You have read Roddy Doyle’s 2007 short story “New Boy,” Download “New Boy,”and you
have viewed the 2007 short film Links to an external site. of the same name, directed by
Steph Green.
LINK TO Steph Green short film
https://www.kanopy.com/en/product/1088112
Roddy Doyle’s Version Added in Attatchments.
While a reader/viewer can expect some narrative consistency across media, filmmakers also make stylistic choices in their adaptations that might veer away from the original to leave their own “stamp” on the story. By identifying where the book and film are similar and different, viewers can analyze the filmmaker’s choices for themes.
Assignment: In a three-page paper:
Compare and/or contrast the narration of the short story and the film
Explain how the filmmaker’s choices establish a theme in the film
Elements of narration worth reviewing for similarities and differences:
Three-act structure
Open vs closed endings
Causal narrative
Diegesis
Plot
Narrator
Restricted vs unrestricted narration
Motifs
Organization options:
(Comparison only) Identify similarities in the narration of the short story and the film and speculate on a relevant theme
(Contrast only) Identify differences in the narration of the short story and the film and speculate on a relevant theme
(Comparison and contrast) Identify both similarities and differences in the narration of the short story and the film and speculate on a relevant theme
Assignment-Specific Requirements:
Minimum 3 pages (Works Cited page does not count)
Use of specific, direct references to elements of both the short story and the film, either through direct quotations, paraphrases, or summaries
Use of relevant narrative terminology, as appropriate (see readings in the Week 3 Module for a refresher)
Properly formatted in MLA style, to include page formatting, parenthetical citations, and a works cited page
Grading Criteria:
Thoughtful organization of essay 10 points
Evaluation of similarities and/or differences 20 points
Sufficient, relevant examples from story and film 30 points
Identified theme 10 points
Appropriate use of narrative terminology 20 points
Proper MLA formatting, usage/mechanics 10 points
Total 100 points
Sample outline for New Boy comparison and contrast essay
Introduction:
Introduce the concept of narration and its importance in both short story and film
Identify New Boy as a short story with a film adaptation
(Thesis) While the diegesis and plot structure of the film are faithful to the short story, the ending differs, establishing a slightly different theme.
Body:
(Paragraph 1) Compare the diegesis of the short story and the film
(Paragraph 2) Compare the plot (three-act) structure of the short story and the film
(Paragraph 3) Contrast the ending of the short story (open) with the film (closed)
Conclusion:
Reflect on the relevance of the similarities and differences between the short story and the film
Theme is slightly different: film theme is more about childhood and growth than trauma and growth
