Thursday, February 7, 2013

PERIOD 6 - AFTER THE FIRST

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.




46 comments:

Ryan Reed-Edwards said...

Steve's father and mother wanted him to learn about how to hunt, but he actually learned that he cares about the lives of the animals that they are hunting and that he doesn't like hunting because of that.

The film didn't actually teach me anything new, but it sort of made me see the arguments against more clearly.

Anirudh Upadhyayula said...

I believe that his father thought it was a great time to teach him something that he was taught at a young age. He wanted to teach him how to hunt. Once Steve went hunting he decided not to do it because he felt that it wasn't right to kill an animal just for fun. One thing this movie taught me is to try something out before you judge it.

Anirudh Upadhyayula said...

I agree with what Ryan Reed-Edwards because he did learn about why he didn't like to do his father's favorite activity. I feel it's better to make a decision after you tried something than before you try it.

Patrick Doran said...

Steve's father had wanted to teach him about the way of life, in that they need to hunt in order to obtain food. Also, gun safety and the power that comes with it. Lastly, this was a tradition his father had wanted to pass on because his father had taught him to hunt at a young age. I believe Steve learned about life and death but is still uncomfortable with it.
I don't think I had learned anything but it does reinforce the saying of don't be so quick to judge because Steve was so excited to go hunting without knowing what it was truly like.

Olivia Colby said...

I think that the son was too young to begin hunting, because he was unable to handle the emotional aspect and reality that also came along with it. The concept of killing another living thing is tough to wrap your mind around, especially for someone so young.

Olivia Colby said...

I agree with Anirudh that you shouldn't make a decision about something that you know nothing about- you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

Sam Silverman said...

Steve's father had hunted since he was young and was in the war, so killing was a part of his lifestyle. He wanted his son to be like him, and pressured him to kill the rabbit. Despite having decided to kill the rabbit, I do not believe that Steve will follow in his father's footsteps. He seems to have a different mindset, and think that killing is immoral, which is demonstrated by telling his father that he was done hunting for the day. I believe it is important to question parts of our lives, because no matter how normal they may seem to others, they may not be right.

Rachel Adduci said...

Steve wasn't emotionally ready for hunting. The thought of killing something was too much for him to handle at such a young age. Steve's attitude about hunting completely changes by the end of the film. He realizes that he is able to go against what his father thinks, and he decides that killing is wrong.

Catherine Martin said...

I think that Steve's parents wanted him to learn the dangers but also the benefits of guns. His mother wanted to make sure that he knew how dangerous and powerful guns are and that they should not be played with. Steve's father taught him the proper safety when handleing a gun, but also how to use it to beneift them and get something out of it such a food. Steve learned the power of guns and also that he did not enjoy shooting to kill things that are helpless and innocent. He was initially very excited to go hunting, but after experiencing it for himself he realized that he did not enjoy which coneyed the message to not judge a book by its cover.

Rachel Adduci said...

I agree with Sam that it is important to question parts of our lives. Everyone has their own opinions and values, and is important to do what you think is right

Catherine Martin said...

I agree with Sam that we need to question parts of our lives and stand up for what we believe. Although Steve shoots the bunny against his will he then stands up to his father and makes it knowon that he did not like killing the bunny. I agree with Sam that regardless of how other people view something we should only do if we feel it is morally okay.

Julia Arsenault said...

I think that Steve's mother wanted him to be able to make his own decisions. She knew that he wasn't mature enough to handle killing another living creature but by not stopping him, she allowed him to make that discovery on his own. Steve's father just wanted Steve to be like him. The father said that he was younger when he first shot but Steve isn'tthe same, he wasn't a emotionally mature as his father may have been. Steve also had different values that his father didn't recognize when he forced Steve to shoot. Steve actually learned what some of the values he wants to live by are. Steve is considerate and thinks about others. He values life and family because he didn't want to take away someone else's life. The film taught me that you should always follow your own moral compass and not listen to what others may choose for you. Although two different ideas may both be right, only one is right for you and you have to make that decision for yourself.

Julia Arsenault said...

I agree with Patrick that Steve was a little too quick to judge shooting. He expected it to be exciting like his father always described it. When he shot the log he gained a sense of control but he never really understood what shooting an animal would be until he did it. It shouldn't have been so naive about the power of guns and what they can do to other living beings.

Sam Silverman said...

I agree with Julia, in that Steve's mother was hesitant to allow Steve to go hunting, because she knew what he would be likely to do (kill something), and did not think he was ready to live with that decision. Maybe the fact that Steve was older than his dad was when he first went hunting just means that he developed his own morals, instead of his father being taught certain morals from a younger age.

Shard Sharma said...

I think that his mom is right that the boy is to yang to go hinting.

Abbey Correnti said...

Steve's parents both had his best interest at heart. His mother was trying to protect him maybe not just from the danger of hunting, but for exactly what he experienced. Being appalled by killing an animal. His dad was trying hard to bond with him and wanted to pass down something he did with his father to Steve.

I was reminded of the idea that things aren't what they seem, Steve didn't realize how hunting can make you feel and he just looked at it as a chance to shoot a gun.

Abbey Correnti said...

I agree with Pat that you cant be so quick to judge. Whether it is a person, place, or maybe an activity like hunting. You need to experience it or learn more about it before making quick judgments.

Stephanie Johnston said...

At first, Steve's mom disagreed with her husband about letting Steve go out hunting but she gives in and lets him go. I think both parents here wanted to teach Steve a lesson about the responibility that comes along with power and power from guns specifically. I think Steve definitely learns the immense amount of power contained within a gun. Whether he fears the gun or respects it though is debateable.
The film taught me about the timing of such lessons. The boy was obviously not emotionally ready to hunt. A rite of passage often occurs at a specific age, but maybe these kinds of things really depend on the individual--and thats why the formal idea is a rite of passage has slowly dissolved from our culture.

Stephanie Johnston said...

I agree with Abby in the thought that things aren't always what they seem. Before the rabbit was shot, Steve thought guns were fun, or a game. After being responsible for the death of a living creature, Steve began to understand how serious the situation was.

Jackie Underhill said...

I think Steve's father just wanted to share something with Steve that he shared with his own father. Perhaps it was a family tradition. His mother on the other hand didn't think that Steve was ready to have that experience. Either way it was clear that Steve either wasn't ready for it, or didnt appreciate it as much as his dad does.
I think the film teaches a lot of things: not do assume anything, not to give into pressure, and to speak up when you know something is wrong.

Jackie Underhill said...

Abbey makes a good point about Steve not really knowing what he was in for.

james yi said...

i agree with shard
i think that the boy is too young and that when he goes hunting with his dad he is really excited but when he shoot the rabbit he realizes that it is a scary thing.

Kylie Bradley said...

I think the mother and father wanted to teach Steve to understand the cycle of life. By hunting, Steve was taught how difficult it is to kill and accept harming an innocent creature, but why its necessary that humans do it, to survive.

What I got from the film was that as humans we always desire to experience what is unfamiliar to us, but once we understand it, it becomes so much less appealing. Before actually going to hunt, Steve thought of hunting in such a positive, excited light. Following his first kill, however, Steve regrets his actions.

Kylie Bradley said...

I think Stephanie made an important point about the individual in society and how a rite of passage can't be defined by a general or universal time or event. I think its important to remember that all humans are unique and will go through a rite of passage in difference ways.

Erin Moore said...

Steve was emotionally scared from his hunting experience. His father hoped to pass down his passion for hunting and guns to his son but unfortunately this did not happen. Steve's excitement died down after they began killing the bunnies. Steve was too young to participate in the hunting because he was unable to cope with killing a harmless animal.

Erin Moore said...

I agree with Olivia that the boy was to young to understand the concept of death and killing an animal. He was not emotionally ready to hunt at his age.

Avalon Greene said...

I understand why Steve's father wanted him to see what hunting was like. On the other hand, I also see why Steve's mother was worried when he did go with his father. I think Steve wasn't ready to see what it's like to kill another living thing and when his dad was pressuring him into shooting the rabbit, I think he should have declined and put down the gun. The video showed me that t's better to listen to what you want and not do something that makes you uncomfortable.

Avalon Greene said...

I think Stephanie is right about both of Steve's parents wanting to teach him about the responsibility that comes with handling a gun. The mother wanted Steve to be careful and cautious while shooting and the father also wanted him to be careful but learn how to shoot as well.

Cara Berg said...

I think that Steve's mother wanted him to learn to respect the use of guns. She wanted him to know how to use one safely, but also to understand how dangerous they can be. His father wanted him to learn the skills of hunting since hunting was one of his own hobbies. However, Steve ended up learning that he had a deep care for the gift of life. He realized that he hated the idea of unnecessary killing, and felt that everything has a right to life. I learned that in order to be happy, you cannot do things you don't feel right about doing just to meet other peoples' expectations. Steve didn't want to say no to shooting the rabbit because he didn't want to let his father down. However, he would have felt much happier going home if he didn't kill the rabbit.

Cara Berg said...

I agree with Kylie in seeing how the film showed human desire to experience the unfamiliar. And I also think she is right by saying our expectations most often exceed reality.

Johanna Smith said...

I agree with Steph and Avalon that Steve's parents wanted him to learn the responsibility of handling a gun. I believe his father also thought it would be a great way for them to connect and bond. His dad seemed almost disappointed that Steve didn't like hunting. I think this film really shows how the innocence of childhood can be taken away so quickly with such a simple act.

Jordan DeArmond said...

I think that Steve's parents wanted him to experience this right of passage. Steve's father's father taught his father how to hunt and now this father wanted to teach Steve how to hunt. It symbolizes kind of growing up, Steve will be able to better connect with his dad once they have this common interest they can share; hunting. I think that Steve learned the true power of a gun and how he has the power to take away the life of those living creatures around him just by shooting the gun. What I took from this film is that innocence is bliss. Before going hunting Steve was really excited but once seeing something actually die, he became upset and regretful after actually learning what happens when you hunt.

Jordan DeArmond said...

I agree with what Kylie had to say about humans always wanting to experience the unknown. Something about not knowing what something will be like has such a great appeal to it however, usually things are not as great as you expect them to be.

Sami Barbosa said...

I was not in class to watch the film.

Nathan Logan said...

They wanted to show him the real world. I think it was to soon for him to gain any real lessons out of it. A child should not be subjected to such things so early

Tom Lawton said...

I believe that Steve's father simply wanted to teach his son a skill that has been a family tradition for generations. His father just forgot how traumatizing hunting can be on the first time, so he rushed in to showing his son. Even though his father made sure that he was safe and smart with the gun physically, he didnt ensure that his son was ready emotionally, which is where he really made the mistake.

Nathan Logan said...

I agree with Ani that the father thought the son was right for it when he really wasnt which is a sad fact of society today where parents subject their children to things they are not ready for.

Tom Lawton said...

I agree with Jordan. I don't think that either of his parents wanted to traumatize their son, they just felt that it was time for him to grow up.

Meghan Clarkson said...

I feel as if Steve's mother and father wanted him to learn more about guns and but for different reasons. Steve's father seemed as if he wanted Steve to get into hunting like him so that his son could join him when he went hunting. Steve's mother however was skeptical because she wanted Steve to understand how dangerous guns could be she also wanted Steve to fully understand their purpose. I feel like Steve was able to learn to not jump into things so quickly without fully analyzing and understanding what they are first. Steve froze when it came to him having to release the trigger because it was something he didn't want to have to do.


I dont think that it was a bad idea for the father to takr the sun hunting

Meghan Clarkson said...

I agree with Tom I feel like Steve's father wanted his son to share the interest of hunting that he did so he was overly excited to see his sons initial interest. However Steve's father did not make sure that Steve was emotionally stable before having him shoot.

max silverman said...

Steve's father wanted him to go hunting and have the similar experiences that he had as a child, but he didn't realize that Steve and he are very different people. His mother realized this and that is why she didn't want Steve to go hunting. The film taught me the importance of knowing who you are and doing what you want to do and not base any ideas based on what others want you to do.

max silverman said...

I agree with Tom, Steve's dad was so excited to teach his son about the family tradition of hunting in their family's spot that he forgot what it can be like to kill a living creature and the effects that can have.

abnr gomez said...

I was absent when you read the story

ben shaldone said...

I was absent

Patrick Doran said...

I agree with Catherine about what the parents main goal they were trying to teach Steve about guns and the danger that comes wth it.

Alex Hoban said...

I think that this short film had a lesson to teach and taught it in a very blatant manor. I easily related to this being a hunter and gun owner myself having to go through my first hunt as well. It is a right of passage and is clearly shown by the father in the film as he expresses his enthusiasm to bring his son just as he had been brought by his own father.