Theme, Message and Symbolism in Pay it Forward

Learning ObjectivesTo be able to:

•To identify theme, message and symbolism in Pay it Forward•To understand how to construct a film review using religious interpretations

Symbols: what do the following mean to us?

Key Words – In pairs, try to come up with definitions for the following key words:•Theme

•Message

•Symbol and symbolism

•Allegory

Key Words

•Theme: main ideas in a piece of fiction or a talk

•Message: an important moral or political idea that a film maker or author is trying to communicate to his audience

•Symbol and symbolism: images or objects that represent something that is often abstract or intangible

Allegory = Story with an underlying meaning

•What are the allegories in the following books/films?

•Can you think of any other films/books which are allegories?

The Chronicles of Narnia

The Jesus Allegory

Allegory = the symbolic expression of deeper meaning through a story or scene acted out by a human, animal or mystical character

Pay it ForwardContinue watching the film from scene 1hour (Scene 20) until the end of scene 29 (1 hour 33 mins). As you watch and listen, think about and discuss:

•Themes•Christian teachings•The music and lyrics•The images and symbols•Camera techniques