Intro to Sociology �”Nell” � Film Essay Exam
For this exam you are applying sociological concepts to the events, visual symbols and story in thefilm “Nell”. Please answer each question with a paragraph of approximately 4-6 sentencesor more using the required bold fonted key terms. Your test should be atleast two pages in length, double spaced, type 12 font, but no more than fourpages. Remember to reference the film, the textbook, and any other sources youused to complete the test such as a film review. You can find the necessary key terms within your textbook index, please read the appropriate sections to answer the exam questions.
Discovered living alone in the backwoods of North Carolina after the death of her mother, Nell Kellty (Jodie Foster) is, at first, thought to be a “wild child,” having learned no social skills and speaking unintelligible gibberish. When Doctors Jerome “Jerry” Lovell (Liam Neeson) and Paula Olsen (Natasha Richardson) are assigned by the courts to observe and assess her for three months, they come to learn that her strange language is the result of having learned English from the slurred speech of a mother whosuffered a stroke and a twin sister, May (spelled Mi’i in some subtitles) with whom Nell shared a idioglossic language known as twinspeak. Jerry (whom Nell calls “Je’y”) and Paula (“Pau”) now are charged with finding a way to integrate Nell into society.
Cast of Nell
Jodie Foster as Nell Kellty
Liam Neeson as Dr.Jerome ‘Jerry’ Lovell
Natasha Richardson as Dr. Paula Olsen
Richard Libertini as Dr. Alexander ‘Al’ Paley
Nick Searcy as SheriffTodd Peterson
Jeremy Davies as Billy Fisher
Robin Mullins as Mary Peterson
O’Neal Compton as Don Fontana, Lovell’s Attorney
Sean Bridgers as Mike Ibarra, the Reporter
Significant Quotes:
“It’s like she doesn’t need anybody. Can you live your whole life that way or does it drive you crazy in the end?” (Dr. Lovell)
” Everybody who cares for somebody has an ulterior motive�even Mother Theresa. She wants to know that her life has done
some good and so do I.” (Dr. Al Paley)
” Be sure she needs care before she gets cared to death.” (Dr. Lovell)
Discuss how Nell’s primary socialization differed from that of main stream society. What are the circumstances surrounding her isolation?
Discuss Nell’s re-socialization by Dr. Paula Olsen and Dr. Jerome ‘Jerry’ Lovell after Nell is discovered and how she learned new norms and language. Discuss the scenes of gender socialization in the film.
Explain the ethnocentrism that is portrayed in the film. Is Nell morally inferior/ superior to those making the decisions about her life? What ethical issues around personal rights and freedoms are presented in this film?
Explain the cultural relativism that is portrayed in the film.
5. Discuss the culture shock that occurs in this film. When people meet Nell how do they react?
6. Discuss the concept of feral children Is Nell a feral child? How are nature/ culturedepicted in this film? Why is it assumed that Nell is mentally challenged?
7. Discuss the meaning of social norms and how they are portrayed in the film.
8. Why does Dr. Lovellwant to help Nell? Is it Altruism? Explain the change in Dr. Lovell’s attitude toward Nell from the time he first encounters her to the end of the film.
9. How do science/society intervene in Nell’s life? Apply the ideas of sociobiology, nurture and nature to this question.
10. What evidence is there that Nell is self- sufficient?
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