Character Analysis: Francesca

Year 10 novel study – Character Descriptions

For the novel you are reading I would like you to complete 2 – 3 character descriptions. For each character please follow this format. FrancescaSymbolism of name

• The name comes from the French word Freedom (to be free). This story is about her finding her true self and identity as she changes from group to group and her actions change from group to group as well
• The various names she has obtained are from different groups she hangs out with and how she reacts with them (Frankie, Fanz, Franny)

Speech

• Francesca’s language depends on the group she is talking with/in. Often she is accustomed to hearing ‘nasty words’ such as ‘bitch’ and ‘slut’ but rarely uses these words to speak. She does use expressive wording as ‘stupid’ and offensive-like wording.

For Example

Quote

‘Where are you this very moment?’‘Siting next to a dickhead, Thomas. And you?’  Appearance

• Clothing, mannerisms, disfigurations, age, sex.
• Clothing – Fransecsca doesn’t wear ‘revealing clothing’ as many of her friends do, although they can attract guys there is the risk of being called a slut or whore and being apart of that group can pose a threat to her dignity and reputation
• Age – Francesca appears to be 16-17 being in Year Eleven, she acts more appropriately though
• Mannerisms – Francesca is very depressive sometimes and smiles to hide her pain

Actions

• Francesca behaves differently depending on the group she is hanging or being with. She give attention to boys in one group and in other may just be about soccer/sports.
• This leaves a big impact on the story, her actions are described in the story with social actions and relationships
• THe characters in Saving Francesca react with each other as normal people would react with each other in the real world but the main sub-culture (if you could call it that) are teenage females with teenage boys.
• She is still confused at her age as all teenagers are

Other

• Francesca is a very non-stereotypical person. She drifts from group to group so she doesn’t have a a ‘label’ to fit in. She currently has to find herself and her identity and which group she really belongs with and at the same time has to cope with her mother.
• Francesca isn’t really that stereotypical when you think about it. She is a rare character, a character that needs to be expressed more in movies and books. Most girls have a ‘group’ or ‘mob’ they hang out with, a clan that they feel comfortable with and, Francecsa isn’t one of them
• I think this Character is good, with most books, this character is not expressed much and is, unargueably, express and portrayed very well in this one.
• If you put yourself into her shoes, yes, it would be very hard to be able to fit into a ’single’ group where you are new and confused.

Film Review: Silent Hill

Silent Hill

For years there have been video game to movie adaptations that haven’t taken the grade to the liking of society and movie goers (most-so, the fans of the video games originally made) and alas, cause major disappointment. Silent Hill isn’t one of them.

Konami, one of the world’s biggest game producers, thought of a concept. A concept making you cringe and twist as you play. A game making you grabs the nearest person and insist that they stay there on the couch next to you. A game making you want to be in reach of light as you hold the controller. The game, Silent Hill, is still one of the gaming worlds most talked about games. Mixing horror with survival and touching the tips of your fingers with anxiety and psychological horror, making it a high-rated game.Rose (played by Radha Mitchell) tries hard to cure her daughter Sharon from sleepwalking, after a near death on the edge of a cliff. The story tells about her mental illness and talk of a place (aptly named Silent Hill) where she calls home. She agrees to lead her way there ignoring pleads and warnings of townsfolk, her husband and the police. As she is pulled over by the police (being caught on her way there) this results in a pursuit by the interstate police into the town. As the camera spans with them into the town of Silent Hill, a figure appears in front of her car, sending her swerving off the road and into a ditch, leaving the screen black and you wondering.

 Rose awakens and is horrified as her daughter has disappeared from the passenger seat and is left deciding where her daughter has wandered in the thick shroud of fog that surrounds her and the town.  As she enters the town, she is met with falling ash and an abandoned street and city, a ghost town even. After calling and searching for her daughter. She meets with the female cop that followed her and as the plot builds and deepens she learns about the town’s horrific history.

Rose, the leading role, is a mother. A very hard character to play in a movie involving gore and nurses that bleed from the eyes although, is very strong and brave but still has to express the gut wrenching sickness she has to portray. Radha Mitchell plays the character very well indeed, although some breakings in the plot, there’s no-one other I would’ve wanted to play this character. Her daughter Sharon is a timid and in this movie scared a beyond all belief young girl. Jodelle Ferland portrays this character well but, has to do some work in the horror genre.

Very closely following the plot, psychological horror texture and methods of the famous Konami video game series, Silent Hill: the movie, provides the audience with a movie that will keep them scared and twisted.Personally, being the gore loving, blood-bucket fuelled teenager I am. I found this film amazingly spectacular since I am, and have been, a Silent Hill game fan and even more so a lover for psychological thrillers and game adaptations. From the moment that the camera angles provided me a cold chill down my spine to when the main monster Pyramid Head (made famous by Silent Hill 2 the game) appeared and made my twisted gore deprived eyes become fullfilled with the service it needed, the movie made me truly satisfied. Even though I had expected this to be a slump and disappointment (as most adaptations are) I was simply amazed how well they did this to satisfy so many. I recommend this film for all movie goers of the thriller, horror and psychological genre, as this film provides leading special effects, a good storyline, great acting and gore. All the elements that a good horror movie needs. It messes with your head, leaving you with a thought that leaves you insecure that you’ll find yourself and your loved ones when you leave the theatre doors. Disfigured bodies and monsters, disfigured beyond all hell claw at you at every turn and every camera angle make you cringe, nails either being bitten to the flesh or being burrowed and dug into the chairs material. From the first scene to the last scream, your eyes are attached by wires to the plot details and storyline. Its just one of those movies.

Welcome to Silent Hill