Monday, December 6, 2010

A Christmas Story-Movie

A Christmas Story

Plot
 The plot of the movie compared to the short story is very similar. The main objective of the plot is that Ralphie receives a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas which occurs in both the short story and the film. There are other supporting parts in the film that are not included in the short story. One major difference in the film and story is how Ralphie overcomes the neighborhood bully. A similarity in plot is Ralphie trying to hide the fact that he wants to a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas from his brother. Overall the plot were similar except that the film version had more supporting plots.

Point of View
 Both the film and the short story are told from the same point of view. The short story is told as a memory of Ralphie's and the movie is told with the narration of the movie from an older Ralphie. The narration gives the insight that is read in the story while allowing the scene to unfold simultaneously. Ralphie's point of view also allows for the film to follow a similar set of events and structure. Ralphie gives many inner thoughts in short story that help the reader to understand his thoughts and plans more thoroughly. The narration of the film also gives the same inner thoughts that the short story does.

Characterization
 The are major differences in character development between the short story and the film. In the short story very little character development is made. The film though has much more in depth character development. Ralphie developes much more over the duration of the film as do the supporting characters. Many sides of Ralphie are shown in the film that are not spoken for in the story. Ralphie shows his anger when he takes on the neighborhood bully. The father is also shown more in the film. His anger is shown in the story but in a more broad aspect whereas his anger is shown more in the film and his personality is shown in more detail.

Setting
 One minor difference in the setting between to the two forms is the absence of the beginning of the story in Manhattan. The rest of the setting is similar in both the film and the story. They both change frequently and show the same places. The film version does have some minor places added into it but none that have and a major effect on the similarity between the two. Ralphie's home plays a huge role in the film just the same as it does in the story. The school also has a major role in the film.

Theme
 The themes in the are similar in both the story and the film. The theme of desire plays the same role that it does in the story version. Ralphie shows the same desire for the Red Ryder BB Gun in the film that he shows in the story. The theme of denial occurs in the film as well. Ralphie is hesitant at first to express his desire to have the BB Gun so instead he acts as if he doesn't want it or didn't actually want it and was just joking. Overall the themes have the same role in both forms.




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