Analysis of a passage and its film translation, requiring you to (re)read the passage, watch the clip, and answer questions about the two.
Read the passage, watch the clip, and then answer questions about the two.
Passage from Northanger abbey chapter 24, clip from Northanger abbey 2007.
Passage :
Her agitation as they entered the great gallery was too much for any
endeavor at discourse; she could only look at her companion. Eleanor’s
countenance was dejected, yet sedate; and its composure spoke her inured
to all the gloomy objects to which they were advancing. Again she passed
through the folding doors, again her hand was upon the important lock,
and Catherine, hardly able to breathe, was turning to close the former
with fearful caution, when the figure, the dreaded figure of the general
himself at the further end of the gallery, stood before her! The name of
“Eleanor” at the same moment, in his loudest tone, resounded through the
building, giving to his daughter the first intimation of his presence,
and to Catherine terror upon terror. An attempt at concealment had been
her first instinctive movement on perceiving him, yet she could
scarcely hope to have escaped his eye; and when her friend, who with an
apologizing look darted hastily by her, had joined and disappeared
with him, she ran for safety to her own room, and, locking herself
in, believed that she should never have courage to go down again. She
remained there at least an hour, in the greatest agitation, deeply
commiserating the state of her poor friend, and expecting a summons
herself from the angry general to attend him in his own apartment. No
summons, however, arrived; and at last, on seeing a carriage drive up
to the abbey, she was emboldened to descend and meet him under the
protection of visitors. The breakfast-room was gay with company; and
she was named to them by the general as the friend of his daughter, in
a complimentary style, which so well concealed his resentful ire, as to
make her feel secure at least of life for the present. And Eleanor,
with a command of countenance which did honor to her concern for his
character, taking an early occasion of saying to her, “My father only
wanted me to answer a note,” she began to hope that she had either been
unseen by the general, or that from some consideration of policy she
should be allowed to suppose herself so. Upon this trust she dared still
to remain in his presence, after the company left them, and nothing
occurred to disturb it.
Video Clip : Watch from one hour three minutes and twenty two seconds (1:03:22) to one hour four minutes and fifty three seconds (1:04:53).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqrfXsDshqg&list=PL2Rkp5dm_ohPq7US63WDtnhdsZA15j3GH&index=2
In the paragraphs answer these questions:
What is happening in the passage? 1-2 sentences
What is distinctive or important about it? (This can refer to the entire book, but it doesn’t have to! It can just be some aspect of the passage itself.)
What differences do you notice from the page to the screen?
What is distinctive or meaningful about the clip in terms of story elements like theme or emphasis?
What is distinctive about the clip in terms of visual and other choices? Here’s a chance to note anything distinctive in terms of composition, lighting, acting, set, sound, or anything else striking. No technical terms needed!
What is your overall assessment of how page and screen relate? Please don’t emphasize “which did it better” but the distinctive qualities of each.
Any thoughts on the decisions the film team made are welcome too.
NOTE: the conversation with Eleanor in this clip is in Chapter 22; while you dont need to read or use the chapters preceding this passage, you may want to consider that this is the second attempt Eleanor makes to show Catherine her mothers room.
