After The First is a parable - a story that has a moral or teaches a lesson. To figure out the moral of the film, first ask yourself what lesson Steve's father and mother wanted him to learn? Second, what do you think Steve actually learned?
Then discuss what the film taught you.
54 comments:
I think that Steve's mom did not think that he was ready to go learn how to shoot a rifle and go hunting with his dad. I think that Steve's father was excited for Steve to learn how to shoot a rifle and become a "man". Steve learned that it is hard to go against the group (his father in this case) and to do what he thinks is right. He had his father talking in his ear telling him to shoot even though you can tell by his hesitation that he wasn't okay with his decision to shoot the rabbit. What I learned from this short film was that it indeed is hard to go against the group, but you must, in order to keep your true identity. By doing what you want to do and not what others are forcing you to do, represents what kind of person you are. Steve is at such a young age, but as you get older I feel like it is easier to part yourself from "the group". Therefore, slowly you begin to gain your own identity, and not let "the group" define you.
I could see that the father was excited to show his son one of his lifelong passions, which was hunting. Steve’s mother was correct in saying that he wasn’t ready to go out with his father. Even though Steve thought it was wrong to shoot the rabbit, he did anyways because his father was cheering him on and he was excited for his son to have his moment. I can relate to this because I have experienced times in my life when my dad was excited about doing something I wasn’t thrilled about. However, I ended up joining my dad to make him happy since I have a good relationship with him.
I agree with Krystle because I believe that Steve learned that it is hard to go up against a group. Peer pressure is something that would get a person to kill a rabbit even when they don't think it is right. I also agree because I think that as a person gets older, it is easier for them to make their own decisions and stand up for their own beliefs.
Steve's father wanted him to learn the lesson that hunting is just part of the natural cycle of life. I felt that his father was also teaching him, in his eyes, what it meant to be a man, and to be able to deal early on with the complexity of death. It seemed to me that his mother wanted him to learn to respect nature and animals, because of her reluctance to have him go so young. It was obvious that he was physically ready; he could hold and shoot the rifle just fine, yet emotionally, he did not fully understand the concept of taking another life. This was seen in the film with his rising excitement building up until he was eye to eye with the rabbit, but then realized that it was not so fun to blow up an innocent creature, as he had blown up the stump. I think that Steve actually learned that taking a life is not easy or leisure, but a sacrifice that must be made for the greater good, and should be done sparingly. This was seen at the end of the film where he says "is two enough?" because he felt bad and did not want to waste the lives of any more rabbits. He also seemed to learn that a gun was not a play thing, and that there were real consequences to his actions when he chose to use its power.
I myself, being raised a vegetarian, have always been opposed to hunting. I always thought it was stupid, wrong, and pointless. This film taught me that it is not completely pointless, and that it can be a learning and bonding experience. Although I felt that Steve was not yet ready to shoot the rabbit, he also matured in many ways by doing it. He realized that there were certain things in life that he had to sacrifice for the greater good, like the rabbit for his father's acceptance and appreciation. It also taught me that hunters are not just cold-hearted people who want to kill things, but for many people hunting is an essential part of their culture and identity.
I agree with Mike. Dads often encourage their kids to do things that they like, even if their kids don't like them. If my dad was a hunter, I could definitely see him doing this. I felt like his dad should not have pressured him so much into taking the shot, maybe have seen that he wasn't really ready, and told him that he could wait until he was.
Steve’s father wanted his son to have the same experience that he had as a child. It’s a rite of passage for Steve. Steve’s father wants to raise his son to be a man. Steve’s mother however wants to conserve Steve’s innocence and believes that Steve shouldn’t go hunting yet. Steve himself learned a life lesson and is on his way to manhood. In the future you will have to deal with situations that have to do with death. Death should be viewed as a natural thing even though it can take away a person we hold dear to ourselves. Steve is beginning to mature and realize the world isn’t all rainbows, and unicorns. Sadly, children lose their innocence once life has roughed them up, although sometimes children are forced to mature too quickly and they totally lose their innocence. With time comes maturity and experience, Steve now has this experience of taking the life of a small animal. It shows us the cruel world we live in and how we have to fight for our lives every day.
Ethan brings up a good point on how it feels to take a life. Even though Steve didn't want to do it,It's just how life works out.You have to survive somehow.
I think Steve's mom wanted him to stay young and niave. She thought she would be able to do this by protecting him from hunting but he ended up going with his dad because it meant a lot for Steve's father to have a special bond with his son. Steve learned that the reality of some things in life aren't as great as they seem. He was really excited about going hunting and he was thrilled to be a good shot, but he couldn't handle actually killing something just ot impress his dad. Steve is at such an impressionable age so his actions just prove that it's human nature to want to fit in and be part of something bigger than yourself. However, I think he will be able to stand up and do what he wants to later in life.
I agree with Krystle because she said it takes time for you to figure out who you are and "gain your own identity". It's part of growing up and at some point in their life, everyone does something just to fit in.
I understand where the father was coming from in wanting to share something that he loves with his son, but it is clear that Steve was not ready to handle killing an animal yet. His dad meant no harm in bringing Steve along and obviously understood his excitement for the trip as a sign that he was ready for it. The dad did inadvertantly put pressure on Steve to shoot the rabbit, but I don't think he was at fault because Steve must have had some idea what he was getting into and the father couldn't have known how it would effect him.
I agree with mike about how a dad can sometimes push his son into certain things because he wants to share that experience with them. I think that the father's excitement for his son to come and hunt with him is what ultimately led to the father overlooking Steve's hesitence to kill an animal. THe father was at fault in that repect because he let his excitement at bonding with his son overshadow what was best for his son.
After watching the film: After The First, it was very clear what the mother wanted and what the father wanted Steve to learn. His mother wanted him not go and learn how to hunt with his father because the mother thinks he is to young. Steve's father wanted him to learn how to hunt like he did when he was around Steve's age to become a man. I think Steve learned that shooting tree stumps is on thing and it is another thing to shoot and take a living animals life. He learns that he is not ready to hunt and kill real animals. The film taught me that you should really want for something to feel like the right time to do it. I feel this because in the movie Steve over here's his parents arguing about him going out hunting and he ends up going to please his dad. It has taught me to stand up for my self and not to do anything I am not ready for. Also not to try and please anyone but myself.
I was absent for this film
I agree with Krystle Armand. That it is easier to part from a group when your older because you learn that fitting in is a little bit over rated. Also I agree with what the parents wanted Steve to learn and how Steve did not want to shoot the rabbit but he did to please his father.
I agree with Krystle, I think the mom was not a fan of Steve learning to hunt -essentially the same thing as killing- at such a young age. On the other hand, it seems that hunting is a "right of passage" in Steve's family, and his father thought of him capable enough to hunt. Though Steve looked genuinely excited at the beginning of the film, I think his attitude changed when he saw his father shoot the rabbit. Kids are, for the most part, attracted to life- living things such as animals, bugs, other people. To see something so lively die was shocking to him.
I think that Steve learned that just because hunting seems to be a staple in the family, it doesn't mean he has to agree with it. We don't know what happens to Steve after he shoots the rabbit, but I predict that he won't go hunting again. My favorite line in the entire film was when Steve shot the bunny. The go to grab it an he asks his father, "Is two enough?" I thought that was really powerful, and kind of showed how his viewpoints changed.
Personally, the film did not teach me a lesson I haven't learned before, but it was an example of how sometimes it's just too hard to go against the group. In the end, Steve did kill the rabbit due to the pressure from his- he did take a life. However, it is not to say that Steve will not recover from that "trauma". When I place myself in Steve's shoes, I feel as though he learned a valuable lesson about choices.
I felt like his mother didn’t want him to go out and hunt and possibly kill an innocent animal. His father on the other hand encouraged it and made Steve kill the rabbit even though he truly didn’t want to. Going out and hunting seems to be a rite of passage in this family so I also feel like the father should have realized that the kid wasn’t ready to go hunting yet. What Steve learned from this is that it’s hard to go against the group when all you want is to be accepted. This film taught me that no matter you have a choice in any situation and it’s up to you to define yourself.
I agree with Sean Anderson, i dont think the kid was ready to go out and hunt. The father maybe should have listend to his wife more and not taken him out yet.
The reason of Steve's father bringing him out hunting was to teach Steve the lesson of the natural cycle of life. But also to help toughen him up for when steve would have to deal with death in his later years. I also believe the father did it to create a bond between him and his son and an activity that they could do together. I understand why the mother was worried about letting her son go out hunting because having the power to determine if a living object should continue to live or die is a big decision for a young child to make and could scar the kid in some instances.
I was absent that day
I think this story was about Steve learning how to be independent and make his own decisions. At first, he really looked forward to going hunting with his father, even though his mother disapproved. Once he actually experienced killing an animal, I think Steve had a change of heart and decided that hunting was not something he enjoyed doing. Although his dad seemed slightly disappointed, Steve didn’t change his mind which shows he has a strong sense of self even at a young age.
I agree with Erik. This film had a lot to do with making decisions based on your own values, rather than others'
I agree with what mike said. i too have done activities with my dad that i wasnt too excited about. for example, playing golf. I hate golf but because i know my dad likes it and wants to have father-son time i tag along to make him happy
I think Steve's father wanted to teach Steve that hunting is fun. You get to explore the wilderness and get food. Steve's mother was opposed to hunting and felt that Steve was too young to deal with death. Steve learned that power can be misused and that there should never be death without just cause. He learned a very good lesson at the cost of further distancing himself from his father. The film taught me that a generous father figure with good intentions can be outstandingly harmful if fundamental concepts are overlooked. Basically, someone that means well can still implant bombshells like killing gets easier the more times you do it.
I think Steve’s parents had different views on Steve going hunting. His mom thought he was too young to learn how to shoot a riffle. While Steve’s father thought it was an appropriate time for him to learn. I think Steve learned that it was hard to keep his values and still make his father happy. After he shot the rabbit, he really seemed like he regret it. From this I learned that no matter who you want to make happy and no matter how much pressure is on you, you should still do what you believe in. Even if this means disappointment from other people. I’d rather disappoint someone else, than regret my decision in the long run.
I agree with Krystle, with the fact that it is very hard to go against a group, even just one person who is older, in this case Steve’s father. The only reason Steve shot the rabbit was because he wanted to impress his father and show that he is manly enough and old enough to shoot a riffle. Steve should have done what he valued most and not what his father wanted him to do, because his father would still have loved him no matter what.
I think that while both parents saw merit in the experience the dad was much more excited about it than the mom. I think the lesson the father was trying to teach is that sometimes life is tough and you have to either kill or die. This made sense to him having been in the war but his son was horrified by the idea. In the end you should make your own decision and don't make it based off of others who might be around you even if they are family.
I agree with Mike and everyone else agreeing with mike about how dads can sometimes push you to do things that they think are fun but that you real are unsure about. This story also had a much better meaning I think than the little boxes one.
I agree with Bram that this film taught me don't try to please anyone but yourself. Steve didn't have to shoot the rabbit but his father wanted to him to so he did. In shooting the rabbit Steve learned the intensity of death and making someone else happy will not always make you happy.
I think Steve's mother didn't want to have steve work with firearms becuase he wasn't ready yet. even though steve
thinks" he's ready to fire the rifle, in reality he coudn't take the site where he killed the rabit or see his father kill a rabit. His mother was right about steve not being ready for hunting. Steve didn't like the idea of killing something that wasn't harming anything.
I also agree with Krystle because Steve learned that it is difficult to go up against somthing along with peer pressure. Something that would get a person to kill a rabbit even when they don't think it is right is what Steve learns in this little film. I also agree with Mike when he believes when someone get's older, something as hard as that gets easier. It is true like when someone at age nine watches a horror movie it's scary....but when they get older it's not scary at all. They got use to it.
I think that Steve's father could have talked to him about what they were going to be doing because his mother was against the idea and thought he was not ready yet. While the father wanted to raise him like he was raised and in the war to kill things so they could bond, but clearly Steve was not ready.
I agree with Mike when he brings up a family related situation. I feel like it is hard to go against your parents, like Steve had to do in the film. In most cases you do not want to disappoint your parents so you will do almost everything that they encourage you to do. Personally, for pretty much my whole life I had learned new things and tried out new things based on what my parents wanted for me. For example, my whole life I played basketball. But as I entered high school I slowly started to dislike it. My dad was a big fan of basketball, went to all of my games, made me play AAU, go to intense basketball camps, etc. But finally this year, my senior year, I decided to quit. This was me going against the group (my father) because It wasn't something that I wanted to do anymore. And I think that that decision is a small attribute that defines who I am. Some people might take it as me being a quitter. But I see it as me being my own person, and defining myself by what I want and not what others want of me.
i agree with Ethan how Steve was not yet ready to shoot the rabbit,and how he realized that there were certain things in life that he had to sacrifice for the greater good, like the rabbit for his father's acceptance and appreciation.
I think the mom wanted to protect her "baby" like most moms would but i highly doubt he knew he was not prepared for thispath. I think his dad was not only excited to spend time with his son but also wanted to share the moment his spather spent with his and it obviously ment alot so he wants that for his son too. I thibnk steve felt the difference between shooting a tree stump and a living thignafter his dads kill. but in efforts to make his dad happy he played along and also shot a rabbit himself.
I agree with Mike Rodenbush i think we sometimes do things just because of our parents and we wouldnt do it if it wasnt to make them happy.
I believe that in the father taking Steve out to go hunting he was taking him through a rite of passage. To me it seemed as though the mother was more in tune to Steve's personality and realized that hunting wasn't the best choice for Steve. The father was blinded by a culture that promotes hunting as something a man does and was more worried about he would've felt had his son not gone hunting.
I think that Steve's father just wanted to share an experience with Steve that his own father shared him when he was a child. Seeing as how Steve's father took it well, he thought that Steve would take is equally as well. Steve's mother on the other hand had concerns, because the act of shooting and taking a life, whether it be animal or human is a very serious action, and she was not sure if Steve could handle such an experience.
I think Steve learned the value of life on his hunting trip, because he hesitated to shoot the rabbit, which implicated that he understands how serious it is to kill. Most children wouldn't understand this and just do their father told them to. The film taught me that what is okay for one person may not be okay for another. Steve's father had no problem learning about hunting as a child, but Steve did. No two people have the same identity, so no two people will react the same way to the same thing
Steve's dad wanted Steve to grow up and be a man. In his father’s eyes Steve was ready to go on his first hunting trip. Typically, when a father takes his son on a hunting trip the purpose is to build up a relationship with each other. Spending a day in the woods with someone will usually tell a lot about the other person. In this case Steve’s father learned how Steve wasn’t really ready to kill something. Even though Steve took the shot, he still was very shaken up by it. This goes back to what his mom said from the beginning. She thought that Steve wasn’t ready for the hunting trip yet. She wanted him to wait until he was ready. Steve seemed to handle the whole experience pretty well but I think that if he had been older then he might have told his father that he didn’t want to shoot the rabbit.
It seemed as though at the begining, Steve was pretty excited about his first hunting trip, and his father too was excited to take him, but it is apparent when the two parents are talking, that Steve's mother does not completely agree that he should be taken out ot hunt at such a young age. Steve seems to be having fun shooting the gun at random targets, and having his dad teach him different things, however once Steve sees his dad shoot a rabbit, the mood changes. Steve then feels bad about the situation and when he is told by his father to shoot another rabbit, even though his values and beliefs are clearly different, he does it anyways-following the crowd. I think that Steve was put into a tough situation here, it was a group of random people that Steve was following, but his own father. Steve seemed to have wanted to impress his father by proving to him that he could shoot the rabbit, however after he did this he doesn't look very happy about it. Although Steve was put into a hard situation with his father, I think that he should've stuck with his gut and not shot the rabbit if it was not what he truely wanted to do.
I agree with Lyndsie- I think that Steve is deffnintely at an impressionable age and can easily be influenced by others. However, just by having this experience with his father I think can only help him in life and will teach him to do what he wants and to stand up for what he believes in, and not just go along with the crowd because he feels obligated to do so.
I believe that steve's father wanted steve to learn that hunting and death is a part of life's cycle. I also believe that steve originaly went along with this plan not becuase he was excited for the hunt itself,but that it was time spent with his father who he obviously is yearning to impress. This change of motivation on the part of steve makes his reaction at the end of the film much less random and more eventual and reasonable. The voices steve hears at the end are all of the contrasting thoughts he has had throughout the day all piling up in his head in this single moment. This pressure and want for approval from the group which is his fatgher is what made hin kill the rabbit.
I think that Steve's father wanted to teach him gun safety and familiarize him with guns so that he knows how to use them. Steve's mom didn't think that he was old enough to be going hunting. Steve actually learned that he didn't like shooting animals as much as he thought he would because he was somewhat shocked by the violence of it. I think this film taught me that you can't force someone to enjoy things and people should make up their own minds on things rather than just go with what is the norm.
I disagree with Sean. I think that the problem was not a matter of age but rather a matter of personality. I think that many twelve year old boys would react the same way he did, but I also think that there are an equal amount that would enjoy hunting.
I think that the lesson that Steve's parents wanted him to learn was that even though it might be "bad" or scary, hunting live animals is a tradition and a way for some families to survive. I think they wanted him to know what it was like to have to put your own priorities and safety first above all else. Killing the rabbit even though he didnt really want to, shows this. I think however that Steve's mother was more apprehensive about him hunting at such an early age. I think that what steve learned was that sometimes to be accepted or to be part of a group, he had to kill the rabbit even though he didnt want to. I agree with Krystle's comment about Steve not wanting to go against the group (his father) and wanting to be accepted. I learned from this film that no matter how small the group, if the group is important to someone (ie a family member or loved one) they will do all that they can to be accepted and loved. Steve gave in to his father's excited commands and shot the rabbit even though he didnt really want to. I also got from the film that the bond between Steve and his father must've been awkward or shakey because during the car ride, even though Steve was excited, he didnt speak with his father at all about the up coming hunt. This shows that Steve was against this from the beginning, but was desperate for his father's love and pretended to really be interested in hunting.
I think Steve’s dad wanted to have a true father-son experience. He wanted Steve to learn how to shoot a rifle and hunt, which is very exciting for him. Steve’s mom was not supportive of this hunting trip because she did not think he was ready at 12 years old. She was trying to protect him. I think Steve actually learned that it is very hard to go against a group. Steve’s father pressured him to shoot the rabbit by yelling in his ear to do it. By Steve’s hesitation and the voices he hears, you can tell that he is distraught by the situation. He could please his dad by shooting the rabbit, but then he would feel terrible. He could also make himself feel better by not shooting the rabbit, but he would be letting his dad down. From this film, I learned that it is very hard to go against the group. You want to “go with the flow” in order to be accepted, even if you do not agree with the group’s actions. I think this mentality gets better as you get older, because you become more of a confident person and you know who you want to be. You do not have to let the group define you, because you are your own person.
I agree with Missy because I think you should act the way you want to no matter what the group mentality is. Even if you want to please people, you should not have to compromise your own beliefs to do so.
I think that Steve's father wanted to share an experience with his son that he thought would be meaningful and that he could relate to since he was in the war. I think that Steve's mother was against his father teaching him how to hunt and shoot a gun because she didn't want to promote violence to her 12 year old son. At first Steve was excited to go hunting and thought it was cool to shoot the gun but once he realized that an innocent creature would be the one to lose a life he didn't think the idea of hunting was as cool anymore. Steve was pressured by his father into shooting the rabbit, but once he did guilt sunk in. Steve learned to value and importance life during this hunting trip, and I think his conscious lead him away from violence.
I agree with Ethan that Steve's father was trying to teach him that hunting is part of the natural life cycle, and was playing it off like it was no big deal. I think Ethan was right when he said that Steve learned that taking a life of another loving creature shouldn't be a game or leisure activity but it should only be if necessary of needed.
I think that Steve's Mom and Dad wanted him to learn the circle of life/ to be aware of death. I do not think that Steve was ready to learn this lesson so brutally because he was only a 12 year old. Steve's Mom knew that Steve was still an innocent boy and I don't think that she wanted to lose that side of him. The father pretty much peer pressured his wife to let them go and his son to take away life. Before Steve kills the rabbit his mind is circling with quotes that his father said and images of guns and the aftermath of shooting them. Although Steve really did not want to shoot the rabbit he did it anyways because he was peer pressured into it. I think the moral of the story was to stand up for what YOU belive in no matter who you're going against. Steve obviously looked up to his father and to stand up to someone who you love and look up to is almost impossible, but at times extremely necessary. You need to have your own identity.
I agree with Krystal when she says that by doing what YOU want and not what others want you to do defines what kind of person you are. I disagree with her when she says that it is easier to part yourself from the group when you get older. Maybe when you're out of college but from missle school through college are the essential "leader-pack" years. The majority of people want to be accepted by a group that they will go to the end of the earth and back to be considered part of the group...even if they are truely against what the leaders are enforcing.
I think that Steves parents wanted him to learn about the circle of life. ANd what it means and feels like to take a life away. I think that Steve learned that hunting isnt fun and games. He learned the sevarity of what killing something is like. I think that making his first kill really affected him. I learned from this film more about father son realationships. I learned that hunting for the first time is kind of like the first step in to man hood for some people.
I think that ERik brings up a good point, i think steve was too young to go out hunting
The boy in the film wanted to be more grown up and closer to his father. At first, shooting the stump was exhilarating for the kid but when he first saw his dad shoot the rabbit, he didn't know what to do with himself. Then when it came his turn to shoot the rabbit, you could tell he didn't really want to and looked a little frightened but his dad was pressuring him into shooting it. Caught up in the moment and hoping he could be like his father, he shot it and automatically felt guilt. The boy was not ready to understand death and the concept of the life cylce.
I agree with Krystal. The boy couldn't stand up for what he though lt was right. Not only is standing up for what you believe in, hard when your going against a group that you feel pressured from, but standing up against your own father is much harder.
I was absent.
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