Grade 9 IEB Film Study - The Greatest Showman Vocabulary

Basic Film Information

  • Genre: Musical drama.
  • Director: Michael Gracey.
  • Main Character: P. T. Barnum.
  • Setting: America during the 1800s1800s.
  • Main Idea/Core Thesis: The film explores themes of following dreams, seeking acceptance, managing ambition, the cost of fame, and the importance of family.

Main Themes

Acceptance and Belonging

  • Central Premise: Many characters within the film face rejection from society because they are perceived as being ‘different’ or outliers.
  • Examples of Marginalized Characters:     * Lettie Lutz: Known as the bearded lady.     * Charles Stratton: Known as Tom Thumb.     * Anne Wheeler: A trapeze artist.
  • Important Message: The narrative emphasizes that individuals judged by society still deserve inherent respect, acceptance, and a sense of belonging.

Key Song: "This Is Me"

  • Mood: This song is characterized as empowering, emotional, and triumphant.
  • Meaning: It focuses on self-acceptance and the development of confidence in the face of adversity.
  • Techniques Employed:     * Strong Vocals: Convey power and resilience.     * Close-up Shots: Used to capture the raw emotions of the performers.     * Bright Lighting: Symbolizes clarity and hope.     * Slow-motion Walking: Emphasizes the gravity and confidence of the characters.
  • Effect on Audience: These techniques aim to make the audience feel inspired while creating a deep emotional connection to the characters.

Ambition and Success

  • Central Premise: P. T. Barnum is driven by a desire for fame and success; however, this ambition occasionally causes harm to his personal relationships.
  • Important Idea: The film warns that excessive ambition can lead an individual to forget what truly matters in life.
  • Evidence of Negative Ambition:     * Barnum begins to ignore his ‘circus family’ (the performers).     * He shifts his focus disproportionately toward high society and achieving a specific type of fame.

Key Song: "The Other Side"

  • Mood: Energetic and persuasive.
  • Narrative Function: This song depicts Barnum convincing Phillip Carlyle to leave his comfortable life and join the circus venture.
  • Techniques Employed: Fast editing and rapid movement are used to convey the excitement and the inherent risk of the proposal.

Family and Love

  • Central Premise: Despite Barnum's pursuit of fame, his family remains a foundational element of his life.
  • Key Message: The film posits that genuine happiness is derived from love and acceptance rather than financial wealth.
  • Important Character: Charity Barnum:     * She represents loyalty and emotional support.     * She serves as the anchor that keeps Barnum grounded.

Dreams and Imagination

  • Central Premise: The movie serves as an encouragement for people to dream big and take significant risks.

Key Song: "A Million Dreams"

  • Mood: Hopeful and magical.
  • Symbolism: It symbolizes the power of imagination and the scale of human ambition.
  • Techniques Employed: The use of warm lighting creates a sense of comfort and a feeling of wonder.

Important Characters

P. T. Barnum

  • Traits: Ambitious, creative, charismatic, and at times, selfish.
  • Character Development (Arc):     * Beginning: He starts as poor but maintains a hopeful outlook on life.     * Middle: He becomes obsessed with fame and societal validation.     * End: He undergoes a realization that his family and acceptance of others are more important than status.

Charity Barnum

  • Representation: She embodies love, loyalty, simplicity, and family values.
  • Important Function: She acts as a constant reminder to Barnum of what truly matters in life.

Phillip Carlyle

  • Character Arc:     * He begins the film as a wealthy and judgmental member of the upper class.     * He eventually learns the value of acceptance.     * He falls in love with Anne Wheeler, challenging his previous social standing.

Anne Wheeler

  • Symbolism: She represents courage, the breaking of social barriers, and the pursuit of equality.
  • Important Scene: "Rewrite the Stars": This scene explores the themes of forbidden love and the impact of social prejudice.

Film Techniques

Camera Shots

  • Close-Up: Used to show emotions clearly.     * Example: During "This Is Me," close-ups show both pain and confidence, allowing the audience to connect emotionally.
  • Long Shot: Used to show the setting and large-scale movement.     * Example: Scenes involving circus performances use long shots to showcase excitement and the scale of the spectacle.
  • Tracking Shot: The camera follows the movement of a character or object.     * Effect: This creates energy and makes the audience feel involved in the action.

Lighting

  • Bright Lighting: Used to represent happiness, hope, and celebration.
  • Dark Lighting: Used to represent conflict, sadness, and loneliness.     * Example: Barnum is shown in dark lighting when he is alone after losing his success.

Costume

  • Circus Performers: They wear bright, unique costumes that signify their individuality.
  • Upper-Class Characters: They wear formal, dull clothing that represents the strict and rigid nature of their society.

Colour

  • Warm Colours (Gold, Red, Orange): These signify passion, excitement, and dreams.
  • Dark/Cold Colours (Blue, Grey): These signify isolation and sadness.

Music and Sound

  • Importance: Music is the most critical element in this film.
  • Purpose: It communicates emotions, develops themes, and builds the overall mood.     * Example: "This Is Me": Features loud, powerful vocals to build confidence and a sense of empowerment.     * Example: "Rewrite the Stars": Uses softer, emotional music to create a romantic, intimate mood.

Important Songs and Meaning

"Come Alive"

  • Meaning: Represents the moment people become confident and truly ‘alive’ when they find acceptance.
  • Mood: Energetic, joyful, and liberating.
  • Techniques: Fast-paced editing, bright lighting, intricate choreography/dancing, and a crowded mise-en-scène.
  • Foregrounding: The performers are placed in the foreground to demonstrate their newfound confidence and importance.
  • Message: Everyone deserves to find a place where they belong.

"Rewrite the Stars"

  • Themes: Love, social barriers, and hope.
  • Mood: Romantic yet emotional.
  • Techniques: Symbolism via trapeze acts, soft lighting, and slow camera movement.
  • Symbolism: The use of ropes and swings represents the risk and uncertainty inherent in their relationship.

"Never Enough"

  • Meaning: Fame and success can never fully satisfy an individual's emotional needs.
  • Mood: Emotional and dramatic.
  • Important Idea: This represents the moment Barnum realizes that success on its own is insufficient for happiness.

Key Film Terms (Important for IEB)

  • Mise-en-scène: Refers to everything visible within a scene, including lighting, costumes, props, the setting, and the positioning of characters/objects. Its purpose is to create mood and meaning.
  • Foregrounded: Refers to what is made most important or noticeable in a scene.     * Example: In "Come Alive," the performers are foregrounded to show their freedom and confidence.
  • Symbolism: When objects or actions are used to represent deeper meanings.     * Example: The circus itself symbolizes acceptance, freedom, and community.
  • Juxtaposition: The act of showing contrasts for effect.     * Example: The contrast between the rich upper class and the circus performers.
  • Mood: The specific feeling the audience is meant to experience (e.g., excitement, inspiration, sadness, hope). This is created through music, lighting, camera work, and acting.

Important Essay Ideas

  • The film teaches that society should accept people regardless of their appearance or background.
  • Barnum’s ambition is a double-edged sword: it helps him succeed but also damages his relationships.
  • Family is more valuable than fame.
  • Dreams serve as an inspiration for people to overcome difficulties.

Quick Test Answers

  • Why is music important? Music helps communicate emotions, themes, and character development.
  • What does the circus symbolise? It symbolises acceptance, belonging, and freedom.
  • How does lighting affect mood? Bright lighting creates happiness and excitement, while dark lighting creates sadness or conflict.
  • What is foregrounded in ‘Come Alive’? The performers and their confidence are foregrounded through costume, movement, and camera focus.

Paragraph Structure for Analysis

  • Structure: Technique → Effect → Meaning.
  • Example: ‑The close-up shot in ‘This Is Me’ shows Lettie’s emotions clearly (Technique). This helps the audience connect emotionally with her struggles (Effect). It reinforces the theme of self-acceptance (Meaning).‑

Final Study Tips

  • Ensure you learn at least three primary themes.
  • Know specific film techniques and their intended effects.
  • Revise the lyrics and narratives of the important songs.
  • Always explain your points using the three-step method: 1. Technique, 2. Effect on the audience, 3. Meaning/theme.