The Blindside and Of Mice and Men
1. Explain two themes that we focused on from Of Mice and Men? You can also think about others that we didn’t discuss in class too! How might this movie support these themes?
2. Notes on main characters: Write down character traits and significant changes that you notice throughout the story. Keep in mind racial and gender norms/discrimination that we discussed as you write down your details.
Michael “Big Mike” Oher:
Leigh Anne Tuohy:
SJ Tuohy:
Collins Tuohy:
Sean Tuohy:
3. What are the differences between Hurt Village and the suburb? Why does the director set this up in the beginning of the film?
4. What similarities do you see in Big Mike and Lennie? How do others view them? (Yes, I realize that Lennie is mentally handicapped and Mike is not but think of other similarities).
5. Where do you see evidence of people wanting to take care of each other in the film so far? Connect to Of Mice and Men.
6. What is it like when Leigh Anne goes to Michael’s mom’s apartment? What does she learn about him? Connections to Of Mice and Men?
7. How do the ladies at lunch respond to Leigh Anne taking Michael in? Connections to OMaM?
8. What does the test in Michael’s file reveal about him? Do you think this influenced Leigh Anne’s decision to take him in permanently? Why/why not?
9. What does Michael reveal about himself when Leigh Anne shows him his new room? Why does she get so upset? Why do you think he decides not to go in and talk to her? OMaM connections?
10. Shawn says, “Michael’s gift is his ability to forget.” What does that mean to you? Is it a good policy? Is there some Lennie in that statement?
11. Denise Oher says Michael’s a runner. What does she mean? Connections to OMaM?
12. What idea does the woman put into Michael’s head? Does it remind you of any conversations in OMaM? How are they similar?
13. What’s the significance of the poem, “Into the Light Brigade”? What does it mean to Michael? What does it say about courage and honor?
14. Both the film and the novel deal with hope and dreams. Why is Michael able to achieve his dream? Why are Lennie and George unable to? What separates them?
15. Explain how this movie either compares/contrasts in its depiction of gender and race. Think beyond the obvious!
Gender Race
16. How do the themes of lonliness/isolation and group mentality vs. individuals compare and contrast between this film and Of Mice and Men? (I realize that these are two separate themes but they do tend to go together).
Of Mice and Men The Blindside
17. This movie is specifically supposed to end happy and hopeful. However, there are downsides to this film. Why would some say that it is unrealistic and/or demeaning to some?