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GEM 2005M / HY2243
FILM AND HISTORY
Feedback on Project 3
Question:
How do The Man Who Would Be King and Lagaan undermine or support images and myths of the Britons and “the progress of civilization”? How do sports, such as polo and cricket, act metaphorically in this “progress”?
General Comments:
These are complex films that can be seen in many different ways. While it is interesting to point out a variety of topics and ideas, please focus your answer on the question that has been asked. A good answer dealt with the question, and went beyond the usual topics mentioned (Capt. Russell is “mean” or it was “not nice” to through the Indian off the train for eating watermelon) to describe images and metaphors that focus on Kipling, "the White Man's Burden", and the question of civilization and sports. For example, why did Danny die on a bridge that had been cut? Yes, the peasants of Champaneer learned to play cricket and beat the British, but wasn't the game played strictly according to the rules ("civilization") and wasn't it an English woman who taught them the game ("how to be civilized")?
Are all White men bad ("White Man Bashing")? We noticed that most students have displayed an uncritical view of Lagaan and have been quick to point out the "bad things" of Western/Hollywood movies especially in their racist portrayal of non-European people. This sentiment is unfortunately prevalent in the academic circles as well. We must remember that there are also myths in non-European films like Lagaan (the Hong Kong movies that swarm our markets are most guilty of it). As such, a more critical and balanced mindset should be needed in this course less it gets turned into a white man bashing session.
Do you want to be called a native? This word has been used frequently by students to label the local/resident population. We would like to discourage the use of this outdated label as it connotes to the (racist) notions of savagery and cultural simplicity used on people who we do not really understand or who do not conform to our own cultural standards.
Concerning comments that the British used lots of "underhand tactics" to try to win the cricket game in Lagaan ... does complaining to the umpires of breaches in (customary) rules constitute as an underhand tactic? When Tipu was called out for being outside the box, or Yardley hit players while bowling, these were acceptable. The referees were fair in the game (once again following the “rules of civilization”). If there was a clear case of underhand tactics, it was seen in the additional footage of Lagaan when Cpt. Russell detained the Indian team.
Please do not strain our eyes further with "dictionary size fonts": Although we have not imposed any standards on font sizes, we do find the font-sizes of 11-14 more pleasing on our eyes.
One paragraph says all? For those students who have a habit of presenting their projects in one long paragraph, we would appreciate it if you could split it up to smaller paragraphs that could in turn make your project more organised and digestible. However, a paragraph is also not just one sentence. It should convey one idea and an argument.
Good answer:
1) Student has defined the phrase "progress of civilization" indicating whose kind of civilization is he/she is referring to. eg. British civilization or Indian civilization.
2) Student has cited good examples from the film to show HOW progress was shown.
3) Student has shown some personal response as to why he/she feels that British promotion of their civilization was a myth, without having gone overboard into "White Man Bashing"
4) Student has shown some understanding of Rudyard Kipling's "White Man's Burden" and the context in which the film was set.
5) Besides the 2 suggested sports of polo and cricket, student has also used the hunting scene in Lagaan.
Poor Answer:
1) Not answering the questions. There were two questions, but many chose to ignore or touch very little on the use of sports as a metaphor.
2) Still lifting off chunks and phrases from the readings (particularly Sarah Kozloff and Keith Sandiford). eg.
Peachy Carnehan (Michael Caine) and Daniel Dravot (Sean Connery) were two former soldiers, who have declined to return to a lower class livelihood in Victorian England and have instead been engaging in GUN SMUGGLING, BLACKMAIL, PICK-POCKETING and various other acts of SKULLDUGGERY throughout British India.
Some of this was sheer plagiarism without proper footnoting or even a bother to explain how this relates to the question.
3) For all future essays, please “spell check” or read through your answers at least once to avoid glaring mistakes, like:
The British introduced crickets to India.
Lagoon instead of Lagaan.
4) Many students went off tangent and discussed the Man Who Would Be King’s relation to the Vietnam war, etc. While there may be a connection, it is not related to the question asked.
5) Paragraphing and going back to the questions (in a form of addressing them) would make your argument clearer to the marker too.
Updated September 30, 2002.