STARSHINA ESSAY
A hero is born among a hundred, a wise man is found among a thousand, but an accomplished one might not be found even among a hundred thousand men.
--Plato
Analyze this statement by Plato and apply it to Enemy at the Gates. Take a position on whether it is correct or false; then, use data from the movie to prove the argument.
OR
· You may produce a one-page (typed, 11 pica, 1.5 spaces, one-inch margins, name and date in upper right-hand margin) opinion piece on the movie’s quotes.
· You need to relate each quote to the movie’s principle motifs (momentum and brutality, historical drama told behind a difficult backdrop, solitude, frightful and terrifying).
· You will compose four paragraphs with a topic sentence, three to eight sentences that support the topic in the body of the paragraph, and a transition.
· Do not type the quotes; rather, reference them as quote 1, 2, 3 and 4.
· Vassili Zaitsev
I am a stone. I do not move.
(First lines of the film; the main character, as a child, is hunting a wolf.)
· Danilov
I've been such a fool, Vassili. Man will always be man. There is no new man. We tried so hard to create a society that was equal, where there'd be nothing to envy your neighbour. But there's always something to envy. A smile, a friendship, something you don't have and want to appropriate. In this world, even a Soviet one, there will always be rich and poor. Rich in gifts, poor in gifts. Rich in love, poor in love.
· Red Army General : I carried out my orders. I sent in all of my boys. But the Germans engulfed us. They have, artillery, aircraft, tanks. And me! What did I have?!
Khrushchev: Sacred duty to resist! I have to report back to the boss. (hands him a pistol) Perhaps you'd prefer to avoid the red tape. (Khrushchev walks out of the room to address political officers. There is a gunshot, then he begins) My name, is Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev. I've come to takes things in hand here. This city, is not Kursk, nor is it Kiev, nor Minsk. This city, is Stalingrad. Stalin-grad! The city bears the name of the boss. It's more than a city, it's a symbol. If the Germans, capture this city, the entire country will collapse. Now, I want our boys, to raise their heads…(briefly pauses) That's your job. As political officers, I'm counting on you. You, what's your suggestion?
Sweating officer: Shoot all the other generals who have retreated. And their chiefs of staff, too.
Stammering officer: M-make s-some examples. D-d-d-d-d-de-port the families, of the d-d-deserters.
Khrushchev: No, that's all been done.
Danilov: Give them hope! (Khrushchev walks over) Here the men's only choice is between German bullets and ours. But there's another way, a way of courage, a way of love of the Motherland. We must publish the army newspaper again. We must tell magnificent stories, stories that extol sacrifice, bravery, courage. We must give them hope, pride, a desire to fight. We must make them believe in the victory. Yes, we need make examples, yes, but examples to follow. What we need, are heroes.
Tagline: A battle between two nations became a conflict between two men.
Due Date: Tuesday, November 1st at the completion of class.
--Plato
Analyze this statement by Plato and apply it to Enemy at the Gates. Take a position on whether it is correct or false; then, use data from the movie to prove the argument.
OR
· You may produce a one-page (typed, 11 pica, 1.5 spaces, one-inch margins, name and date in upper right-hand margin) opinion piece on the movie’s quotes.
· You need to relate each quote to the movie’s principle motifs (momentum and brutality, historical drama told behind a difficult backdrop, solitude, frightful and terrifying).
· You will compose four paragraphs with a topic sentence, three to eight sentences that support the topic in the body of the paragraph, and a transition.
· Do not type the quotes; rather, reference them as quote 1, 2, 3 and 4.
· Vassili Zaitsev
I am a stone. I do not move.
(First lines of the film; the main character, as a child, is hunting a wolf.)
· Danilov
I've been such a fool, Vassili. Man will always be man. There is no new man. We tried so hard to create a society that was equal, where there'd be nothing to envy your neighbour. But there's always something to envy. A smile, a friendship, something you don't have and want to appropriate. In this world, even a Soviet one, there will always be rich and poor. Rich in gifts, poor in gifts. Rich in love, poor in love.
· Red Army General : I carried out my orders. I sent in all of my boys. But the Germans engulfed us. They have, artillery, aircraft, tanks. And me! What did I have?!
Khrushchev: Sacred duty to resist! I have to report back to the boss. (hands him a pistol) Perhaps you'd prefer to avoid the red tape. (Khrushchev walks out of the room to address political officers. There is a gunshot, then he begins) My name, is Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev. I've come to takes things in hand here. This city, is not Kursk, nor is it Kiev, nor Minsk. This city, is Stalingrad. Stalin-grad! The city bears the name of the boss. It's more than a city, it's a symbol. If the Germans, capture this city, the entire country will collapse. Now, I want our boys, to raise their heads…(briefly pauses) That's your job. As political officers, I'm counting on you. You, what's your suggestion?
Sweating officer: Shoot all the other generals who have retreated. And their chiefs of staff, too.
Stammering officer: M-make s-some examples. D-d-d-d-d-de-port the families, of the d-d-deserters.
Khrushchev: No, that's all been done.
Danilov: Give them hope! (Khrushchev walks over) Here the men's only choice is between German bullets and ours. But there's another way, a way of courage, a way of love of the Motherland. We must publish the army newspaper again. We must tell magnificent stories, stories that extol sacrifice, bravery, courage. We must give them hope, pride, a desire to fight. We must make them believe in the victory. Yes, we need make examples, yes, but examples to follow. What we need, are heroes.
Tagline: A battle between two nations became a conflict between two men.
Due Date: Tuesday, November 1st at the completion of class.