Download - Rock N' Roll Jesus
Rock N’ Roll Jesus: The Evil and the Good
Dylan Chandler
Mrs. Karen Redding
English 1102
April 30, 2012
English 1102 Final Portfolio: Rock N’ Roll Jesus: The Evil and the Good
Table of Contents
Analytical Cover Letter ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………1
Quality Comparison…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4
Least Successful Paper………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4
Most Successful Paper………………………………………………………………………………………………………..8
“What’s the Difference?” Paragraphs…………………………………………………………………………………12
Revision Samples
Least Successful Paper (with markup)…………………………………………………………………………………13
Least Successful Paper (new final version)………………………………………………………………………….17
Most Successful Paper (with markup)…………………………………………………………………………………21
Most Successful Paper (new final version)………………………………………………………………………….25
Free Choice Essay (with markup)…………………………………………………………………………………………29
Free Choice Essay (new final version)………………………………………………………………………………….33
April 30, 2012
Karen P. Redding, M.A.
Assistant Professor of English
Gainesville State College
Oconee Campus
1201 Bishop Farms Parkway
Watkinsville, GA 30677
Dear Mrs. Redding,
My name is Dylan Chandler. I went to and graduated from Madison County High School in Danielsville, GA. I had English all four years of high school and learned a great deal in all four classes. English has always been one of my stronger subjects and one of my favorite subjects also. My favorite English class was American Literature. In this class we started to break down poems, songs, and films. I really enjoyed this class because I had an awesome teacher that made class really fun. The biggest thing I retained from this class was being able to break down and analyze different literary pieces. The importance of breaking down pieces of literature was to see that there can be multiple different meanings to a song, movie, or poem. In my 12th grade British Literature class we did more analyzing, but also wrote more essays about the material we were discovering. In my high school English classes I was always an A student, but now since taking two college level English classes, I have realized that our high school teachers were too easy on me. I took English 1101 with Dr. Sara Bell and her class was a lot more challenging than my high school English classes. I learned a lot from Dr. Bell on how to correctly organize, write with less grammatical errors, and how to set up a paper in MLA format. Dr. Bell was a very tough professor and I feel as if I truly earned my B in her class. I appreciate her persistence in trying to make my papers the best they could be in thoroughness and grammatically sound. English 1101 really prepared me for English 1102 because I learned to how effectively organize my papers. I have learned a lot in 1102 also. In my past English classes my papers were reflecting my own opinion, but English 1102 made me look into the content I was analyzing and efficiently explain what the material was about. Writing papers without including my opinion was a big challenge for me. In my first paper in 1102 I wrote on my opinion. I was fortunate enough to get a second chance to re write it and turn it into a paper that was on topic and not my opinion. I would have to say that the biggest challenge for me in English 1102 was analyzing pieces of literature instead of reading them and then giving my opinion. I fell that English 1102 will help me with my major because it has taught me how to correctly analyze works and also to be more open minded about life. The Monstrosity theme of the semester taught me to not necessarily “judge a book by its cover” when we talked about monsters and if they really were evil, or if they were just a misconception by outsiders. I have become a better student and thinker because of English 1102 and feel confident about my next English class.
My least successful paper was my first paper. The subject matter was comparing and contrasting Stephen T. Asma’s work from On Monsters and Seymour Rudin’s article From Transylvania to the South Bronx. Like I had mentioned earlier I messed up at my first attempt on this paper. On my second attempt I was more efficient in the assigned task. The paper was about how both authors viewed and
thought about monsters. In Rudin’s article I wrote about a group of werewolves that were trying to take over New York. My belief is that “the reason the werewolves were doing terrible things to their fellow citizens was simply because they were different,” and that the werewolves were not socially accepted by “normal” people in New York (Chandler, Paper 1). I tied this same idea in with what Asma had to say about the terrorist group known as the Taliban. The way Asma portrayed the Taliban group reminded me of the werewolves from New York. I feel like I made decent comparisons and contrasts with both pieces of literature. My biggest problem I believe I had was clearly explaining my thoughts and having a weak thesis statement. I believe the easiest way I could have solved this issue is by using more direct quotes from both pieces and my audience would have had a better understanding of both articles.
My most successful paper from the semester was Lighting Makes a Masterpiece. In our film unit we were taught about all of the different effects that directors use in movies to emphasizes certain events and scenes. One major effect in movies is the lighting techniques that directors use. I wrote about the lighting effects that the Coen Brothers used in the film No Country for Old Men. I learned that the Coen Brothers made the main character Chigurh dark at almost all times during the film because he was an evil person. The “good” characters in the movie were always better lit or in lighter clothing to portray that they were good people. The reason this was my best paper is because I had more understanding of this topic than any other. I found the film to be really interesting and full of detail. The clearly visible details from the movie made it easier for my paper to be more detailed and informing. My paper was far from perfect though. I found myself being repetitive throughout the paper by using the word “confusing” too much. I also had some organization errors throughout the paper which made it somewhat repetitive. “The lighted atmosphere portrayed in the scene, proves that the lighting or lack thereof on Chigurh’s face, expresses how the viewer does not know what Chigurh’s next move will be. The directors intentionally use the half-lit face to keep viewers guessing as to what will happen next in the movie. (Chandler, Paper2). The previous two sentences are examples of how I was repetitive in this paper and also another error I had was acknowledging the viewers in the paper. I feel that if I had not been so redundant in this paper that it would have been much better quality and easier to follow as a reader.
My free choice essay was from my first semester in Dr. Bell’s English 1101 class. Technology Growths between Generations is a classification type essay. In this paper I had three major topics that had to do with cell phones. Texting, talking, and internet usage were the three topics that I talked about. The paper was more than just talking about those three capabilities. I had to show comparisons and contrasts of how to use those three capabilities versus how my parents thought they should be used. My parents believed that phones should mostly be used for talking. Through my paper I attempted to persuade them that a college student needs more in a phone than just talking due to the hectic schedule I have as a college student. My cell phone paper was one of my better papers from English 1101, but there are some things that could have made it better. The biggest issue was my word usage. The words I chose were often vague and boring. Another issue I had was a few run on sentences that I had in my paper. If I had taken notice of my word choice and my run on sentences, I believe that this paper would have been an A instead of a B, and that would have been my best college paper yet.
Through English 1102 I know I have become a much better and a better-rounded student. Your class makes a student have to be diligent with their work because we always had specific due dates. I have learned so much from taking your class and I am positive that it will reward me for future classes. I don’t look at text now and automatically form an opinion. Now I re-read things and look at what things from two different perspectives and then put my thoughts on paper while influencing both perspectives I have learned about. I feel that I am now a better-rounded writer than I was before I took your 1102 class. This semester flew by! I enjoyed your class a lot and learned a lot that will help me on later on in
college and in life. I appreciate your generosity and patience that you always gave or class. Taking your class was truly a privilege.
Sincerely,
Dylan Chandler
Dylan Chandler
English 1102
Mrs. Redding
Paper 1
January 31, 2012
Mixed Emotions About Monsters
Ever since the world began there has always been evilness evident. Evil has been alive
since the time Jesus walked the earth all the way up until now. There are many different forms
and ways of evilness. What do you consider to be evil? Evil to me is when someone or
something torments another being for no other reason than personal satisfaction. As I get into
studying more about monstrosity I see that many people have similarities and differences in what
monstrosity is.
I read the article From Transylvania to the South Bronx and it was about a group of
werewolves that were roaming streets around the world and terrorizing citizens. The reason these
werewolves were doing terrible things to their fellow citizens was simply because they were
different. These werewolves were covered in hair and beastly looking. The werewolves
mentioned were monsters because they practiced the art of evil. The best way to describe these
monsters is by this quote, “Angel half –drops, half-scuttles, crab-fashion, into the wash of
moonlight: metamorphosed: fantastic beast-child and child-beast, incredibly, long-toothed,
golden-eyed, razor-clawed, and snarling, spitting like the greatest of the great cats, the mouth
cavernous with howling, routing death.” Pg. 168. Rudin used this quote to prove how much of a
rage the werewolves could get consumed into. Once this rage began, innocent lives started being
taken by these monsters. Rudin believed that these monsters should be dealt with accordingly as
to help keep peace in the world.
Another writer wrote about monsters as well and he was Stephen T. Asma. He wrote a
series of articles about regarding the Taliban as monsters. The Taliban are a very radical
religious group that has very strict human rights policies. The laws make their country a very
difficult and unpleasant place to live. Human rights are really no concern for the Taliban as their
main concern is making sure their people are conforming to their ways. An Afghan headmaster
was slayed before his family’s eyes due to the fact that he was teaching women in school.
Another example of the evil ways of the Taliban is when they attacked the World Trade Center
in New York City. The reason the Taliban attacked was because they do not agree with Christian
beliefs. Since the majority of the United States citizens practice Christianity, New York was the
perfect place for an event like this to occur. Asma’s view was that the Taliban were in the wrong
by portraying all of their evilness against innocent people.
Both authors above do not have complete one sided opinions about the people or
creatures being evil or monsters. Rudin seems to have a take that the reason the creatures were
doing all the killing is because they had human like feelings. Every human wants to be loved and
have attention shown to them. Because the creatures were different, all the other humans did not
like interacting with them. Rudin seems to try and tie in that maybe the normal humans are at
fault and can be to blame for all of the creature’s actions because of the way the normal people
did not treat the creatures like humans. Asma also had some of the same ideas as Rudin. He was
quoted saying “The meaning of “monster” is found in its context, in its use.” He means that you
really have to decide for yourself about what a monster really is and what someone does to make
themselves a monster. He does not approve of everything that the Taliban take part in, but
accepts that they are humans and should have their own opinions just like everyone else.
The same issue was in each article, and it was that because a certain group of people are
different they decide to take it out on others. The authors agreed that innocent people do not
deserve to be slayed just because they look different or are trying to help someone have a better
life, but they also feel that the reason the creatures or Taliban did these things is because they are
just human. Asma and Rudin are very similar in the fact that they have mixed feelings about
monstrosity and that they also understand that the groups did the evil things only because they
were human.
Works Cited
Richard Lortz, Dracula's Children {London: Jay Landesman, 1981), pp, 51-52,
Stephen T. Asma, Monsters and the Moral Imagination
Steven and Dylan
English 1102
February 27, 2012
Paper 2
Lighting Makes a Masterpiece
The title of the film, No Country for Old Men, comes from the first line from William Butler
Yeats' poem "Sailing to Byzantium". The first full line from the poem is, "That is no country for
old men." The film title is important to the film because it announces the dangers of living in the
film’s setting, and that no man is guaranteed safety. No Country for Old Men was directed by the
Coen Brothers, and is a dark and twisted film that can be very confusing at times. While
confusing, the directors did not leave out details to the film. The detail within the
cinematography causes confusion by leading the viewer up to what they think will happen,
whether it happens or not. The Coen Brothers were very specific in the lighting they used in each
scene. The cinematography techniques such as lighting, help the Coen Brothers define and
portray the characters motive, upcoming event, decision, and personality in No Country for Old
Men.
The lighting techniques used in In No Country for Old Men play a large part in the film.
Many times throughout the film there are characters faces, who are barely lit, fully lit, or even
completely dark on one side. The Coen Brothers use soft lighting and hard lighting to show their
faces. The directors show Chigurh’s face many times throughout the film with half of his face
completely dark and the other half completely lit. Chigurh has a very confusing personality. He
chooses to kill people sometimes, but other times to let them go. Through the lighting on his
face, film makers are showing that he has a dark side, but also a side that makes a viewer wonder
if he will let his victim go. A keen example is when Chigurh is at the store with the old store-
owner. The film makers light Chigurh’s face halfway showing that their is a dark side to him as
well as a lighter side. He goes on to play a game with the store owner by having a coin toss. We
believe the coin toss will determine the store owner’s fate, but then we are also not quite sure.
The store owners face is well lit, acknowledging that he is an innocent man. The Coen brothers
use the lighting on his face to show his innocence and confusion that the coin toss brings. The
lighted atmosphere portrayed in the scene, proves that the lighting or lack their of on Chigurh’s
face ,expresses how the viewer does not know what Chigurh’s next move will be. The directors
intentionally use the half-lit face to keep viewers guessing as to what will happen next in the
movie.
Chigurh was by far the most confusing character throughout the film. His actions of
killing individuals were very random. The Coen Brothers made the film intending for Chigurh to
be the most confusing character. The lighting displayed on Chigurh’s face throughout the film
was a major part in determining his character. In scenes, Chigurh meets individuals, and
sometimes he kills them and other times he does not. Each scene with each different individual,
his face is shown half lit. The directors used the lighting to keep the viewers on the edge of their
seats by making them attempt to guess at Chigurh’s next move. Through the use of lighting on
the face, the directors used lighting in a particular way to represent his inconsistent thoughts of
whether or not to kill different individuals.
Lighting is not all about the lights though. Each scene shows a different type of lighting.
Clothing is often considered to be a different type of lighting.The settings in different situations
and clothing have a major part in lighting. The Coen brothers used lighting to show the
personalities of each character. For example, a scene in the movie shows Chigurh talking to a
clerk at a store. Chigurh’s clothes in the scene are black. His clothes represent him as being a
dark and evil person. The clerks clothes are light yellow. The Coen brothers use yellow to bring
out the clerks personality of being a gentle fellow. The directors know that the viewer has no
background of the clerks past or his personality. They use the colors of his clothes to show a
more innocent man rather than using dark colors which are related to evil. Behind the clerk there
is a background and its very well lit, while Chigurh’s background is dark. The Coen brothers
want to bring out the personalities of each character through the backgrounds. Through the dark
background behind Chigurh, the directors know the viewer can relate to his dark past earlier in
the film. The directors also know that the viewers can only assume that the clerks background is
good, because of his light background in the scene.
The techniques of lighting used throughout the film not only show the characters
personalities, but can also be used to show the characters upcoming events. Many events
throughout the film had different changes of lighting through the scene. A good example is the
scene that Llewellyn begins his quest to help the wounded Mexican in the truck. The lighting in
that scene is very dark. As the drug lords meet Llewellyn the lighting is still dark. As Llewellyn
is escaping from the drug dealers, the scene slowly gets lighter. The effect of the scene being
dark and then becoming light, symbolizes Llewellyn slowly escaping. When Llewellyn finally
does escape the scene is fully lit signifying safety from the light colors displayed. Dark lighting
means that bad events are happening and, lighter scenes usually mean that events are about to be
resolved or already have been. As the director clearly showed, lighting can be used to show the
characters fate in the film.
The Coen Brothers used lighting to their full advantage. The lighting that was used help
explain characters in a more symbolic way. Personalities were shown through background
lighting as well as lighting on their faces. Events that happened in film had lighting that either
showed the good that was about to happen, or the bad that was just about to begin. The Coen
Brothers used lighting to explain characters actions and motives. They wanted the viewer to be
able to draw conclusions from the lighting to explain more about their actions and personality.
The Coen Brothers got more out of the lighting effects rather than the words that were spoken by
the characters, which is the reason the film is such a mysterious masterpiece.
“What’s the Difference?”
My least successful essay, “Mixed Emotions about Monsters,” was about two different
monsters and I compared and contrasted them. My weakest points from this first paper were:
producing clear thoughts, lack of quotations, and detail. I feel if I had covered these three issues
better my grade would have been better and I would have had a better paper.
My most successful paper, “Lighting Makes a Masterpiece,” was a dual effort from
Steven Tiller and myself. In my opinion this paper was easier to write on because it was over the
film No Country for Old Men and this movie was slammed with detail. We made our paper as
detailed as possible just like the movie, but we did compose some sentences that were unclear
and could confuse the reader.
The differences between my first two essays are detail and understanding the topic. When
I first wrote monster essay I was confused on the topic, but was then able to gain a better
understanding of what you wanted. Still my biggest issue with the paper was clearly defining my
thoughts for the reader. In my second essay I was able to define my thoughts better and more
easily. The more we learned in class about how to break down and analyze films made the
second paper much easier to write. My main issues with both papers was clearly defining my
thoughts and explaining them clearly for my audience. I feel though that I could have done better
on both papers if I had dedicated a little more time for composing them. I know I am a better
writer now after breaking both papers for the portfolio and know that I will be a better scholar
since I have taken English 1102.
Chandler 1
Dylan Chandler
English 1102
Mrs. Redding
Paper 1
January 31, 2012
Mixed Emotions About Monsters
Ever since the world began there has always been evilness evident. Evil has been alive since
the time Jesus walked the earth all the way up until now. There are many different forms and
ways of evilness. What do you consider to be evil? Evil to me is when someone or something
torments another being for no other reason than personal satisfaction. As I get into studying more
about monstrosity I see that many people have similarities and differences in what monstrosity
is.
I read the article From Transylvania to the South Bronx and it was about a group of
werewolves that were roaming streets around the world and terrorizing citizens. The reason these
werewolves were doing terrible things to their fellow citizens was simply because they were
different. These werewolves were covered in hair and beastly looking. The werewolves
mentioned were monsters because they practiced the art of evil. The best way to describe these
monsters is by this quote, “Angel half –drops, half-scuttles, crab-fashion, into the wash of
moonlight: metamorphosed: fantastic beast-child and child-beast, incredibly, long-toothed,
golden-eyed, razor-clawed, and snarling, spitting like the greatest of the great cats, the mouth
cavernous with howling, routing death.” Pg. 168. Rudin used this quote to prove how much of a
rage the werewolves could get consumed into. Once this rage began, innocent lives started being
Comment [m1]: Should not have asked this to my audience
Comment [m2]: The thesis is not completely clear, add more
Comment [m3]: State my ideas without the rambling
Comment [m4]: Who is they, be specific
Comment [m5]: Reword this, does not have good flow
Chandler 2
taken by these monsters. Rudin believed that these monsters should be dealt with accordingly as
to help keep peace in the world.
Another writer wrote about monsters as well and he was Stephen T. Asma. He wrote a series
of articles about regarding the Taliban as monsters. The Taliban are a very radical religious
group that has very strict human rights policies. The laws make their country a very difficult and
unpleasant place to live. Human rights are really no concern for the Taliban as their main
concern is making sure their people are conforming to their ways. An Afghan headmaster was
slayed before his family’s eyes due to the fact that he was teaching women in school. Another
example of the evil ways of the Taliban is when they attacked the World Trade Center in New
York City. The reason the Taliban attacked was because they do not agree with Christian beliefs.
Since the majority of the United States citizens practice Christianity, New York was the perfect
place for an event like this to occur. Asma’s view was that the Taliban were in the wrong by
portraying all of their evilness against innocent people.
Both authors above do not have complete one sided opinions about the people or creatures
being evil or monsters. Rudin seems to have a take that the reason the creatures were doing all
the killing is because they had human like feelings. Every human wants to be loved and have
attention shown to them. Because the creatures were different, all the other humans did not like
interacting with them. Rudin seems to try and tie in that maybe the normal humans are at fault
and can be to blame for all of the creature’s actions because of the way the normal people did not
treat the creatures like humans. Asma also had some of the same ideas as Rudin. He was quoted
saying “The meaning of “monster” is found in its context, in its use.” He means that you really
have to decide for yourself about what a monster really is and what someone does to make
themselves a monster. He does not approve of everything that the Taliban take part in, but
Comment [m6]: Prove his point
Comment [m7]: Reword this
Comment [m8]: Don’t say this, be simpler
Comment [m9]: Explain why new York was the perfect place
Comment [m10]: Use a different word
Chandler 3
accepts that they are humans and should have their own opinions just like everyone else.
The same issue was in each article, and it was that because a certain group of people are
different they decide to take it out on others. The authors agreed that innocent people do not
deserve to be slayed just because they look different or are trying to help someone have a better
life, but they also feel that the reason the creatures or Taliban did these things is because they are
just human. Asma and Rudin are very similar in the fact that they have mixed feelings about
monstrosity and that they also understand that the groups did the evil things only because they
were human.
Chandler 4
Works Cited
Richard Lortz, Dracula's Children {London: Jay Landesman, 1981), pp, 51-52,
Stephen T. Asma, Monsters and the Moral Imagination
Chandler 1
Dylan Chandler
English 1102
Mrs. Redding
Paper 1
January 31, 2012
Mixed Emotions About Monsters
Ever since the world began there has always been evilness evident. Evil has been alive
since the time Jesus walked the earth all the way up until now. There are many different forms
and ways of evilness. Evil to me is when someone or something torments another being for no
other reason than personal satisfaction. Monstrosity is a very unique topic that has many
similarities and differences between different types of monsters.
From Transylvania to the South Bronx is about a group of werewolves that were roaming
streets around the world and terrorizing citizens. The reason these werewolves were doing
terrible things to their fellow citizens was simply because the werewolves were different. These
werewolves were covered in hair and beastly looking. The werewolves mentioned were monsters
because they practiced the art of evil. Rudin depicts a scene in which “Angel half –drops, half-
scuttles, crab-fashion, into the wash of moonlight: metamorphosed: fantastic beast-child and
child-beast, incredibly, long-toothed, golden-eyed, razor-clawed, and snarling, spitting like the
greatest of the great cats, the mouth cavernous with howling, routing death.” Pg. 168. Rudin used
this quote to prove how much of a rage the werewolves could get consumed into. Once this rage
began, innocent lives started being taken by these monsters.
Stephen T. Asma also writes about monsters but he wrote a series of articles about
regarding the Taliban as monsters. The Taliban are a very radical religious group that has very
Chandler 2
strict human rights policies. The laws make their country a very difficult and unpleasant place to
live. Human rights are really no concern for the Taliban as their main concern is making sure
their people are conforming to their ways. An Afghan headmaster was slayed before his family’s
eyes due to him teaching women in his school. Another example of the evil ways of the Taliban
is when the group attacked the World Trade Center in New York City. The reason the Taliban
attacked was because they do not agree with Christian beliefs. Since the majority of the United
States citizens practice Christianity, New York was the perfect place for an event like this to
occur because New York is a symbol of prosperity for America. Asma’s view was that the
Taliban were in the wrong by portraying all of their evilness against innocent people.
Both authors above do not have complete one sided opinions about the people or creatures
being evil or monsters. Rudin seems to have a take that the reason the creatures were doing all
the killing is because they had human like feelings. Every human wants to be loved and have
attention shown to them. Because the creatures were different, all the other humans did not like
interacting with them. Rudin seems to try and tie in that maybe the normal humans are at fault
and can be to blame for all of the creature’s actions because of the way the normal people did not
treat the creatures like humans. Asma also had some of the same ideas as Rudin. He was quoted
saying “The meaning of “monster” is found in its context, in its use.” He means that you really
have to decide for yourself about what a monster really is and what someone does to make
themselves a monster. He does not approve of everything that the Taliban take part in, but
accepts that they are humans and should have their own opinions just like everyone else.
The same issue was in each article, and it was that because a certain group of people are different
they decide to take it out on others. The authors agreed that innocent people do not deserve to be
slayed just because they look different or are trying to help someone have a better life, but they
Chandler 3
also feel that the reason the creatures or Taliban did these things is because they are just human.
Asma and Rudin are very similar in the fact that they have mixed feelings about monstrosity and
that they also understand that the groups did the evil things only because they were human.
Chandler 4
Works Cited
Richard Lortz, Dracula's Children {London: Jay Landesman, 1981), pp, 51-52,
Stephen T. Asma, Monsters and the Moral Imagination
Steven and Dylan
English 1102
February 27, 2012
Paper 2
Lighting Makes a Masterpiece
The title of the film, No Country for Old Men, comes from the first line from William
Butler Yeats' poem "Sailing to Byzantium". The first full line from the poem is, "That is no
country for old men." The film title is important to the film because it announces the dangers of
living in this setting, and that no man is guaranteed safety. No Country for Old Men was written
and directed by the Coen Brothers. No Country for Old Men is a dark and twisted film that can
be very confusing at times. While confusing, the directors did not leave out details to the film.
The detail within the cinematography causes confusion by leading the viewer up to what they
think will happen, whether it happens or not. The Coen Brothers were very specific in the
lighting they used in each scene. The cinematography techniques such as lighting, help the Coen
Brothers define and portray the characters motives, upcoming events, decisions, and personality
in No Country for Old Men.
The lighting techniques used in In No Country for Old Men play a large part in the film.
Many times throughout the film there are characters faces, who are barely lit, fully lit, or even
completely dark on one side. The Coen Brothers use soft lighting and hard lighting to show their
faces. The directors show Chigurh’s face many times throughout the film with half his face
completely dark and the other half completely lit. Chigurh has a very confusing personality. He
chooses to kill people sometimes, but other times to let them go. Through the lighting on his
face, film makers are showing that he has a dark side, but also a side that makes a viewer wonder
Comment [dc1]: Don’t say full line
Comment [dc2]: Too wordy
Comment [dc3]: Ambiguity?
Comment [dc4]: Change to cinematographic
Comment [dc5]: Describe the types of lighting
Comment [dc6]: Who’s faces? The audience needs to know
Comment [dc7]: Explain him being confusing
if he will let his victim go. A keen example is, Chigurh at the store with the old store-owner. The
film makers light Chigurh’s face halfway showing that their is a dark side to him as well as a
lighter side. He goes on to play a game with the store owner by having a coin toss. We believe
the coin toss will determine the store owner’s fate, but then we are also not quite sure. The store
owners face is well lit, acknowledging that he is an innocent man. The Coen brothers use the
lighting on his face to show his innocence and confusion that the coin toss brings. The lighted
atmosphere portrayed in the scene, proves that the lighting or lack their of on Chigurh’s face
,expresses how the viewer does not know what Chigurh’s next move will be. The directors
intentionally use the lighting to draw the feeling of not knowing the next move of the character
out of the viewer.
Chigurh was by far the most confusing character throughout the film. His actions of
killing individuals were very random. The Coen Brothers made the film intending for Chigurh to
be the most confusing character. The lighting displayed on Chigurh’s face throughout the film
was a major part in determining his character. In scenes, Chigurh meets individuals, and
sometimes he kills them and other times he does not. Each scene with each different individual,
his face is shown half lit. The directors used the lighting to keep the viewers on the edge of their
seats by making them attempt to guess at Chigurh’s next move. Through the use of lighting on
the face, the directors used lighting in a particular way to represent his inconsistent thoughts of
whether or not to kill different individuals.
Lighting is not all about the lights though. Each scene shows a different type of lighting.
Clothing is often considered to be a different type of lighting.The settings in different situations
and clothing have a major part in lighting. The Coen brothers used lighting to show personalities
of each character. For example, a scene in the movie shows Chigurh talking to a clerk at a store.
Comment [dc8]: Maybe cut this whole sentence out
Comment [dc9]: Find a better word
Comment [dc10]: Weak words
Comment [dc11]: Don’t be repetitive
Chigurh’s clothes in the scene are black. His clothes represent him as being a dark and evil
person. The clerks clothes are light yellow. The Coen brothers use yellow to bring out the clerks
personality. The directors know that the viewer has no background of the clerks past or his
personality. They use the colors of his clothes to show a more innocent man rather than using
dark colors which are related to evil. Behind the clerk there is a background and its very well lit,
while Chigurh’s background is dark. The Coen brothers want to bring out the personalities of
each character through the backgrounds. Through the dark background behind Chigurh, the
directors know the viewer can relate to his dark past earlier in the film. The directors also know
that the viewers can only assume that the clerks background is good, because of his light
background in the scene.
The techniques of lighting used throughout the film not only show the characters
personalities, but can also be used to show the characters upcoming events. Many events
throughout the film had different changes of lighting through the scene. A good example is the
scene that Llewellyn begins his quest to help the wounded Mexican in the truck. The lighting in
that scene is very dark. As the drug lords meet Llewellyn the lighting is still dark. As Llewellyn
is escaping from the drug dealers, the scene slowly gets lighter. The effect of the scene being
dark and then becoming light, symbolizes Llewellyn slowly escaping. When Llewellyn finally
does escape the scene is fully lit signifying safety from light colors. Dark lighting means that bad
events are happening and, lighter scenes usually mean that events are about to be resolved or
already have been. As the director clearly showed, lighting can be used to show the characters
fate in the film.
The Coen Brothers used lighting to their full advantage. The lighting that was used help
explain characters in a more symbolic way. Personalities were shown through background
Comment [dc12]: Why is yellow a “good” color?
Comment [dc13]: Give a little detail on why he is not evil
Comment [dc14]: New topic means new paragraph
Comment [dc15]: Don’t mention the viewers, just tell what the directors are trying to depict
lighting as well as lighting on their faces. Events that happened in film had lighting that either
showed the good that was about to happen, or the bad that was just about to begin. The Coen
Brothers used lighting to explain characters actions and motives. They wanted the viewer to be
able to draw conclusions from the lighting to explain more about their actions and personality.
The Coen Brothers got more out of the lighting effects rather than the words that were spoken by
the characters, which is the reason the film is such a mysterious masterpiece.
Chandler 1
Steven Tiller and Dylan Chandler
English 1102
February 27, 2012
Paper 2
Lighting Makes a Masterpiece
The title of the film, No Country for Old Men, comes from the first line from William
Butler Yeats' poem "Sailing to Byzantium". The poem states, "That is no country for old men."
The film title is important to the film because it announces the dangers of living in this setting,
and that no man is guaranteed safety. No Country for Old Men was written and directed by the
Coen Brothers. No Country for Old Men is a dark and twisted film that can be very confusing at
times. While confusing, the directors did not leave out details to the film. The intense detail the
Coen Brothers provide causes ambiguity leading the viewer up to what they think will happen,
whether it happens or not. The Coen Brothers were very specific in the lighting they used in each
scene. The cinematographic techniques such as hard and soft lighting, help the Coen Brothers
define and portray the characters motives, upcoming events, decisions, and personality in No
Country for Old Men.
The lighting techniques used in In No Country for Old Men play a large part in the film.
Many times throughout the film there are characters faces, who are barely lit, fully lit, or even
completely dark on one side. The Coen Brothers use soft lighting and hard lighting to show the
characters faces. The directors show Chigurh’s face many times throughout the film with half his
face completely dark and the other half completely lit. Chigurh has a very confusing personality
because he chooses to kill people sometimes, but other times to let them go. Through the lighting
on his face, film makers are showing that he has a dark side, but also a side that makes viewers
Chandler 2
wonder if he will let his victim go. A keen example is, Chigurh at the store with the old store-
owner. The film makers light Chigurh’s face halfway showing that there is a dark side to him as
well as a lighter side. He goes on to play a game with the store owner by having a coin toss. We
believe the coin toss will determine the store owner’s fate, but then we are also not quite sure.
The store owner’s face is well lit, acknowledging that he is an innocent man. The Coen brothers
use the lighting on his face to show his innocence and confusion that the coin toss brings. The
lighted atmosphere portrayed in the scene, proves that the lighting or lack thereof on Chigurh’s
face ,expresses how the viewer does not know what Chigurh’s next move will be.
Chigurh was by far the most complicated character throughout the film. His actions of
killing individuals were very random. The Coen Brothers made the film intending for Chigurh to
be the most puzzling person in the movie. The lighting displayed on Chigurh’s face throughout
the film was a major part in determining his character. In scenes, Chigurh meets individuals, and
sometimes he kills them and other times he does not. Each scene with each different individual,
his face is shown half lit. The directors used the lighting to keep the viewers on the edge of their
seats by making them attempt to guess at Chigurh’s next move. Through the use of lighting on
the face, the directors used lighting in a particular way to represent his inconsistent thoughts of
whether or not to kill different individuals.
Lighting is not all about the lights though. Each scene shows a different type of lighting.
Clothing is often considered to be a different type of lighting.The settings in different situations
and clothing have a major part in lighting. The Coen brothers used lighting to show personalities
of each character. For example, a scene in the movie shows Chigurh talking to a clerk at a store.
Chigurh’s clothes in the scene are black. His clothes represent him as being a dark and evil
person. The clerks clothes are light yellow. The Coen brothers use yellow to bring out the clerks
Chandler 3
personality. Yellow is generally thought of a chill and relaxing color. The directors know that
the viewer has no background of the clerks past or his personality. They use the colors of his
clothes to show a more innocent man rather than using dark colors which are related to evil.
Behind the clerk there is a background and its very well lit, while Chigurh’s background is dark.
The Coen brothers want to bring out the personalities of each character through the backgrounds.
The techniques of lighting used throughout the film not only show the characters personalities,
but can also be used to show the characters upcoming events. Many events throughout the film
had different changes of lighting through the scene. A good example is the scene that Llewellyn
begins his quest to help the wounded Mexican in the truck. The lighting in that scene is very
dark. As the drug lords meet Llewellyn the lighting is still dark. As Llewellyn is escaping from
the drug dealers, the scene slowly gets lighter. The effect of the scene being dark and then
becoming light, symbolizes Llewellyn slowly escaping. When Llewellyn finally does escape the
scene is fully lit signifying safety from light colors. Dark lighting means that bad events are
happening and, lighter scenes usually mean that events are about to be resolved or already have
been. As the director clearly showed, lighting can be used to show the characters fate in the film.
The Coen Brothers used lighting to their full advantage. The lighting that was used help
explain characters in a more symbolic way. Personalities were shown through background
lighting as well as lighting on their faces. Events that happened in film had lighting that either
showed the good that was about to happen, or the bad that was just about to begin. The Coen
Brothers used lighting to explain characters actions and motives. They wanted the viewer to be
able to draw conclusions from the lighting to explain more about their actions and personality.
The Coen Brothers got more out of the lighting effects rather than the words that were spoken by
the characters, which is the reason the film is such a mysterious masterpiece.
Chandler 4
Chandler 1
Dylan Chandler
English 1101
Dr. Bell
11/2/2011
Technology Growths between Generations
Technology has greatly advanced over the last century. The light bulb, color television,
and telephone are only a few of the wonderful inventions we have acclaimed over the years.
These inventions have become excessively abundant and are used by the majority of Americans
every day. Most citizens would be completely lost without their cell phone. Cell phones are now
capable of doing more than ever before. Calling, texting, and picture taking are just some of the
simpler things that can be done with cell phones in this day and time. Many cell phones now
have the ability to check emails, shop online, or upload pictures to Facebook in a few short
moments. College students love the extras that now come with most phones because it allows the
students to check to see if class is cancelled, send a document, or share pictures for a project. The
older generation in America does not understand the advantage of having a phone that is capable
of these tasks that college students take advantage of. My parents and I think differently about
what college students need in a phone.
Cell phone coverage is something that my parents and I agree heavily on. “Can you hear
me now?” This is an all too familiar phrase that cell phone owners use including my parents and
I. All three of us want and expect excellent and dependable service out of our cell phones, but we
do not always get it. I live with my parents in a rural community and we do not have very
reliable cell phone coverage. Dropped calls are something that my dad absolutely hates. He gets
angry when he has to walk around to gain enough service to call someone back due to a dropped
Comment [GSC1]: Use a better word, too generic
Comment [GSC2]: Needs to phones, instead of phone
Comment [GSC3]: Photography is a better word to use
Comment [GSC4]: Just use today
Comment [GSC5]: Don’t name specific websites
Comment [GSC6]: Very wordy and confusing sentence, revise
Comment [GSC7]: Just say the
Comment [GSC8]: Father would sound better here
Comment [GSC9]: Becomes is better word choice
Chandler 2
call. My mom’s cell phone will rarely acquire signal while inside our house. She gets frustrated
when subtle movements of the phone cause the call to be dropped. The only way my mom can
have a conversation on her cell phone is to walk outside. She does not enjoy having to talk
outside on her cell phone, especially when it gets into the cold, winter months. My parents have
read in our local newspaper that a new cell phone tower is in plan for our area of the county.
Mom and Dad are hoping that this is true, and that the tower goes up quickly so they will stop
having phone conversations cut short or having to go outside to talk. I totally agree with my
parents on this topic as I do not enjoy having poor cell phone coverage. I also do not receive
good cell phone coverage while in my bedroom, which aggravates not only me, but my girlfriend
as well. She is away at college and our time we get to talk is very limited with our busy academic
schedules. While talking, the slightest movement to the wrong spot will cause our phone call to
end. She gets very frustrated with me when my phone loses service and losing service can lead to
an argument between us. Cell phones are a great innovation, but without having consistent
coverage they can become a pain to try and talk on.
My parents and I strongly believe that talking is the most important use for a cell phone.
Communication is the reason telephones and cell phones were invented. Communicating with
others now takes seconds to run through telephone lines or satellite signals, rather than taking
days or weeks through mail or word of mouth. Cell phones now are capable of many different
uses such as text messaging, instant messaging, and sending pictures, but my family uses the
talking feature the most. My dad is always getting phone calls about farming or hunting. He
loves to talk, but then complains about his phone constantly ringing. My mom mostly uses her
cell phone to keep up with the people she plays tennis with and when their next match is coming
up. Both of my parents insist that talking on the phone is what they should be used for instead of
Comment [GSC10]: Mother’s
Comment [GSC11]: Becomes
Comment [GSC12]: mother
Comment [GSC13]: replace with planned
Comment [GSC14]: the
Comment [GSC15]: change to becomes
Comment [GSC16]: turn this into two sentences after service and before losing
Comment [GSC17]: change to frustrating one as well
Comment [GSC18]: delete these words
Comment [GSC19]: change dad to father, and always getting to always gets
Comment [GSC20]: delete this word
Comment [GSC21]: add primarily after phone
Comment [GSC22]: this makes the sentence a run on sentence
Comment [GSC23]: don’t use they, use the actual noun, cell phones
Chandler 3
the other extra applications the service providers offer. I agree that talking is what phones should
be used for the majority of the time, but if you have access to other resources such as texting or
sending pictures then you should utilize those resources to your advantage. I spend the majority
of my time talking on my phone to my peers about what assignments we have in class or when
an assignment is due. I like to talk on the phone because it is more personal than text messaging;
however, I still send my fair share of texts.
Texting is something that my parents find more difficult than I do. “It’s a telephone, not a
textaphone,” is what my dad always proclaims if he thinks I am texting too much. My parents
have texting on their phones but rarely use the feature and most of my parent’s texts consist of
the message, “call me.” I disagree with my parents about the importance of texting. Texting is
what I find myself doing on my phone more than any other feature my phone contains. The ease
and simplicity of a text message is what make attracts me to this feature. When I need to contact
someone I send them a text message first because I do not know where they are or if they are
busy. I find texting to be courteous and it allows the recipient to text back when they have time
to communicate back to you. A perfect example of when a text message is courteous is when you
text someone and they are in class. Instead of their phone ringing for thirty seconds it only rings
for one second and is less disruptive to them and their peers. I believe that is why college
students are more likely to text than call because it is more courteous to the people they are
texting.
My parents do not purchase internet coverage on our cell phones because they think it is
not practical, but I think they should purchase it because it would be a convenience while in
college. Cell phones with internet are almost like a handheld computer with all the capabilities
the cell phone companies now offer. Never did I imagine that cell phones would gain internet
Comment [GSC24]: generic word, use , the manner in which
Comment [GSC25]: change to employed
Comment [GSC26]: put cell phone between these two words, and delete on my phone
Comment [GSC27]: simply substitute with father
Comment [GSC28]: use reciprocate communication
Comment [GSC29]: add : after call and delete because
Comment [GSC30]: delete
Comment [GSC31]: add for me after this word
Comment [GSC32]: similar to sounds better
Comment [GSC33]: due to
Chandler 4
capabilities, but I was wrong. My parents do not believe that a cell phone should have internet
because they feel like if you need internet then you should just get on a computer. The high cost
that comes with internet packages is another reason they frown upon cell phone internet
privileges as well. Since I have been in college I have been trying to persuade my parents to put
an internet package onto our cell phone plan. One of the main reasons I want internet is because
of how many emails I am forced to send. Being able to send an email from any location would be
very convenient and would alert you when a professor decides to cancel class at the last minute.
Internet on my cellphone would be a convenient and less stressful way of adjusting to being a
college student by allowing me to gain access to the resources I am constantly using.
If you are in college I believe that you will most likely agree with my opinions. I strongly
believe that while in college you need all the convenience, resources, and social time you can
get. Cell phones can make this possible by utilizing the features available today. I just wish my
parents could see the uses of cell phones through my eyes.
Comment [GSC34]: don’t say like, delete
Comment [GSC35]: simply
Comment [GSC36]: while is a better word choice
Comment [GSC37]: feel that
Comment [GSC38]: change to necessary is the number of
Comment [GSC39]: add a period here
Comment [GSC40]: Change to, It would also alert a student
Comment [GSC41]: Change to constantly need
Comment [GSC42]: Add a comma after college
Comment [GSC43]: Replace with simply
Chandler 1
Dylan Chandler
English 1101
Dr. Bell
11/2/2011
Technology Growths between Generations
Technology has greatly advanced over the last century. The light bulb, color television,
and telephone are only a few of the wonderful inventions we have acclaimed over the years.
These inventions have become excessively abundant and are used by the majority of Americans
every day. Most citizens would be completely lost without their cell phone. Cell phones are now
capable of doing more than ever before. Calling, texting, and picture taking are just some of the
simpler things that can be done with cell phones in this day and time. Many cell phones now
have the ability to check emails, shop online, or upload pictures to Facebook in a few short
moments. College students love the extras that now come with most phones because it allows the
students to check to see if class is cancelled, send a document, or share pictures for a project. The
older generation in America does not understand the advantage of having a phone that is capable
of these tasks that college students take advantage of. My parents and I think differently about
what college students need in a phone.
Cell phone coverage is something that my parents and I agree heavily on. “Can you hear
me now?” This is an all too familiar phrase that cell phone owners use including my parents and
I. All three of us want and expect excellent and dependable service out of our cell phones, but we
do not always get it. I live with my parents in a rural community and we do not have very
reliable cell phone coverage. Dropped calls are something that my dad absolutely hates. He gets
angry when he has to walk around to gain enough service to call someone back due to a dropped
Chandler 2
call. My mom’s cell phone will rarely acquire signal while inside our house. She gets frustrated
when subtle movements of the phone cause the call to be dropped. The only way my mom can
have a conversation on her cell phone is to walk outside. She does not enjoy having to talk
outside on her cell phone, especially when it gets into the cold, winter months. My parents have
read in our local newspaper that a new cell phone tower is in plan for our area of the county.
Mom and Dad are hoping that this is true, and that the tower goes up quickly so they will stop
having phone conversations cut short or having to go outside to talk. I totally agree with my
parents on this topic as I do not enjoy having poor cell phone coverage. I also do not receive
good cell phone coverage while in my bedroom, which aggravates not only me, but my girlfriend
as well. She is away at college and our time we get to talk is very limited with our busy academic
schedules. While talking, the slightest movement to the wrong spot will cause our phone call to
end. She gets very frustrated with me when my phone loses service and losing service can lead to
an argument between us. Cell phones are a great innovation, but without having consistent
coverage they can become a pain to try and talk on.
My parents and I strongly believe that talking is the most important use for a cell phone.
Communication is the reason telephones and cell phones were invented. Communicating with
others now takes seconds to run through telephone lines or satellite signals, rather than taking
days or weeks through mail or word of mouth. Cell phones now are capable of many different
uses such as text messaging, instant messaging, and sending pictures, but my family uses the
talking feature the most. My dad is always getting phone calls about farming or hunting. He
loves to talk, but then complains about his phone constantly ringing. My mom mostly uses her
cell phone to keep up with the people she plays tennis with and when their next match is coming
up. Both of my parents insist that talking on the phone is what they should be used for instead of
Chandler 3
the other extra applications the service providers offer. I agree that talking is what phones should
be used for the majority of the time, but if you have access to other resources such as texting or
sending pictures then you should utilize those resources to your advantage. I spend the majority
of my time talking on my phone to my peers about what assignments we have in class or when
an assignment is due. I like to talk on the phone because it is more personal than text messaging;
however, I still send my fair share of texts.
Texting is something that my parents find more difficult than I do. “It’s a telephone, not a
textaphone,” is what my dad always proclaims if he thinks I am texting too much. My parents
have texting on their phones but rarely use the feature and most of my parent’s texts consist of
the message, “call me.” I disagree with my parents about the importance of texting. Texting is
what I find myself doing on my phone more than any other feature my phone contains. The ease
and simplicity of a text message is what make attracts me to this feature. When I need to contact
someone I send them a text message first because I do not know where they are or if they are
busy. I find texting to be courteous and it allows the recipient to text back when they have time
to communicate back to you. A perfect example of when a text message is courteous is when you
text someone and they are in class. Instead of their phone ringing for thirty seconds it only rings
for one second and is less disruptive to them and their peers. I believe that is why college
students are more likely to text than call because it is more courteous to the people they are
texting.
My parents do not purchase internet coverage on our cell phones because they think it is
not practical, but I think they should purchase it because it would be a convenience while in
college. Cell phones with internet are almost like a handheld computer with all the capabilities
the cell phone companies now offer. Never did I imagine that cell phones would gain internet
Chandler 4
capabilities, but I was wrong. My parents do not believe that a cell phone should have internet
because they feel like if you need internet then you should just get on a computer. The high cost
that comes with internet packages is another reason they frown upon cell phone internet
privileges as well. Since I have been in college I have been trying to persuade my parents to put
an internet package onto our cell phone plan. One of the main reasons I want internet is because
of how many emails I am forced to send. Being able to send an email from any location would be
very convenient and would alert you when a professor decides to cancel class at the last minute.
Internet on my cellphone would be a convenient and less stressful way of adjusting to being a
college student by allowing me to gain access to the resources I am constantly using.
If you are in college I believe that you will most likely agree with my opinions. I strongly
believe that while in college you need all the convenience, resources, and social time you can
get. Cell phones can make this possible by utilizing the features available today. I just wish my
parents could see the uses of cell phones through my eyes.