In the Heat of the Night
ENGLISH 9
IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT
UNIT ASSIGNMENT
Introduction:
The novel In the Heat of the Night was published in 1965, at the height of the civil rights movement in the United States, as African Americans struggled to obtain equal rights with White Americans. This struggle was long and difficult, and was marked by racial intolerance and violence of the worst kind. In 1967, with the civil rights struggle far from settled, the novel was adapted into a motion picture with the same title.
The novel and the motion picture have radically different perceptions of the attitudes and perceptions of the time. In adapting the plot, the producers of the motion picture created a work which is very different from that of the novel.
Assignment:
The assignment comes in two parts, and makes the assumption that you have read the novel at least once. It is strongly recommended that you read it again as you complete the assignment.
Part One - Information gathering. We will screen the motion picture version of In the Heat of the Night in class (note that it is available from public libraries and on youtube.com). Again, it is suggested you watch it more than once.
As we screen the film, note as many points of difference and points of similarity as you can. We will stop the film from time to time to ensure you are noting as many of these as possible.
These notes will form the basis of the second part of the assignment.
Part Two - Assessment. You will compare and contrast the novel and the motion picture in a well written essay, and then provide your opinion as to which you prefer. Note that your preference could be based on which of the two you feel is the more effective detective fiction, the more effective drama, or the more effective in terms of how it reflects the volatile racial climate of the time.
The Essay. Your essay will be of at least 750 words (that’s about 3 pages, 12 point font, double spaced), and will consist of at
IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT
UNIT ASSIGNMENT
Introduction:
The novel In the Heat of the Night was published in 1965, at the height of the civil rights movement in the United States, as African Americans struggled to obtain equal rights with White Americans. This struggle was long and difficult, and was marked by racial intolerance and violence of the worst kind. In 1967, with the civil rights struggle far from settled, the novel was adapted into a motion picture with the same title.
The novel and the motion picture have radically different perceptions of the attitudes and perceptions of the time. In adapting the plot, the producers of the motion picture created a work which is very different from that of the novel.
Assignment:
The assignment comes in two parts, and makes the assumption that you have read the novel at least once. It is strongly recommended that you read it again as you complete the assignment.
Part One - Information gathering. We will screen the motion picture version of In the Heat of the Night in class (note that it is available from public libraries and on youtube.com). Again, it is suggested you watch it more than once.
As we screen the film, note as many points of difference and points of similarity as you can. We will stop the film from time to time to ensure you are noting as many of these as possible.
These notes will form the basis of the second part of the assignment.
Part Two - Assessment. You will compare and contrast the novel and the motion picture in a well written essay, and then provide your opinion as to which you prefer. Note that your preference could be based on which of the two you feel is the more effective detective fiction, the more effective drama, or the more effective in terms of how it reflects the volatile racial climate of the time.
The Essay. Your essay will be of at least 750 words (that’s about 3 pages, 12 point font, double spaced), and will consist of at