing (developing) an analytical essay. Submit your thesis statement in the box to the right:
Kimberly Peirce’s film “Boys Don’t Cry,” has the ability to alter one’s political sensibilities because it portrays the hardships the protagonist faces with his sexual identity crisis, and how restrained Teena is with his struggling issue not many people come to face in their lives.
2. Develop three (3) topic sentences that articulate the major ideas that will comprise the body of your essay. Remember that your topic sentences should clearly state the argument or point to be made in the respective paragraphs. Submit your topic sentences in the box to the right:
A) During the early 1990s society was not as exceptive towards sexual differences as it is now, especially in the southern cities, and this led many people such as Teena into hiding their true sexual identity by making false accusations.
B) Rape can build sympathy and emotions for one who isn’t supportive towards transgenders by showing them the pain and suffering that Brandon Teena went through due to the characters fear of real identity.
C) With the ugly depiction of abuse, rape, and eventual murder Teena went through, the viewer’s sensibilities towards people going through a sexual identity crisis is positive and supportive, but on the same note the reason for murder in the film was also due to Teena lying but it is not his fault since he would not be accepted for who he really is.
3. Identify three (3) scenes from the film that support your thesis statement. Briefly explain in the box to the right:
A. The scene where Teena is escaping from a group of angry men for lying about being a man shows the real hatred that certain people have against trans-genders. It depicts to the audience why he was also getting into trouble because Teena was living a painful life and having to always be scared escalates to certain issues such as car theft, which Brandon Teena committed (05:30-06:30).
B. When John and Tom assault Teena for being different and gang raped him, it builds sympathy towards Teena as it did to me. Althoguh Teena was dishonest,the 2 ex-convicts did not have to take such drastic and barbaric measures towards him. We feel empathy for Teena because although he lied about his true identity, that does not allow for two other acquaintances to assault and rape him. Rape is a serious offense and has the capability to traumatize one, effecting them for the rest of their lives. When one is put in Teena’s shoes, it alters our political sensibilities because we feel empathy and pity for him (1:26).
C. As Teena is hiding and waiting to depart Fall City, he hides in a shed because he is terrified after being brutally beaten and gang raped by John and Tom. After this sequence of events he was taken to Tom’s house, where he escapes from a bathroom window although he is brutally injured. When Teena is ambushed by drunken John and Tom, they decide to kill Teena and Candice, although Lana tries to stop them. Murder is the most malicious action a human can commit, and viewer’s feel empathy for Teena after being beaten, raped, and eventually murdered due to his sexual identity (1:48).
4. Lastly, fully develop your introductory paragraph. Remember that the best possible thesis will answer some specific question about the text. In this case a question related to the film’s power to transform political sensibilities regarding difference. Enter text in the box to the right:
In Kimberly Peirce’s “Boys Don’t Cry,” society was not acceptive towards people going through identity issues. Many individuals were against trans-genders and did not accept them into society. Trans individuals were oppressed, harassed, and murdered in some cases. This led to many transgender people lying about who they really are due to understandable and obvious circumstances. This film has the ability to rearrange and transform one’s political sensibilities based on the fact that it portrays the hardships the protagonist faces with his sexual identity crisis, and how left out he is with his struggling issue not many people come to face in their lives. The beating, rape, and eventual murder of Brandon Teena causes viewers to feel empathy for Teena and alters our political sensibilities throughout the film.
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