Writing Seminar: A Century of Science Fiction Dr. Pogo
Final Assignment Monday, December 18, 2006
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Final Assignment
You are to write a 1 or 2 page discussion of the significant differences between the
book “The Time Machine” and the movie of the same name from 1960. You are
permitted to use your book, if you want. You are also allowed to take notes during
the movie.
A discussion of the differences is not just a list of differences. For each difference,
you should explain the impact (on a viewer who has not read the book) of the
editor’s decisions to deviate from the book, as well as a possible motivation for
each change you discuss. The movie viewer will come away with a different
viewpoint than a reader of the book would.
As a trite example, consider the question of language. We anticipate that in the
movie, Eloi characters will speak English, even though it is clear in the book that
they don’t. Another trite difference is that the book is narrated by the main
character, whereas in the movie, we will see more than him just sitting in a chair
talking. Of course, there will be some more significant plot differences to discuss.
It is better to discuss fewer deviations more thoroughly than it is to shallowly
address a larger number of differences.
Keep in mind that the movie producers started with Wells' novel, and made
deliberate changes. The producers had a different goal than H.G. Wells had, which
certainly affected their editing decisions. The visual medium might encourage
differences from a written medium. Differences might exist for budgetary reasons,
too.
When you are done, drag your paper into my inbox.
