Your fourth critical essay, on Andrei Tarkovsky’s Ivan’s Childhood, will be due at the beginning of class Tuesday, October 17. It must be typed (double-spaced) and 500-1,000 words (2-4 pp.) in length. No additional research is necessary for this assignment.
The task at hand is to focus on close analysis of Ivan’s Childhood in order to evaluate what the film tells us about the past and how it contributes to historical consciousness. Style is important, but in this context, only to the extent that it helps or hinders communication of the main historical themes.
This is a short essay about a complex film, so you will need to select one historical theme or issue on which to focus and explain the reason for your choice very succinctly in your introductory paragraph. You may wish to analyze:
(If you have any doubts about whether your idea is sufficiently historical, all you have to do is ask me!)
You will also need to be selective about the number of episodes or sequences that you use to support your points, but one episode will never be enough. If you can only think of one episode to support your point, it is not important enough to write about. Of course you may draw on the class discussion of Ivan’s Childhood, but you also need to demonstrate your ability to analyze parts of the movie that we did not discuss (or see) in class. Therefore, do not focus entirely, or even mainly, on the “knife scene”!
Your essay will be evaluated on the quality of your writing as well as on the quality of your ideas. Effective written communication depends on correct spelling, grammar, and syntax, punctuation, and organization.
The essay is worth 5 percent of your grade. The late penalty is 10% per day, including weekends. No Ivan’s Childhood essays will be accepted after October 24.