Notes on a Scandal

Reminder: I expect to see everyone with the book in front of them in class this Monday. Coming to class unprepared affects your participation grade.

Blog post assignment for the week

Answer one of the following questions with a post of about 200 words.

Due Oct 24

1. Barbara’s character is obviously radically changed in the film, but what about Sheba? Contrast the two Shebas. One possible area of focus could be the degree to which the film/book seem to encourage sympathy for her. Another focus could be as to whether the book and film differ in their theory as to why she did it (what she “was thinking”).
2. What techniques does the book use to “clue the reader in” to the idea that Barbara is troubled and unreliable as a narrator? What techniques does the film use?
3. The film made many changes to reinforce its notion of Barbara has dangerously and cruelly manipulative, and these changes arguably distort the book’s original vision of her. Discuss some other changes the film made to the book (NOT related to the villainizing of Barbara) that DO seem successful and necessary (for whatever reason). Explain in what way the change enabled the film to show more effectively or succinctly an aspect of the novel, even while changing it.