Wednesday, September 11, 2013

PERIOD 4: 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 you took away from the film.

31 comments:

Jon Syed said...

I think Steve's father wanted him to become more like a man. Steve's father also wanted to spend some quality time with him. Steve's mother wanted him to remain a little boy and keep his innocence. Steve learned that just because an adult says its acepptable doesn't mean it is. I liked this short movie but didn't learn much.

Gavin Wilsker said...

After watching the movie, "After the First" I was able to draw many conclusions as to what Steve's parents wanted him to learn, and what steve found out about himself. When steve's parents were talking in the Kitchen, his dad wanted to take him hunting as a coming of age thing, and having him mature as a man. His mom on the other hand still feels he is still to young, and feels he has time to figure out what he wants to do, and not to rush him into making desicions. I think what steve actually learned is that he needs to weigh out his options before making a decsion that could have a profound effect on him. Because after he shot the rabbit he deffintly had some regret and he didnt feel comfortbale with that. He had two chances to say no but failed, too speak up when he had the chance. What I took from this film was exactlly what Steve learned after he had shot the rabbit and thats to always way your options and do what makes you feel comfortable

Lauren lightbody said...

I really enjoyed watching the film "After the First". I liked how it explored the idea of thinking that you want to do something, then having mixed feelings about it. In the beginning, Steve is so eager to go hunting for the first time with his father, and shows no hesitation. As the film goes on, Steve sees his father shoot a rabbit, and realizes that maybe this isn't something he wants to do. I think that he really realizes this when he shoots a rabbit himself. I feel like the message behind this is that don't do something just because someone tells you to do it, especially if it makes you feel uncomfortable.

Abhi Bushan said...

After the First definitely was an interesting short film. Both Steve's parents wanted what they thought was best for him, his dad to mature, and his mom to protect his innocence. I think steve learned that sometimes you have to do what you think is right rather than what people tell you to do. Personally, I thought the movie had an interesting take on how times and values are different. I learned that sometimes you have to look deeper than the surface, because though hunting looks cool, to accomplish it you have to rob something of its life. Everything has a consequence.

Matt Keogh said...

In After the First, Steve was a boy who was excited to go on his first hunt with his dad and be seen as an adult. His dad also wanted that, thinking that understanding death would help his son to become a man. However, his mother did not want this. She believed that Steve was too young too start too understand killing, and needed to remain innocent longer. After Steve's first kill, he learned that it's very hard too kill something, and that being seen as an adult is not as fun as he imagined. I believe that this movie was supposed to show how hard it is to grow up, because then you have to realize how violent the world really is.

Frank Chang said...

Steve’s father wanted him to learn how to be a grow up and start acting as a “capable” man. His father told him that killing happens in life, referencing his time in the army. His mother wanted him to learn the lesson of having patience and waiting until he can handle more responsibility. Steve actually learned that he was not ready to hunt animals, and/or that he has no interest in killing for fun because it is morally wrong. He realized that what his dad thought was worthwhile was not necessarily right or fun. The lesson he learned was different than those his parents wanted to teach him, because he realized there was an added moral component to the situation besides patience and responsibility. I thought that the film was an effective teaching tool. It clearly shows why doing what others believe to be right is not always the morally correct thing to do, even if they are family. I also took away the idea that it is better not to pressure people into doing things, because they may be traumatized from or upset by the experience. There are cases where trying new things can be bad, and making assumptions can have harmful effects. The boy was clearly rattled and shaken by the experience, and he likely will not hunt again.

Sen Cai said...

“After the First” illustrated that Steve’s values and decisions affect the way he acted and reevaluated. At first, Steve was so excited about hunting and he just wanted to go out with his father even though his mom expressed a great deal of concerns. However, he was undecided whether to shoot the rabbit or not. After Steve actually killed the rabbit, he was so regretful that he harmed an innocent animal for his self-benefit. As the story progressed, Steve’s mood dramatically changed from being joyful to upset and uncomfortable. When I hear Steve said “two enough?”, I deeply felt his grief and disappointment. His father was eager to let his boy be mature and fearless after the first hunting experience, however, the reality was too harsh for a 12 year-old boy to comprehend and accept. Steve should follow his heart rather than be affected by his father’s order. Personally, I believe nobody can make any decisions for us and we should listen to our own opinions to decide what we really want to do. No one can make a better decision than you.

Riley Taylor said...

I think that both of Steve's parents were okay with the idea of him hunting. It was just the fact that Steve's dad felt like the "rite of passage" should happen sooner that set him apart from Steve's mother. Steve's mother said things like, "I think its too early" or "are you sure he is ready". His mother was clearly concerned that Steve was not old enough to fully understand the the gravity of the situation he was entering upon. This turned out to be exactly the case. Steve was going on this hunting trip simply because he wanted to please his dad. Steve thought that it would just be some playful shooting and then he would win the respect of his father and feel good about the trip. When the moment came to shoot the rabbit, Steve was clearly hesitating, but his father urged him on. He pulled the trigger, not because he wanted to, but because he thought that by doing what his father wanted him to do, he would feel better about himself. Throughout the whole ideal, Steve learned that the only truly fulfilling feeling comes with taking the actions that please yourself, not the ones that please others.

Isabelle Cunningham said...

I was absent this day in class.

Claire Gitkind said...

I think that going into the hunt, Steve's parents were trying to teach him a lesson as much as they were trying to expose him to a new activity that he would enjoy. Steve's father especially was very excited to go on this hunting trip with Steve and teach him how to fire a gun and kill an animal. Steve's mother was a little more apprehensive that they were going on the trip. In regards to what Steve actually learned from the hunting trip, I believe it had to do with the value of life. Yes he learned how to fire a gun and aim at an animal, but he also was able to witness the death of a living thing due to his action. I think this really affected him because after he fired the gun he looked regretful immediately. I took away from the film a message of listening to your conscience. Steve wasn't sure at first if he was going to fire and it seemed like as the last second he decided to. He looked upset afterwards and I think if he had listened to his inner voice, he would have done what felt right and wouldn't have felt guilty afterwards.

Joe Areano said...

After watching "After the First" I determined that the lesson Steve's father wanted him to learn was that if his son wanted to become a responsible young man he needed to learn how to hunt. While his mom wanted Steve to stay home because she thought he was too young to hunt and he wasn't responsible enough yet. Obviously Steve decided with his dad because that was the cool option to pick. But when he went hunting and killed the rabbit he learned that he didn't like harming innocent animals and felt guilty afterward. I thought the moral of the story is that even though a certain decision can be cool or the popular one between friends. It may not be a safe decision or one you agree with. You have to follow what you believe in and voice your opinion to protect your identity.

nick wright said...

After watching this short film I questioned what the purpose of it was. As I started to think about it I realized there was a good meaning behind it. Steve was so excited to go hunting for the first time because he wanted to prove that he was mature enough. But when his dad made the first shot I think it put it into perspective for him that killing anything even if it is a rabbit is not always easy to do. Even though his father said it would get easier after the first it still showed Steve killing animals is not always so simple.

Rachel Sudol said...

'After the First" gives me the perspective of not only Steve but also what a new soldier would feel like during a war. Most people don't grow up wanting to kill someone but often it feels like there is no choice. Sometimes peace is not an option and a soldier has to do what they're told. I believe that after the first shows that you can try to convince yourself that what your'e doing is okay but in the end every life has an equal weight. Steve's dad told him that it will get easier but I think that both steve and his dad know thats not true.

Jacqueline Avola said...

Steve’s mother and father both wanted Steve to “grow up” through his hunting experience (although his mom was more apprehensive to let him hunt than his father). At first, Steve was visibly excited and eager to shoot more. However, he was not mentally ready to shoot a living creature. I believe Steve realized this after he witnessed his father shoot the first rabbit. When it was Steve’s turn, he hesitated for a long time but eventually shot the rabbit. I believe he did this against his own will and only shot the rabbit because of the intensity of the moment, as well as to please his father. It was clear that Steve regretted his decision afterwards, and this was evident when he asked his father, “is two enough?” I took away the same lesson from this film as the one that Steve learned during his hunting experience: never let yourself be pressured into doing something that you don’t necessarily want to do, just to please someone else.

GenaRyder said...

Steve's parents I think want him to grow up and learn how to be a "man" because that's the type of thing that seems to run in the family with boys of a certain age cause that's what the dad said he did with his father too. I think Steve learned that he shouldn't judge his decisions too quickly because at first he was so excited and knew he wanted to do it and made his decision without even thinking about the consequences. Once he saw the dead rabbit he regretted what he had done and I think he learned not to jump into things and think about his decisions and make sure it is the right thing to do.

Heather Clemons said...

The parents in After The First disagreed on whether or not their son was ready to go out hunting. The mother didn’t think Steve was old enough, which is exactly why he went out there without thinking about the consequences; he wanted to prove his mother wrong. I think he also wanted to show his dad that he could be strong and brave, since his dad was in the army when he was younger. Even though Steve was only twelve years old, I think he could have said no and not shot the rabbit. But once he did, he decided he wasn’t going to do it anymore and asked his dad if two was enough. I’m not sure he would have acted differently if he hadn’t gone out for another year or two. No matter what he wanted to make his dad proud and prove his mother wrong.

Zach Bloch said...

In "After The First" Steve's parents had different expectations going into the day. Steve's mother believed that he was too young to be hunting while his father claimed he was old enough. When hunting, Steve became overwhelmed with the power of the shotgun and was amazing on how great it felt to shoot. What neither him or his father expected was that when faced with the challenge of killing an animal, Steve would have major troubles. Turned out that Steve's mother was correct saying he was too young for the hunting experience. I thought the film showed how a person wants to live up to expectations and prove his doubters wrong, even if the doubters are accurate. Steve showed that when he asked "Two enough?" implying he was done with the hunting experience.

Kayla Murphy said...

In "After the First" Steve a 12 year old boy wants to go out and shot guns to see what growing up is like. This a symbol for him growing up into a man. Steve's father wanted him to be able to experience what becoming a "man" entails. Steve's mother still thought that he was too young and not ready for what he was going to have to do/see. Once Steve was ready to hunt, he didn't want to pull the trigger on the rabbit but he felt his father was in control of that decision, so Steve did. This wasn't what Steve wanted but he wanted to please his father. I think he learned that sometimes you have to do things that you might not want too in order to make it in the world. Steve just wanted to be able to please his father. In life this happens all the time people will do foolish things they don't want to do just to please others or to "fit in". People like Steve usually have regrets after because they knew it was wrong from the start but chose to do it anyway.

Kayla Murphy said...

In "After the First" Steve a 12 year old boy wants to go out and shoot guns to see what growing up is like. This a symbol for him growing up into a man. Steve's father wanted him to be able to experience what becoming a "man" entails. Steve's mother still thought that he was too young and not ready for what he was going to have to do/see. Once Steve was ready to hunt, he didn't want to pull the trigger on the rabbit but he felt his father was in control of that decision, so Steve did. This wasn't what Steve wanted but he wanted to please his father. I think he learned that sometimes you have to do things that you might not want too in order to make it in the world. Steve just wanted to be able to please his father. In life this happens all the time people will do foolish things they don't want to do just to please others or to "fit in". People like Steve usually have regrets after because they knew it was wrong from the start but chose to do it anyway.

Danielle Mcweeney said...

I think that Steve's mother and father both wanted different things from him. Steve's mother wanted him to remain a little boy and be her baby and not go hunting. Steve's father wanted him to become a man and in his family that was a right of passage; to kill and hunt animals was how to become a man. Steve's father also wanted to bond with him. I think that Steve actually learned that he would rather stay a boy and not have to kill an animal. He was a little freaked out when his father killed that rabbit and he stopped enjoying hunting with his father from that point on. I felt that this film was mainly about not judging a boom from it cover. In the beginning if the film Steve was excited to go out and shoot things and become a man, making me thing as a viewer that is a destructive boy who enjoys to kill. But when Steve's father shot that rabbit it showed us more about him, like that he didn't like shooting animals.

Kathleen Scannell said...

I think that Steve's father wanted him to be "manly" and do things that he believes are masculine and a rite of passage. Steve's mother thinks he is too young and wants him to remain innocent, because she doesn't believe he is ready for hunting. I think what Steve actually learned was that in order to fit in (shooting the rabbit when his dad yelled at him to because it was what was expected from him) you must give up some of your views. What i took away from this is that in groups you lose some of your individuality because of the desire to fit in, which ultimately makes us give up parts of who we are. I also took away that the human mind can be changed if its told enough to do something, even when that individual may find it wrong to do that act. Like the father said, its easier after the first time. The more you do something, the more it becomes normal and ok to you. The more you go hunting, the less it will effect you when you kill an animal. This video, to me, showed the importance of individuality and standing up for your beliefs. Even if everyone else is against you.

Unknown said...

The first time Steve's father kills the rabbit he justifies it by saying "it is just part of the life cycle." I think Steve's father's plan was to show his son that hunting was just a part of growing up and becoming a man. On the other hand, Steve's mother was more wary of Steve responding negatively to the hunting. So when the parents finally agreed to let him go and the father showed enthusiasm for the hunt during the entire trip it told Steve that he should like killing the animals. When it was apparent that he didn't like killing, his identity was questioned by the ideals of the group, or his parents.

Unknown said...

The first time Steve's father kills the rabbit he justifies it by saying "it is just part of the life cycle." I think Steve's father's plan was to show his son that hunting was just a part of growing up and becoming a man. On the other hand, Steve's mother was more wary of Steve responding negatively to the hunting. So when the parents finally agreed to let him go and the father showed enthusiasm for the hunt during the entire trip it told Steve that he should like killing the animals. When it was apparent that he didn't like killing, his identity was questioned by the ideals of the group, or his parents.

Dana Hession said...

I think it was very interesting how both of Steve's parents had different views towards hunting. Leaving Steve in a difficult position. However, after Steve hears his mother say that he is too young, that most likely made Steve want to hunt more. But as soon as he goes hunting, he quickly regrets this and seems to be upset with his father that he could kill so easily. Even though Steve's father says "its part of the life cycle"

Toby Moesta said...

Steve's mom was opposed to th idea of steve starting to hunt, but his dad wanted to take him on a hunting trip that day. Steve was excited about hunting until he saw his dad shoot a rabbit. When it was Steve's turn to shoot one he froze up before shoting it. His dad said it would be easier the next time, but Steve's mom was right in saying that STeve was too young.

Anonymous said...

It was clear that Steve changed as he experienced the hunting trip. As he left,his mom worried about whether he was old enough, but his dad ignored his advice,still takinghim. When he shothte rabbit,he figured out that his actions can have very large consequences. with the small practice ofaiming and shooting the gun, he could end a rabbit's life. This was because his goal to go hunting came from his dad- without personally thinking of the consequences of hunting, he made a rash decision and the consequence of the dead rabbit surprised him. by reconsidering his options and questioning his sources of encouragement of hunting(his dad) Steve could have avoied this fate.

GenaRyder said...

Absent for movie because I was in guidence

Nick Goetz said...

The movie " after the first" gives you a view into a boys first hunting trip. Because of societies opinions on what it takes to be a man the kid was almost eager to kill a rabbit and become a man. he how ever didn't expect what it would be life to take a life. it makes me think that people are easily motivated to do things if an athourity figure tells them.

Tristan Guerin said...

I enjoyed watching the film "After the First" because i am an active hunter myself. after the boy shot his first animal i felt as if i could relate because i felt the same way after i made my first kill. anyway the meaning of this film was to show that everyone has innocence. but if you keep pushing yourself you lose connection with things that used to mean something to you. this short film also had a second meaning in the way that the father was teaching the boy how to be a man.

Rebecca Sullivan said...

I was not present for this.

Jess Nario said...

I was absent.