Critical Literacy Response

What is the text about? How do we know?

The text is about how people can change others positively by doing simple things. We know this because, at the start of the short film, the protagonist was, even though he had a choice to help others he chose not to and kept his hands in his pockets. Until an old lady held his hand to help her cross the road. As they were crossing to the other side, a car was speeding through the road, almost hitting them, making the protagonist take his hand out from his pockets and put his hand up; scared of getting hit. After crossing the road, the old lady thanked the protagonist for taking his time accompanying the old lady to cross the road. The protagonist then changed his attitude towards others and started helping those who are in need. I think the reason for this is to inform the audience that simple things can have a positive impact on people.

Why is the text written in the way it is?

The text is written in the way it is to inform the audience that people can help change others positively in the right time and change the world to a better place. This was shown when the protagonist was about to cross the road and a grandma held his hand for help. With the car travelling straight towards them, the protagonist was forced to take his hand out to gesture the car to stop. With all of what happened, the protagonist was moved. I think this was done to indicate the audience that they can help make the world a better place slowly, one person at a time.

How does the text construct a version of reality?

This text constructs a version of reality by portraying how people can have a positive impact on others even on simple things. There's another short film I found which I thought was related to the first short film with people showing kindness to others. How one guy showed kindness to a person and how they keep passing it on.

What do the images suggest?

The images in the first short film suggest a change of personality using the colour of clothes and body language of the protagonist. For example, at the start of the film, the protagonist was shown as a dull colour person, wearing grey clothes, and had his hands in his pockets. Which changes at the end of the film after what had happened to him. We see the protagonist change by the colour of his clothes, from grey coloured clothes to different coloured clothes. His body language also changed from gloomy to joyful. I think this was done to help indicate to the audience how the protagonist's personality changes after what has happened to him.