Month: April 2011

RS 9: Cinderella Man Movie Assignment

Answer four of the following questions.   Your answers  must be five to ten or more sentences long.  Answer it in a word document, save it, and either print it off and hand in or e-mail it to me. Since this is an assignment and more effort is expected, it is worth much more than a reflection.  The rubric on the right titled, Movie Assignment Rubric, will be used to assess your response.

The Sermon on the Mount is all about Christian ethics. Christian ethics stresses the need for grace, compassion, and forgiveness because of human weakness.

Jimmy Johnston says: “Right here. Editorial says this fight is good as murder, and everybody associated with it should be hauled into court and prosecuted afterwards. They say the paper’s gettin’ all sorts of letters from people saying you’re their inspiration – like you saved their lives or somethin’. If you ask me, it’s a lotta crap… but if I’m gonna promote this fight, I’m not gettin’ hung out to dry if somethin’ happens to you”.

1)  As the quote illustrates, boxing is one of the most controversial of all sports. Is it morally wrong for men or women to use violence to earn money?  Is it morally (the distinction between right and wrong or holiness and unholiness) wrong to fight for money, or is boxing just a sport?

Reporter: Bob Johnson, Boston Globe. Two days ago, we ran a story about you giving your relief money back. Can you tell our readers why?

Jim Braddock: “I believe we live in a great country, a country that’s great enough to help a man financially when he’s in trouble. But lately, I’ve had some good fortune, and I’m back in the black. And I just thought I should return it.”

2)  What does Braddock’s response to the reporter say about his conscience (the inner sense of what is right or wrong or what is holy or unholy)?
3)  Braddock refused to use his poverty as an excuse to be dishonest or victimize others. Describe the scenes where he illustrated this?

4)  What issues do people today deal with that is similar to those of the Braddock family? How are today’s issues different? What sorts of new issues will children of the 21st century face?

5)  The scene where Braddock’s son explains why he stole is extremely powerful. Would you steal if your family hadn’t eaten in a week, or if your family’s ability to stay together depended on it? Explain why or why not?

6)  A theme in the movie is the struggle to do what is right or what is holy. Braddock teaches his son to make the correct decision about stealing. Braddock also makes a tough decision when he repays the government aid. Braddock clearly has a moral conscience. What would you do if when waiting for a teacher in his/her room, you see the upcoming test answers?  What does you answer say about your conscience (the inner sense of what is right or wrong or holiness)?

RS 9: Cinderella Man Reflection 2

Answer two of the following questions.  Your answers for both questions must be a minimum of five to ten or sentences.   Place your response in a word document, save it, and either print it off and hand in or e-mail it to me.  The rubric on the right titled, Reflection Rubric, will be used to evaluate your response.

The purpose of marriage is the mutual growth in holiness of the man and woman. From the movie, we see that Jimmy and Mae’s marriage was a true covenant (pledge) of love.

1)  Talk about some of the key scenes in the film that express the meaning of Jimmy and Mae’s marriage. What did their marriage mean to them in times of plenty and in times of want?

2)  How did Jimmy and Mae show their respect for one another? How did their covenant of love and respect grow over the duration of the film? What challenges did their covenant or pledge to one another have to meet so that the Braddock could stay a family?

3)  What were Jimmy and Mae’s beliefs about their family, their children? What did you think about the scene in which Jimmy has to take his son to return the salami he has stolen? What did the scene tell us about Jimmy’s moral character and his relationship with his son/children?

RS 9: Cinderella Man Reflection 1

Answer two of the following questions.  Your answers for both questions must be a minimum of five to ten or sentences.   Place your response in a word document, save it, and either print it off and hand in or e-mail it to me.  The rubric on the right titled, Reflection Rubric, will be used to evaluate your response.

Cinderella Man portrays a man who loved his family and would do anything for them—and Boxing is how he achieved the purpose of his life.

1)   Why did Jimmy Braddock struggle with his faith? What made him turn away from prayer and worship? Do you think he began to doubt God? Did a sense of failure have anything to do with it? Why?
2)  If you had been in Braddock’s wife, Mae’s place, would you have said anything different to encourage Jimmy in the practice of his faith? Do you think Mae showed wisdom in how she talked to Jimmy about faith and going to church? Why or why not?
3)  raddock had many qualities that could be viewed as truly religious or a man of faith.  Identify three of these qualities.