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Splendor in the Grass, Part 1 Discussion

Pre-viewing discussion

  1. Although this movie is set in the 1920's and 1930's, it deals with social issues in the USA during the 1950's and 1960's. One of those issues was the roles of men and women in society, and sexual equality. Have male and female roles and stereotype changed in your culture in the last 80 years? If so, how? Have attitudes towards sex changed?
  2. One of the main themes in this movie is young love and the sexual frustration and uncertainty that accompanies it. How do parents in Taiwan talk to their children about sex? How do young people learn about the changes that happen to their bodies as they mature?

Post-viewing discussion

  1. How would you define the different characters? What is Bud like? His father? Sister? Mother? Jeannie? Her mother? Father? How are the characters the same or different?
  2. What different themes are in the movie? (Think of generations, traditions, customs, history, etc.)
  3. In the US, the 'most popular boy in school' is often involved in sports and not necessarily very smart (though sometimes he is.) How about Taiwan? How about the most popular girl?
  4. What are the attitudes about women as expressed in the movie? What do different characters say about girls/women?