download this page<\/a> as an Adobe (pdf) document The objects that appear behind the opening credits include a pocket watch, harmonica,\u00a0pearl necklace, whistle, marbles, and a child’s drawing of a bird- items that gain meaning\u00a0as the story unfolds. The sequence is a good introduction for the story’s symbolism and themes.\u00a0It also shows (to quote Harper Lee again) how a film can have “a life of its own as a work of art.” ACTIVITY Some items seen in opening \u00a0Describe the scene Symbolism meaning or representing<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n <\/span><\/td>\n <\/span><\/td>\n <\/span><\/td>\n <\/span><\/td>\n <\/span><\/td>\n <\/span><\/td>\n The man responsible for the look of the opening credits.<\/a><\/p>\n Symbolism continued<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>
\n<\/b><\/span>“When we read with our students, we often point out all of the relevant\u00a0and important symbols in a story or a novel….We assume that students\u00a0cannot pick up on a symbol on the first read-through, and that may be true,\u00a0since for a symbol to be truly a symbol, it must be repeated throughout a work,\u00a0though students may have difficulty picking out symbols because they do not\u00a0understand the purpose or the function of symbols…so we need to help students\u00a0see how artists use various techniques to get the audience to\u00a0recognize\u00a0that something is, in fact, a symbol.”1\u00a0
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\nSymbolism\/Meaning
\n<\/span><\/b>“After we have isolated a symbol, we must interpret it, that is, match the\u00a0symbol with a meaning that has been previously learned. For example, we\u00a0memorize the definitions of words and the conventions of grammar and\u00a0expression to be able to read. From our experience listening to radio, we know\u00a0that certain sounds signal the lead-in to\u00a0 news, certain voices convey humor\u00a0or seriousness, certain sounds convey danger or silliness. With television or film,\u00a0we learn the meaning of flashback, an extreme close-up on a character’s face, character stereotypes, and what to expect in the unfolding sequence of a\u00a0detective show. We have learned to connect certain symbols with certain meanings.”2\u00a0
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\n<\/span>Symbolism In The Opening Credits of To Kill A Mockingbird
\n<\/i><\/b><\/span>NEW<\/b><\/span>: Watch the opening credits<\/a>\/ read about them here<\/a><\/span>
\nListen to Stephen Frankfurt:<\/a> the man who produced the opening credit sequence<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
\n \n ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/symbol2.gif\")
<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/titlegraphtkam.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/td>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/stopwatch.gif\")
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n \n ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/symbol3.gif\")
<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/symbol4.gif\")
<\/p>\n<\/td>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.frankwbaker.com\/symbol5.gif\")
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\nNotice how the camera moves in, like a child’s vision, to close-ups of these valued objects,\u00a0tracking from left to right along the row of treasures carefully arranged. Notice how the nostalgic\u00a0music and humming of a child create a mood. And notice what happens to the drawing at the end\u00a0of the sequence.\u00a0\u00a03\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/b>Students should pay careful attention to the opening sequence in the film.
\nSome of the objects are pictured above. Using the chart (below) students
\nshould complete the form. For each symbol, students should determine:
\nwhat is happening in the scene with the object and what it might mean or represent.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
\n \n
\ncredits of the film \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n
\nin which the item is seen\/heard\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n \n pocket watch<\/p>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n harmonica<\/p>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n pearl necklace<\/p>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n whistle<\/p>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n marbles<\/p>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n drawing of a bird<\/p>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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