Avatar Writing Assignment/Final Exam

“Everything is backwards now, like out there is the true world, and in here is the dream.”

Directions: Write your responses to the following questions on a separate piece of paper. Write
in complete sentences. Be as thorough as possible. Cite specific scenes and examples from the
film as often as possible. Use your own judgment on length, quality is better than quantity. (All
questions relate to the film Avatar, directed by James Cameron)

1. Summarize the plot of the film in one paragraph or less. Avatar is about an ex-military man
named Jake Sully, who falls in love with the Na’vi people and their way of life. So much so that
he becomes one of them. He originally starts off working for Colonel Miles Quaritch in order to
destroy the Na’vi’s home tree; to get access to an unobtanium mine. Along the way Jake meets
Neytiti whom he falls in love with. She takes him in because of a sign from Ewya, and teaches
him the ways of the Na’vi people. He becomes connected to the Na’vi people and their beliefs.
In the end he switches sides and chooses to fight with the Na’vi, instead of his own kind. When
Colonel Quaritch destroyed the home tree, the Na’vi people, including Neytiti, cast Jake out as
an outsider. He earns their trust back by riding in on the back of the great leonopteryx, also
known as toruk; “the last shadow”, to the Na’vi people. He brings the clans of Pandora together
in order to fight against his people. He leads and ends up winning the fight, on the side of the
Na’vi. He truly becomes one with the people, by going through Eywa and entering his avatar
body, permanently.

2. Describe the main external conflict. How is it introduced in the beginning? How does it grow
in tension and suspense to reach the battle scenes at the end? The main conflict begins when
the SecOps want to take an unobtanium mine, located underneath the Na’vi peoples home tree.
Originally Jake is introduced as a mole working for Colonel Quaritch, in order to get close to the
Na’vi people. He does this while being under the supervision of Grace, head of research of
studying the Na’vi people. He ends up growing to become one of the people, and chooses to
fight on the side of the Na’vi, after seeing his people destroy their home. Tensions rise, while
Jake is also in love with one of the people, Neytiri who is already promised to soon to be clan
leader Tsu’tey.

3. Describe the main internal conflict. What does Jake Sully struggle with emotionally, spiritually,
morally, and philosophically? How does he change and grow from the beginning of the film to
the end of the film? Jake ends up growing into a new person, and becomes one with the Na’vi
people. He starts off with no connection to the people, and only follows his orders. But he starts
to form a connection to the people, especially to Neytiri, who he falls in love with. He also has
an internal conflict with the orders that he’s following from Colonel Quaritch. He struggles with
choosing between his people and the Na'vi people.

4. What is the setting of the film? Describe in detail the visual appearance of Pandora. Describe
the different areas portrayed in the film (the floating mountains, Home Tree, etc.), the plants and
animals, etc. Be sure to include details about the special effects, use of color, lighting effects,
etc. This film‘s main aspect stems from the visuals of Pandora. The people behind this movie
have created an entire world with its own culture, people, animals, ecosystem. The film takes
place in the middle of a thick jungle, with giant trees casting shade over the thick brush and
wildlife. And at night the entire forest lights up from bioluminescence. With vibrant colors of
purple, blues, oranges and more. Each place shown in the movie has a special meaning and
entire backstory to it. Home tree is a gigantic tree with a spiral going through the center, which is
used by the Na’vi people to get around. The floating mountains are home to mountain
banshees, floating miles above the surface. Pandora has so much life to offer.

5. How does the setting affect the plot? While the setting may be beautiful it can also cause
struggles for Jake Sully, such as the danger that Pandora holds. Jake faces a Hammerhead
Titanothere, who he had to stand his ground with, a Thanator, where he barely escaped death
and more. The setting also creates an atmosphere for not only the characters, but the audience
as well to experience, and fully immerse themselves in Pandora.

6. How does the setting contribute to the conflict and its resolution? The setting contributes to
the conflict and its resolution through the fight over Pandora. The Na’vi people are there to
protect their home while the humans are trying to destroy and rape the land. The humans and
the Na’vi people have to also deal with the dangerous creatures that inhabit Pandora.

7. How believable was the setting? Did Pandora seem real enough to you to believe the plot
and conflict? Name three scenes that contributed to either your belief or disbelief in the
fantasy-reality Cameron attempted to create. Avatar fully immerses its audience into not only the
storyline but the world of Pandora as well. In the scenes where Jake is learning the way of the
Na'vi people with Neytiri, you can feel and experience their culture. Especially when Jake must
kill and release an animal's spirit, you can appreciate how sacred life is to the Na’vi. And when
Jake must form a bond with a Banshee in order to become one with the people. We can also
see this through their deity, Eway and the tree of souls. In a specific heartbreaking scene where
grace is taken by Ewya, you can feel the past ancestors of the Na’vi people. The movie does a
great job at immersing you into the Na’vi people’s way of life.

8. Comment on the special effects for the action scenes: running and leaping through the
forests, the dragon-flying scenes, and the battle scenes, either between the people/Na’vi and
the animals or between the people/Na’vi and the military, etc. How did they create and/or film
the effects? Did you feel like a part of the action? Did the action feel real and believable? How
do these effects contribute to the plot of the story and the theme of the film? (Use your
knowledge from Chapter Four and Five from the textbook, as well as our general discussions of
cinematic techniques during the semester.)

9. Why is it titled Avatar? The movie is titled Avatar in reference to the avatar bodies that they
use to go into Pandora.

10. What does Jake’s avatar symbolize for him in the beginning of the film? Name one scene
that best shows this symbolism. Jake's avatar body symbolizes his freedom when he enters it.
Since he is paralyzed from the legs down he is unable to use his legs. Through his avatar body
he is able to use his legs again. We can see this in the scene where he first enters his avatar
body, and he starts running.

11. How does Jake change from just using his avatar to being one of the Na’vi? How does he
earn the trust and acceptance of the Na’vi? Jake learns the ways of the Na’vi people through
Neytiri. He learns their culture, religion, beliefs and way of life. Even when he is cast out, he
earns their trust back by flying in on the back of a great leonopteryx. He fights with the Na’vi
people against his own people. Until finally he fully enters his avatar body permanently through
Ewya.

12. Describe how each of the four environmental factors of the setting play a significant role in
the plot and theme development: (See Chapter Four)
a. Temporal factors: We can see that the movie is set to be in the future, based on the
technology that the military uses and the planet Pandora.

b. Geographical Factors: Pandora is made up of many different terrain. Where Jake finds
Neytiri, it’s mostly made up of a thick lush rainforest. Which inhabits many different evolved
species. In this climate we can expect more humid conditions. We can also see further east
where the Tayrangi Clan inhabits the eastern sea. Even the floating mountains, which deny the
laws of gravity.

c. Social Structures and Economic Factors: We can see that the Na’vi people’s form of
government consists of clan positions. Such as Eytukan who is the clan leader of the Omaticaya
clan.

d. Customs, Moral Attitudes, and Codes of Behavior:

13. Describe how the film could be an analogy for US Colonialism, Manifest Destiny, and our
intrusion into the Native American culture.The Na’vi people have their own entire culture and
customs.Their weapons of choice include bow and arrows and spears. They also dress in tribal
clothing, which relate to each position. For example the clan leader, Eytukan, wears clothing
that shows his position as clan leader. They also have a sacred deity named Ewya, as well as a
religious site, the tree of souls. They believe everything the earth has to offer is sacred and that
everything is connected. Humans try to colonize their home, in order to rape their land. This
symbolizes what we did to the Native Americans. We colonized and stole their land, and now
celebrate a holiday, Thanksgiving, dedicated to that.

14. What does the film suggest about human nature? How human is the behavior of the Na’vi?
How do the actions and reactions of the Na’vi compare to the actions and reactions of the
individual human characters and/or the military? The Na’vi appreciate everything the land has to
offer and see that everything is connected. While the humans, military, only see what they can
gain from others, by taking from their land. To me, the Na’vi are not “human” because human
behavior consists of taking what you want at the cost of others.
15. Comment on the concept of the “unobtanium” in the film. What is ironic about its name?
What does it symbolize for the scientists in the film? For the corporate investors? For the Na’vi?
What’s ironic about the unobtainium, is that its name literally stems from unobtainable. This
mineral is what stems from the invasion of the military into Pandora. What it symbolizes to
scientists is research and opening new opportunities. To the Na’vi it’s just seen as a small part
that’s connected to everything else. While, to the military it’s seen as something they can take
and profit from.

16. Although a director may attempt to do several things with a film, one goal usually stands out
as most important. Decide which one of the following was James Cameron’s main goal in
Avatar, and give reasons for your choice, with examples from the film.

a. Providing pure entertainment, an escape from the real world: Cameron definitely nails this
goal, with the visuals and atmosphere of Pandora. He creates a dream-like world that we can
escape to. He creates an entirely new world filled with evolved species, nature, and inhabitants.
He fully immerses the viewer into a world of wonder and mystery.
b. Creating a single emotional mood or effect
c. Creating a unique feel and texture, a one-of-a-kind film experience
d. Criticizing society and social institutions, increasing awareness of a social problem and the
need for reform
e. Providing insights into human nature
f. Creating a moral or philosophical riddle for the viewer to ponder
g. Dramatizing one or more characters’ struggle for human dignity against tremendous odds
h. Exploring the complex problems and pleasures of human relationships
i. Providing insight into a growth experience, with situations and conflicts that cause important
changes in the character(s).

17. Which of the items from the previous question seem important enough to serve as a
secondary goal for Cameron? Give reasons for your choice, with examples from the film. I would
say that a secondary goal would definitely be criticizing society and social institutions,
increasing awareness of a social problem and the need for reform. We can see this clearly
through the military trying to colonize the Na'vis land. This correlates to America's history of
colonizing the Native Americans.

18. In your opinion, what is the overall theme of Avatar? Name three scenes from the film that
most strongly suggested this theme to you. The overall theme of Avatar to me is a critique on
human behavior. We can see this in the plot of humans wanting to take what’s not theirs, in
order to profit. For example when the military destroys the Na’vis home tree in order to steal
from them. We can also see this when they try to colonize the Na’vi and teach them “their ways”
and wonder why they become hostile. It’s a critique on American butting into where they don’t
belong. It’s also interesting to see if humans are able to change, which we can see through Jake
Sullys growth throughout the movie. Especially in the scene where he watches his people
destroy the tree of souls, which is where he chooses to be on the side of the Na’vi.
19. Decide whether you think the film’s theme is intellectually or philosophically interesting, or
self-evident and boring. Defend your decision with examples from the film. I think the film's
theme is philosophically interesting. Cameron centers the plot around internal conflict. We can
see this in Jake Sully's character. He originally starts off working to destroy the Na’vi people, but
ends up becoming one in the end. This opens us up to the question if humans are actually
capable of change. We can see Jake's internal struggle throughout his video logs. We see the
detached approach of the military’s response to the Na’vi people through destruction.
Throughout history humans have taken what we wanted without any remorse. Although in the
movie we see the internal struggle of Jake Sully, which allows us to see if humans are capable
of change.

20. Does the film have the potential to be a classic? Will people still be watching it in 2039? (30
years after its release?) Why or Why Not? This movie is, and will always be a classic. Not only
is it visually stunning, but the plot pulls the viewer in. This movie is a cinematic masterpiece and
is so extensive, that it never becomes boring.

Extra Credit:

1. If you’ve seen Dances with Wolves, with Kevin Costner, write a comparison between the two
films. How are the two main characters alike? Are the themes of the films similar?
a. Both films won an Oscar/Academy Award for Best Picture. Why do you think this is so?

2. Describe how Avatar could be an analogy to the US War on Terror.

a. Does Jake Sully count as a “Sleeper Cell”, or merely a spy?

3. If you were going to be stranded on an island for five years and could only bring 10 movies
with you, would Avatar be on your list? Why or Why Not? If this island had cable, I would want to
watch Avatar. Being stranded on a desert island can be boring, but watching Avatar would pass
the time. There is so much in the movie, that I feel like every time you watch it you would find
something new to appreciate.