1. Summarize your reaction to this film in a four to five-sentence poem, rhyming or non-rhyming.
Inspired by love, she was his summer
The heart that gave her warmth
Her sparkling and overwhelming glow
Summer left a flavorless emptiness of season;
Autumn blows a squall of intended motive
2. What is the significance of the non-linear format of this film? Connect this formatting choice to at least two terms or concepts we have discussed this quarter. For example: This format can be connected to the Interactive Communication Model.
The story in the movie is not organized in terms of chronological time. That means the sender can channel a message to the receiver.
The overarching theme of the movie is bigger than the characters described in the movie. This means that the model of communication is not a one way process.
The two concepts of nonlinear state that:-
i. The relationship described are not linear
ii. Nonlinear are monotonic.
3. How does this film reinforce or perpetuate gender norms and stereotypes? How does this film perpetuate or reinforce relationship archetypes (a very typical example of something/someone), on a romantic interpersonal level as well as the larger social context? List two examples for each component of this question.
“500 Days of summer” features characters that defy gendered stereotypes. Despite being a love story, it does not focus beyond the main characters. To also believes that his love will come on summer. As a result, he meets a girl in an elevator on a summer season and he believes she is the love of his life. Surprisingly, the woman is named “Summer”. The movie brings about relationship archetypes by expressing the feeling of both Tom and Summer (Neustadter, Scott, and Michael 124).
4. How does the film challenge gender norms (p.27) and stereotypes (p.90)? List at least two examples.
i. As described in page 27 of the film analysis, Tom plays music on his computer in order to attract Summer. The film expresses the feeling of both character and their response to each other. Tom is attracted to an opposite sex that has nothing to do with her romance. It seems they are in two different worlds.
ii. In page 90, Tom shouts and people think he is a lunatic. Despite being greeted, Tom shows no response.
5. Which relational dialectic does Tom most struggle with in this film? Explain your response.
Summer does not love her. Despite trying everything, Summer shows no sign of wanting them to be in a relationship.
6. How does Tom and/or Summer benefit from self-disclosure? (p. 60)
It expresses their feelings and caring thoughts for each other.
7. Why does Tom and/or Summer risk from being self-disclosive?
They do not want to express their secrets. They also feel awkward to talk about love.
8. …Speaking of hegemonic power*!? How does pop culture: films, TV, advertisements, music, social media etc. influence how we define or view love/marriage? Which type of romantic love celebrated is typically in pop culture?
Pop culture influences love as very profound and involves two people. A romantic love is celebrated in pop culture. In page 27 of the movie analysis, Tom plays song to express love to Summer. The song goes “I want to know what love is” (p.60) (500) Days of Summer).
9. Trace the path of relation formation as you see it played out in Tom and Summer’s relationship (p. 298-300) Define each of Knapp’s stages in a single sentence using YOUR OWN WORDS then provide a single sentence description of when that stage occurs in the film. Are there any stages that seem to be skipped entirely?
i. Bonding – this happens when Tom and Summer express their feelings for one another.
ii. Experimenting - Tom experiments his love for Summer by playing her a song.
iii. Initiating – Tom tries to initiate Summer in a relationship.
iv. Intensifying – the of Tom and Summer becomes more of a reality.
v. Integrating – Tom and Summer integrate their relationship.
10. Trace the path of decline/dissolution as you see it played out in Tom and Summer’s relationship (301-303). Define each of Knapp’s stages in a single sentence using YOUR OWN WORDS then provide a single sentence description of when that stage occurs in the film. Are there any stages that seem to be skipped entirely? (10)
i. Differentiating stage –
Summer has a different feeling over Tom, which is not love.
ii. Circumscribing stage – Summer suggest that they should end their relationship.
iii. Stagnation stage – Tom feels his love for Summer is meaningless.
iv. Avoiding stage – Summer at some point avoids meeting Tom.
v. Terminating stage – summer feels that they should end the relationship.
11. What role does self-fulfilling prophecy (p. 39) plays in this film? List one example of the full cycle.
It is demonstrated when two individuals fake love until it comes true. Tom keeps on loving summer that pretends not to love him back. Eventually this approach turns to reality when the two fall in love (500) Days of Summer)
Work Cited
(500) Days of Summer. Beverly Hill, California: Twentieth Century Fox Entertainment, 2009. Print.
Neustadter, Scott, and Michael H. Weber. (500) Days of Summer: The Shooting Script. New York: Newmarket Press, 2009. Print.
