What does it mean to be human? 2001: A Space Odyssey – Jupiter scene During viewing questions

1. What does it mean to be human? 2001: A Space Odyssey – Jupiter scene During viewing questions Key events Relationships and Conflict Setting Characters The seven stages of grief Genre Music as a key technique Symbols Important ideas/Themes Response to text essay structure

2. Return to front page What does it mean to be human?What is it about us that makes us people and sets us apart from other creatures or objects? As the audience of Duncan Jones’ Moon, we are forced to consider the idea of what it means to be human. This is a concept which has been discussed and debated, for many interesting ethical reasons, throughout the history of mankind. It is a challenging concept that authors and directors like to present in their work, often in sophisticated and engaging ways. Some, like the 17th century French philosopher Descartes, believed we can argue that because we think, or have the capacity to contemplate our existence, we therefore exist. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cogito_ergo_sum Kierkegaard and Nietzsche, in the 19th century, are regarded as the founders of the existential school of thought, claiming that philosophy should “deal with the conditions of existence of the individual person and their emotions, actions, responsibilities, and thoughts” . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existentialism Modern debate surrounding the issue of what it means to be human is often centred around advances in science, for example stem cell research and cloning, or other similar ethical issues like abortion and euthanasia. http://www.consciencelaws.org/Examining-Conscience-Ethical/Ethical46.html http://www.wired.com/medtech/health/news/2003/02/57791 For our class brainstorm, click here A further issue presented in the film is the emotional challenge presented by long periods of isolation. In the case of those in space for extended lengths of time, this is sometimes referred to as Space Madness. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x91e3a_ren-and-stimpy-space-madness_fun From Wikipedia: Space Madness is a theoretical mental condition that could occur when humans live in isolation, with limited human contact, in cramped quarters for very long time periods, specifically onboard a spacecraft in outer space. Although a range of mental effects from homicidal insanity to grumpiness have been suggested, studies of humans in such conditions (scientifically induced isolation, submarines, space stations, etc) have usually showed an increase in irritability and depression. For an excellent review of Moon, see: http://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/12/review-moon/ For the trailer, see: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi843186969/

3. Return to front page What is it that makes us human?Ideas from our class discussion • We are capable of expressing emotions and feelings • Physical features and being born from two parents • Brain dead people? We take away their right to live by turning off life support. To be human, you need to be able to control your own body and mind. • Communism tells us that you are a non-person if you do not contribute to society. Who in our democratic society would we view as inhuman? • Why do we not clone? We would lose our individuality. Individuality is an important part of what makes us human. • Animals follow their instincts and we are more developed socially than that. • Are those without remorse seen as inhuman? • We seek more than we need

4. Return to front page 2001: A Space OdysseyMission to Jupiter This is a famous scene in the Science Fiction genre. The effects created by Stanley Kubrick are remarkable given the film was created in 1968. The key characters we see interacting in the scene are mission pilots and scientists Dr David Bowman and Dr Frank Poole, and the computer HAL. HAL is in command of the vessel and interacts with the pilots in a very human manner. After watching the scene, consider the following points: What reasons are there for giving HAL the ability to interact socially with the crew? Who is to blame for what happens? What reasons do you have for your answer? HAL expresses fear at the end of the scene. He has behaved in a calculated and rational manner up to this point. Why might Kubrick have introduced this element to his “personality”? What fears might we have for the future as a result of watching this scene and others that have similar themes about the potential use of technology?

5. Return to front page Relationships/Conflict • Inner conflict within Old Sam • External conflicts/relationships • Old Sam and New Sam • Old Sam and Gerty • The conflict between the needs of the many and the needs of the individual

6. Return to front page Setting • The Moon • The Lunar Industries base • The future as a dystopia

7. Return to front page Characters • Old Sam • New Sam • Minor characters: Gerty and Eve

8. Return to front page Key events/scenes • Advertisement for Lunar industries • Introduction to Sam - Exposition • New Sam finding Old Sam • The Sams discovering the bank of clones • Old Sam speaks with his daughter • New Sam leaves the moon

9. Return to front page Important ideas • The needs of the many can be seen to outweigh the needs of the individual • What it means to be human • A vision of a possible future • The effects of isolation

10. Back to conflict page Conflict – Inner conflict within Old Sam

11. Back to conflict page Relationship/conflict between Old Sam and New Sam

12. Back to conflict page Relationship/conflict between Old Sam and Gerty

13. Back to important ideas page Back to conflict page Conflict between the needs of the many and the needs of the individual

14. Back to Setting page The setting of the moon

15. Back to Setting page The setting of the Lunar Industries base

16. Back to Setting page Setting: the future, depicted as a dystopia

17. Return to front page Use of symbols

18. Back to Character page Old Sam

19. Back to Character page New Sam

20. Back to Character page Minor characters: Gerty and EveGerty can be viewed as the antithesis of HAL from Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. For a discussion of this contrast, click here

21. Return to front page The seven stages of grief Old Sam goes through a grieving process for his lost life. The seven stages of grief are said to be: • Shock and denial • Pain and guilt • Anger and bargaining • Depression, reflection and loneliness • The upward turn • Reconstruction and working through • Acceptance and hope For at least three of these stages, record an example of Old Sam presenting these emotions.

22. Back to Key Events page Advertisement for Lunar IndustriesWhat happens in this scene?How are these techniques used and what do they help us to understand?

23. Back to Key Events page Exposition – meeting SamWhat happens in this scene?How are these techniques used and what do they help us to understand?

24. Back to Key Events page Old Sam meets New SamWhat happens in this scene?How are these techniques used and what do they help us to understand?

25. Back to Key Events page The Sams discover the bank of clonesWhat happens in this scene?How are these techniques used and what do they help us to understand?

26. Back to Key Events page Old Sam speaks with Eve, his daughterWhat happens in this scene?How are these techniques used and what do they help us to understand?

27. Back to Key Events page New Sam leaves the moonWhat happens in this scene?How are these techniques used and what do they help us to understand?

28. Return to front page Genre – Science Fiction • Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with the impact of imagined innovations in science or technology, often in a futuristic setting. Exploring the consequences of such innovations is the traditional purpose of science fiction, making it a "literature of ideas". • Science fiction is largely based on writing rationally about alternative possibilities. It is similar to, but differs from fantasy in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically established or scientifically postulated laws of nature (though some elements in a story might still be pure imaginative speculation). • The settings for science fiction are often contrary to known reality but the majority of science fiction relies on a considerable degree of suspension of disbelief, which is facilitated in the reader's mind by potential scientific explanations or solutions to various fictional elements. These may include: • A setting in the future, in alternative timelines, or in an historical past that contradicts known facts of history or the archaeological record • A setting in outer space, on other worlds, or involving aliens • Stories that involve technology or scientific principles that contradict known laws of nature • Stories that involve discovery or application of new scientific principles, such as time travel or psionics, or new technology, such as nanotechnology, faster-than-light travel or robots, or of new and different political or social systems (e.g., a dystopia, or a situation where organized society has collapsed) Thanks Wikipedia! Having considered these elements, in what ways does Moon conform with/deviate from this genre?

29. Back to front page Music as a key technique • When discussing music in your response to text essay, your marker is looking for a specific description • Useful elements to discuss could be: • Volume • Pace/tempo • Instruments used • Changes or developments in the music • Key: major (happy) or minor (sad) • The music as part of a theme used throughout the film • The action the music is supporting • The mood the music helps to create To see useful descriptions of the music from the film, click here

30. Back to front page Reviews of the Moon soundtrack “Moon offers two themes. One is an isolated piano theme that is simple but effective. It serves as the main identifier of the character and his lunar habitat. I feel its simplicity represents the loneliness of the predicament quite well and also offers a slice of mystery to it. “The second theme is grounded more in the humanity of the character and his family. It swells dramatically, intended to bring out the emotional component (which it succeeds at doing). Aside from these two notables, there is also another nice touch included on this score and that is the motif that is heard to represent the secrets of the underground chamber on the Moon's station. Its sort of an odd, creepy lullaby that is perhaps the most ingenious moment on the album.” http://scorenotes.com/soundtracks/moon.html “The two-note theme of this score is repeated throughout, echoing the two main characters (if you will), almost revolving around each other … Here, Clint (Mansell, the musician who created the score for the film) manages to make tangible the feeling of desolation and loneliness that pervades throughout the first act of the film. It's almost as if you're inside Sam's head, losing your sanity along with him.” http://www.amazon.com/Moon-Clint-Mansell/product-reviews/B002FG9NLY/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1 See also http://www.soundspheremag.com/reviews/54-cd/666-cd-review-moon-original-score-by-clint-mansellfor a great review of all tracks on the soundtrack album. The use of instruments and the mood they create are well explained.

31. Back to Important Ideas page What it means to be human

32. Back to Important Ideas page The future as a dystopia

33. Back to Important Ideas page The effects of isolation

34. Return to front page Response to text essay • Introduction: • Should be about 4 sentences. • Include keywords from the question. • Write the name of the writer and underline the title of the text. • Outline the points you will cover in the essay. • Impress the marker with sophisticated vocabulary. • Paragraphs: • T topic sentence • E examples • E explanation (these two “Es” are interchangable) • P purpose • E effect • E evaluation • Conclusion: • Should be about 4 sentences • Recaps the main points of your argument • Present your personal response/evaluation to the question of character, setting, theme… To see an example of a TEEPEE paragraph, click here

35. Back to Response to Text page TEEPEE paragraph: Catcher in the Rye • T Salinger’s use of 1950’s American colloquialism makes Holden Caulfield a convincing character who experiences convincing emotions. • E Holden refers to many things and people as “phoney” or “crumby.” • E He is a negative and often self-indulgent character who is quick to judge and dismiss those who he sees as materialistic and lacking in compassion, for example his roommate at Pency Prep, Stradlater. • P Salinger condemned society as superficial and conformist, indeed “phoney.” He was criticised and banned for this • E These adjectives are outdated and unfamiliar to a modern New Zealand reader but one can fully realise that Holden is a convincing teenager existing in a real post-war New York society. • E As a teenager who also sometimes feels frustration with the world, I enjoyed Holden’s honest and brave ‘attacks’ on whatever or whoever crosses him. Although he uses words I don’t normally, I think Holden is a believable and credible character; his emotions and motivations make sense to me. Similarly, the language he uses makes his world convincing. (Stolen from Kate Meade. HoD English, Northcote College) For a structured response to text essay task on the development of character in Moon, click here