The Castle A Critical Study of a Feature Film Text

This study programme uses the Australian feature film The Castle to exemplify the ways in which a text confirms or challenges the attitudes and values of its audience.

BY TONY HUGHES

Questions within the pro- * how attitudes and values are con- gramme will help students discover veyed in films how the construction of a text encour- The programme reinforces the view ages particular responses in its viewers. that: Students will be encouraged to view the * films are texts — all texts are ideo- film as a cultural artefact, considering logical the society that produced the film as * films are constructions, versions of well as the audiences that have viewed reality the film and generated its popularity. * films present complex sets of atti- Questions within the programme are tudes and values designed to explore the notion of: * films position the viewer to respond * text construction in certain ways * genre * film has its own language Dennis Denuto (Tiriel Mora) and Lawrence Hammill QC (Charles * attitudes and values * the values and attitudes presented are ‘Bud’ Tingwell) * point of view related to the values and attitudes of the * by viewing the film as a shaper of in- * verbal and non verbal language film’s audience

TION formation The following elements will be * a text can reinforce or challenge a * by considering the film as position- central to this study: society’s existing attitudes and values ing the viewer * the shared conventions of narrative * viewers make sense of films through * by considering the ways in which the SCREEN EDUCA — setting, plot, character, conflict codes and conventions context of the script writers and the * how these are created on film How do we make meaning of context of the viewers meet together to * specific aspects of film language The Castle? create meaning ISSUE 20/21 * by viewing the film as a construction 36 A central focus of this pro- * people fighting for their home The Castle highlights aspects of gramme is a study of the narrative * a man’s home is his castle what it is to be Australian. Characteris- structure. This is a study of the way in * home is where the heart is tic assumptions include a view of opti- which the storyline of The Castle makes * challenge of the individual to author- mism in the face of adversity, admira- meaning in our world. Narrative can be ity tion for the larrikin and the individu- considered in the following terms: * David v Goliath alistic nature of a rebel. The satirical Narrative Structure 1 * a nuclear family whose members love nature of the script is exemplified by each other the description of the film in the pro- Internal and Intrinsic to the film * a satirical view of suburban working- duction teams web site (Working Dog) (story, plot, structure) class life www.thepanel.com.au/wdog.html: The Castle tells the story of a * greed of large corporations and dis- The Castle is a sweeping saga that working-class Australian family who regard for the rights and feelings of the takes the harsh Australian out- live adjacent to ’s individual back, the rugged characters of the Tullamarine airport. The family is a * stereotypical gender constructions of Anzac legend, the spirit of Banjo close-knit group who love and support the nuclear family Patterson and ignores them in fa- each other. The plot centres on the * the individual and the law — the vour of a greyhound racing tow- family’s desire to keep their home de- phrase from the Constitution (Section truck driver who never meant to spite the compulsory acquisition order 51,31) that deals with individuals be- be a hero. placed on it by the local authority. ing treated ‘on just terms’ is a central Beliefs, values and assumptions Darryl Kerrigan, the loving father, hus- issue in the film include: * construction of the Australian ‘bat- tler’ * the importance of the quarter acre block to the national mind set * leisure activities and the holiday home * challenges to authority by ‘little’ Aus- tralians * Australians’ ability to laugh at them- selves * myth and Australian character Audiences of Cultural and Ideological Narratives Audiences construct the mean- ing of a film from the symbols that are The Kerrigan family presented on the screen. There will be Genre: Recurrent patterns in many similarities in the meanings they band and provider, sets out to fight for film-making occur because of audience construct but there will also be some ‘his castle’ and support his mates in preference and the success of particu- variation. It is not possible for there to their desire to keep their homes. The lar patterns of story telling. These pat- be as many variations as there are mem- storyline profiles the family, their inter- terns reflect the audience’s cultural bers of the audience because language ests and their stereotypical roles, and background. Many Australian feature has to be a shared experience, not an by doing so reveals a humorous view films have, for example, adopted a individual one. Education is one factor of Australian suburban lifestyle. that will affect the ways in which mem-

documentary style. This style is adopted ISSUE 20/21 Narrative Structure 2 in The Castle through the home movie bers of the audience construct mean- Archetypal Narratives (recurrent narration of Dale Kerrigan. ing from a film. A knowledge of Aus- tralian suburban life and humour pro- patterns in story-telling and film- Narrative Structure 3 SCREEN EDUCA making) vides a framework for the story, but is Cultural and Ideological Narratives Recurrent patterns linked to The not essential to understanding the film. (particular beliefs, values and Castle and the universal appeal of the An awareness of topical events and assumptions that we as viewers TION plot line: ideas will also give another insight into adopt to make sense of our social the attitudes in the film. The distinc- world) 37 tively Australian references to Hey Hey is reflected in the character of Darryl * a user programme enabling the It’s Saturday, holidays in Thailand, Kerrigan in The Castle. The character teacher or student to create a printed cheap Rolex watches and ‘bargains’ is a composite of various types. We see programme of study for use in the from The Trading Post gesture towards aspects of the Aussie battler empha- classroom common experiences for many Austral- sised. In this representation, the char- The questions in the fourteen ian viewers. Other factors such as gen- acter takes on many of the traits of the category sections present a range of der, ethnic background and economic bush myth — he values mateship, and ideological positions that influence the status cut across the various levels and despises authority, bureaucratic insti- way teachers formulate questions on forms of education. tutions and snobbery. (Consider the plot. The package is the third in a se- Myth in Feature Film representation of the official govern- ries of English study programmes writ- ment bodies in this film.) The Austral- ten by Tony Hughes to support the Feature film is an important ve- ian male is often laconic in his speech, teaching of Critical Literacy in the Eng- hicle for mythology. Stereotypes of rugged in his appearance, and individu- lish classroom. The first and second family, society and a country are com- alistic. He survives by instinct and wit. packages present the same structural municated through film. The Kerrigan components as The Study of Plot in Eng- family uphold a range of mythical be- Satire lish and are designed to support the liefs of a ‘typical’ Australian working- Satire is used to make the sub- teaching of character and setting. The class family, embodying stereotypical ject matter appear ridiculous. It can packages can be used together or inde- gender roles, occupations and ideas evoke amusement, contempt, indigna- pendently in the design of teaching pro- about leisure preferences. An Austral- tion or scorn. It is distinct from com- grammes. ian audience watching The Castle will edy because its primary aim is not sim- The Study of Plot in English as- recognise the film as Australian. This ply to amuse. Language is often used to sumes the traditional view that there recognition comes partly from the use criticise an individual, an institution, a are a number of plot elements that can of familiar places and things — the sub- nation or even a whole race. Satire can be used to shape and structure a narra- urban lifestyle for example — however be used to undermine an argument or tive. These elements combine to pro- there is something about the beliefs and deride inexact language. The subject vide a framework for the story. The plot attitudes of the characters which is also matter of satirical comment is, broadly is therefore primarily concerned with intrinsically Australian. The concept of speaking, the human condition. Com- the action of the story. The writer of myth helps explain our recognition of mon topics that are satirised include the narrative will use devises to impose the less tangible elements in the film. politics, gender and bureaucracy. Sat- order and create a planned sequence of Darryl Kerrigan is constructed ire should not merely make the audi- events. There is an obvious link be- using common myths such as that of ence laugh at someone else’s discom- tween the way we approach the teach- the Aussie larrikin who has contempt fort, but should make one seriously ing of plot and the way we teach both for authority, values a ‘fair go’ for all and evaluate the weakness highlighted by character and setting. supports his mates. Another character- the writer. Questions within each of the istic embodied within this character is Consider the following: packages draw upon historical and so- his resilience and his spirit in the face *What is being satirised? cial contexts in the production and re- of adversity. All of these attributes are * What criticisms are being ception of texts. They help students to common myths explored in many Aus- made? think about the ways texts both reflect tralian films. * What techniques are used to and construct ways of thinking about Main points to consider: make these criticisms? people and places and encourage stu- * the way in which Australian The Study of Plot in dents to reflect on their own responses film is constructed to mythologise both English: The Castle and how they relate to their own social Western Culture and Australian Na- and historical situations. The questions TION tionalism Study Programme within the package are grouped into the * representation of race The Study of Plot in English is an following fourteen categories of plot * representation of class interactive computer programme, de- study: * marginalised women signed with four basic structural com- Section 1: Predictions About Plot & * privileging mateship ponents: Expectations As Readers * representation of patriotism * 150 questions on character under 14 category sections Section 2: Plot Exposition

AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCA * representation of Australian mascu- Section 3: Character Construction linity * specific film text programme using And Plot A recurring figure in Australian exemplified question types * supporting ideological commentary Section 4: Writer’s Portrayal Of Plots ISSUE 20/21 films is the ‘typical’ Aussie bloke. This classifying question types Section 5: Gender Characteristics Of 38 Plots Section 6: Rising Action fying in another application. This will Questions on The Section 7: Common Plot Patterns export the selected questions as a text Castle (from The Study Section 8: Plot Conflict file called QUESTION.TXT. This file of Plot in English) Section 9: Stereotypical Elements Of will be either on the top level of the hard Section 1: Predictions About Plot & Plot drive, or inside the same folder in which Expectations As Readers Section 10: Climax And Suspense you have placed The Study of Plot in 1. Before you begin viewing The Castle, Section 11: Interactive Elements Of English. you may already be thinking about Character, Setting And Theme Assessment 1: what it may be about and the structure Section 12: Intertextual Emphasis In pairs, students are required to of the narrative. You may have viewed Section 13: Social And Cultural select one question from each category Frontline or other productions written Context Of Plot of The Castle programme using the by , , Santo Section 14: Reviewing A computer programme The Study of Plot Cilauro or . If you have, Construction Of Plot in English. Each pair of students will what expectations do you have about How to create your own select their own specific programme of the storyline? questions which they will then programme of 2. Some predictions you make may be download into a word processing docu- questions drawn from information provided in 1. Question Selection and Modification • Select Main Menu from the Opening Screen • Click Start Selection of New Set of Questions button • Choose a question category by click- ing a button • Choose the questions you wish to use by clicking the select button beside the entry (a ‘Yes’ will appear under the se- lect button of each question you choose) • To change an existing question, choose User Modified Questions, make your changes, then click the select button be- side the entry Sal Kerrigan (Anne Tenney) and Darryl Kerrigan (Michael Caton) • To add questions from other catego- the title of the film, the promotional ries to your selection, simply return to ment and answer their own bank of material and the video cover. Write the main menu by clicking the Main questions. Each pair will need to print down a list of things that may help you Menu button and repeat the above steps out their set of questions and answers. to predict events that take place in The 2. Producing a Worksheet This will form the first part of this unit Castle. • Once all selections have been made, assessment. 3. Before you view the film, you will click the Preview, Print or Delete Se- Mark — out of 20 probably have expectations about the lected Question button at the top of the Assessment 2: kind of plot frameworks you are going questions window or at the bottom of Using the knowledge gained to encounter. Sometimes you guess cor- ISSUE 20/21 the Main menu through your study of plot in The Cas- rectly and at other times your expecta- • Choose your next step tle you will be set an in-class Non-Print tions are challenged or you are disap-

— Enter Worksheet Header Informa- AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCA Comment Essay. Each student will be pointed. What are your expectations? tion to enter a title for your worksheet allowed to bring their set of questions 4. Do you think that this film will end (optional) and answers from Assessment 1 into the with some kind of resolution? Explain — Preview or Edit Selected to preview test. The question is unseen but will how you reach your opinion. or further edit your selection deal in some way with narrative struc- 5. Do you think that characters will have — Print Selected Questions to print ture (internal and intrinsic to the film, conflict resolved at the end of the film? your selection archetypal narratives and cultural and

Explain your answer. TION — Export Questions As Text File to ex- ideological narratives). 6. The Castle is a comedy about a work- port your selection for saving or modi- Mark — out of 20 39 ing-class Australian family. Can you Comment on the cultural and social constructed through a consideration of predict what will happen to characters influences that support the exposition Con Petropoulous’ role in the film? in the course of the storyline? of plot in The Castle. 35. Role play character traits of one 7. We have been able to construct a pre- 19. Writer’s often construct plots that member of the Kerrigan family. diction of what may happen in the plot. appear to conform to our expectations 36. Plot transforms a character from a Jot down the things that helped you to as viewers. Explain how The Castle ei- static construct to a life-like human construct your predictions. How many ther conforms to or disrupts your ex- being. Explain how this is achieved of these things are a part of Australian pectations. within the construction of one mem- culture and society? 20. How are the Kerrigan family con- ber of the Kerrigan family. 8. From the opening scene of The Cas- structed within the exposition of the 37. How does plot reveal to the viewer tle, how do you expect the plot to de- plot? elements of Sal Kerrigan’s personality? velop and change in the course of the 21. How is the situation of the Kerrigan 38. Select one character from The Cas- text? home constructed within the exposi- tle. What choices does the plot force the 9. The Castle is a comedy about the tion of the plot? character to make? Kerrigan family who live beside an air- 22. What does the way the plot is intro- Section 4: Writer’s Portrayal Of Plot port. The family go to great lengths to duced suggest about the values and at- 39. What influence do you think the protect their home from compulsory titudes of the Kerrigan family? writers’ social and cultural background acquisition. Predict some events that 23. Is there anything about the exposi- will have on the plot of The Castle? could take place as the family set out to tion of The Castle that makes it differ- 40. What point of view do the writers keep their home. ent from other texts you have viewed of this film assume in the telling of this 10. We see events unfold through the or read? story? narration of the youngest son, Dale 24. Design a chart to highlight the most 41. Plot is a devise used by writers to Kerrigan. How do you think this nar- significant features of plot during the impose order on what is essentially dis- ration will effect the telling of this story? opening sections of The Castle. order. Comment on how the writers 11. What audio, written, symbolic and 25. Tape a conversion between Darryl impose order in the construction of the technical codes are provided in the first and Sal Kerrigan revealing the establish- Kerrigan family. section of the film give the viewer an ing storyline of the film. 42. Is the plot of The Castle written in a insight into the developing structure of Section 3: Character Construction form that you have come to expect? the text? And Plot Provide examples from the film to sup- Section 2: Plot Exposition 26. To what extent can we predict the port your answer. 12. What are we told about the appear- behaviour of Steve, Dale, Wayne and 43. In what ways does the plot challenge ance of characters and setting that con- Tracey through reading an outline of us as viewers and require us to fill in tributes to our understanding of plot the plot? ‘gaps’ and ‘silences’ in the text? exposition in The Castle? 27. How are the Kerrigan family con- 44. What techniques do the writers 13. How is plot structure established at structed within the confines of the plot? employ in order to develop the rising the beginning of the text through the 28. What do we learn about Dennis action of the plot? documentary style narration of Dale Denuto (the local lawyer) through the 45. Why do you think the writers have Kerrigan? type of storyline that the character is chosen to construct a plot that deals 14. Through what form of narrative placed within? with the plight of the ‘underdog’? structure is the plot introduced? 29. Are the characters believable con- 46. Explore elements of comedy in the 15. Note details about the Kerrigans’ structs of the plot? plot using one of the following: role home in the opening scenes of the film. 30. What methods do the writers use play, mime, dramatic monologue. What do these details tell us about the to construct significant aspects of char- 47. How do the writers help us experi- possible development of the plot to fol- acterisation? ence the pleasure and pitfalls of a typi-

TION low? 31. How do the writers reveal the cal day at 3 Highview Crescent, 16. ‘Every man’s home is his castle’. Kerrigan family’s love for and support Cooloroo? What are the significant features of plot of each other? 48. What is the writers’ intention with that support this contention? 32. What attitudes and values are em- regard to their ordering of events in The 17. How are features of the plot expo- bodied in the personality of Darryl Castle? sition presented? Look closely at details Kerrigan? 49. What specific elements of plot are

AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCA of the Kerrigan family’s lifestyle to sup- 33. In what ways does the plot reveal being constructed in The Castle? port your answer. the cultural context of Australian sub- 50. What perspective on events does the 18. Attitudes and values are often es- urbia? viewer have access to through the nar- ISSUE 20/21 tablished in the early parts of a film. 34. What reading of character can be ration of Dale Kerrigan? 40 51. What assumptions can we make 60. To what extent does the viewer’s ton? Describe what the characters learn about Darryl Kerrigan’s qualities (cour- cultural and social context determine about themselves. age, integrity, honesty, selfishness) from his/her reading of this comedy film? 70. This plot could be described as a his actions, and from the descriptions 61. How do Tracey and Con’s gender contemporary satirical comedy. De- of the way in which he carries them out? characteristics change according to scribe the ways in which the plot of The 52. To what extent are our expectations readings based on a specific cultural Castle reflects this definition. challenged by unconventional struc- context? 71. The Castle concerns Darryl tures and by ‘gaps’ and ‘silences’ in The Section 6: Rising Action Kerrigan’s fight against the compulsory Castle? 62. Conduct a role play activity in which acquisition order placed on his family Section 5: Gender Characteristics Of characters describe their role in the ris- home. Outline the plot pattern of this Plot ing action of The Castle. film. 53. Think about the gender construc- 63. What does Lawrence Hamilton’s 72. Many satirical comedies involve a tion of Tracey. What would you change speech in the High Court reveal to the plot that engages characters in a quest in the plot if Tracey was male? viewer about the rising action of the for an object, treasure, place or even a 54. Would it make any difference to the story? person. Describe the plot pattern of The story if Tracey was the opposite sex? 64. In what ways are the tensions be- Castle. Explain your answer. tween characters demonstrated 73. Some plots engage the influence of 55. Would you describe Bonnie Doon through the rising action of the story? a mysterious stranger who exerts great influence upon a community or a fam- ily. In what ways does the character of Lawrence Hamilton operate within this plot pattern? 74. Some plot patterns conceal the true identity of characters from other char- acters or the viewer until near the end of the film. Trace the relationship be- tween Lawrence Hamilton and Darryl Kerrigan from their first meeting to the end of the film. 75. Many plot patterns concern the at- traction of lovers who have overcome a number of obstacles before a happy ending can be established. Describe the relationship between Darryl and Sal Kerrigan within this plot pattern. 76. Many plot patterns concern obsta- Darryl Kerrigan (Michael Caton) and Dennis Denuto (Tiriel Mora) cles that prevent characters from get- ting together or staying together. De- as a typical male environment? Explain 65. What techniques have the writers scribe Wayne Kerringan’s role within your answer. used to sustain the fight against the the context of the nuclear family. 56. How do male characters behave compulsory acquisition order on the 77. In some plot patterns, a character within one section of intense drama in Kerrigans’ home? or group of characters face a situation this film? 66. To what extent do characters reveal that concerns the solving of problems 57. How do female characters behave themselves through the rising tensions to achieve a satisfactory conclusion. within one section of intense drama in of the film? Describe the ways in which The Castle

this film? 67. In what ways is suspense and ten- adopts characteristics of this plot pat- ISSUE 20/21 58. How does the gender of characters sion developed in The Castle? tern. inform the way action takes place in The 68. How do the writers of The Castle Section 8: Plot Conflict

Castle? achieve rising action in the court room? 78. Find two examples of conflict in SCREEN EDUCA 59. To what extent do characters con- Section 7: Common Plot Patterns different settings in The Castle. Explain form to or disrupt established gender 69. In what ways does the plot pattern what each conflict reveals about the roles within the storyline of The Cas- reveal a journey of self-discovery for plot. Explain what each conflict shows

TION tle? Darryl Kerrigan and Lawrence Hamil- us about the value systems of charac- 41 ters operating within the plot. 93. Is the plot of The Castle believable Section 11: Interactive Elements Of 79. Prepare and enact in small groups or does it conform to a particular type Character, Setting And Theme selected segments of the court scenes. or adopt stereotypical characteristics? 105. In what ways do characters match 80. How do Darryl Kerrigan and Denis 94. Is Darryl Kerrigan constructed as a the film’s plot? Explain the link between Denuto deal with conflict? fully rounded or stereotypical charac- character behaviour and storyline. 81. How do Sal (the mother) and Tracey ter in this story? 106. In what ways does the plot reveal (the daughter) deal with conflict? 95. Write a short scene from The Castle attitudes and values of the characters 82. How many instances of conflict be- that demonstrates some stereotypical that operate within this construct of an tween characters can you find in The actions of Darryl Kerrigan. Australian working-class family? What Castle? 96. How do social and cultural expec- elements of this construct do you be- 83. Find two examples of conflict be- tations help us to identify stereotypical lieve to be realistic? tween characters: Explain what each elements of the courtroom scene? 107. In what ways does the plot trans- conflict shows us about the values of 97. Did Dennis Denuto behave in a pre- form the Kerrigan family from static each of the characters. What do these dictable manner in the courtroom stereotypical constructs into life-like conflicts show us about the themes of scenes? Explain your answer. human beings? the text? Section 10: Climax And Suspense 108. Plot is just a mechanical means to 84. Explain how conflict establishes the 98. Select a character and demonstrate display the actions of characters. Pre- view that honest battlers are taking on how she/he operates during the climax pare an argument for or against this greedy developers. of the film. contention making reference to your 85. Describe a situation from the film 99. How is the climax of the film viewing of The Castle. that exemplifies Australian working- class attitudes and values. 86. Describe the way in which humour and satire are used to reveal the atti- tudes of the characters. 87. Describe the satirical humour em- ployed to construct the lake-side holi- day home at Bonnie Doon as a place of serenity. 88. Some plots create conflict between a character and unknown forces. Exam- ine the ways in which The Castle works with this idea. 89. Many modern texts create situations in which human beings are in conflict with bureaucracy. Provide examples from The Castle of this type of conflict. Steve Kerrigan (Anthony Simcoe), Darryl Kerrigan (Michael Caton), Sal Kerrigan (Anne Tenney) and Section 9: Stereotypical Elements Of Dale Kerrigan (Stephen Curry) Plot 90. Recognisable Australian characters achieved? 109. How is Dennis Denuto positioned include the noble savage, the ocker, the 100. Which scenes in your opinion pro- in terms of plot? bushman, the Aussie battler and a stere- vide a climax to the film? 110. What role does Dale Kerrigan play otypical view of women within a harsh 101. What events of high action would in the exposition of this film? Australian environment. Describe the you describe as the climax of this film? 111. What role does the setting of 3

TION way in which one character from The 102. How do you think you would have Highview Terrace, Cooloroo play in the Castle conforms to one of these con- behaved if you had been in Darryl exposition of this film? structions. Kerrigan’s position? 112. How is the setting of the High 91. Describe the actions of characters 103. In what way has the story changed Court filmed in order to build suspense that may draw sympathetic or unsym- as a result of the climax in the court- into the plot? pathetic responses from the viewer. room? Section 12: Intertextual Emphasis

AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCA 92. Consider one scene from The Cas- 104. What techniques are used to cre- 113. Compare the way the Australian tle. What elements of the plot line are ate suspense during the film’s climax? holiday home is represented in The predictable? Provide examples to sup- Castle and one or more other texts. ISSUE 20/21 port your view. 42 114. Imagine you are writing a novel tle would change if the story was set in lowing plot elements occur in The Cas- based on The Castle. What changes to a small country town. Where would you tle: exposition, conflict, rising action, the plot would you make? site the Kerrigan home to create a simi- climax, resolution. 115. How do other films in the same lar plot-line? 143. Create a diagram or flow chart to genre as The Castle help you predict el- 130. How do we learn of Con outline the significant conflicts that ements of plot development in this Petropoulous’s social background? occur in The Castle. film? Consider the plot and setting in answer- 144. How does the concept of ‘plot’ 116. What conventions within the plot ing this question. shape your viewing? Consider your ex- pattern of The Castle are ‘borrowed’ 131. What events take place at 3 pectation of how the court case should from plot patterns of the same or dif- Highview Crescent that act as signposts end in answering this question. ferent genres? to reveal particular social and cultural 145. Why is it useful to study the plot 117. In what ways is the plot of The attitudes and values. of The Castle from a social and cultural Castle similar to plots of other texts you Section 14: Reviewing A position? have viewed or read? Construction Of Plot 146. Has ‘plot’ been viewed differently 118. What features do you recognise 132. What devises have the writers used (or meant something different) in other which make the plot of The Castle simi- to impose order into the plot of this eras? Consider how the contemporary lar to other plots in other texts? film? suburban setting of The Castle posi- 119. How do plot patterns manifest 133. How do exclusions in the plot ef- tions the viewer to respond to ‘plot’. themselves within text types? Provide fect your reading of setting? Consider 147. How do you think The Castle examples from The Castle and one or the scene at Tracey and Con’s wedding should have ended? more other texts of your choice to sup- reception in answering this question. 148. Describe the point you consider to port your answer. 134. How do you as a viewer react to be its climax. Identify the specific Section 13: Social And Cultural the construction of the plot? Consider frames of the film that in your view cre- Context Of Plot how much you need to know about ate the highest point of climax. 120. Build up a picture of the cultural Australian idioms in answering this 149. In what ways do you think the and social context of The Castle. question. viewer’s personal response to The Cas- 121. In what ways does the plot of The 135. What influences a viewer’s reaction tle will be determined by his/her cul- Castle reflect social and cultural condi- to the holiday location of Bonnie tural and social background? tioning? Doon? Consider your own personal 150. Does your personal response to the 122. What cultural knowledge do you conditioning. plot of The Castle change with succes- need to understand the plot of The Cas- 136. Make up four statements that you sive viewings? tle? think best sum up the stages of devel- With special thanks to Michael Hirsh, Rob 123. What satirical comments are made opment in the court case. Sitch, Jane Kennedy, , Tom about the cultural and social life of 137. If you were asked to rewrite The Gleisner and all at Working Dog for their working-class contemporary Mel- Castle as a novel, how would you alter kind permission to include The Castle: A bourne in the plot of The Castle? the sequence of events to suit a written Critical Study of a Feature Film Text in the 124. What qualities, attitudes and val- medium? computer programme The Study of Plot in ues are supported through the actions 138. How would you film moments of English. of the Kerrigan family? high tension between characters? Select Special thanks also go to Jennie Hewitt 125. In what ways does the plot con- one small section of The Castle to illus- (Head of English), Julie Bull and Year 12 struction of The Castle reflect the vari- trate your answer. English students at St Hilda’s Anglican ous ways that we (as viewers) make 139. Would you have ended the film in School for Girls, W.A. for the trialing of

sense of the world? the same way as the script writers? Ex- questions and their contributions to the pro- ISSUE 20/21 126. How does the plot of The Castle plain your answer. gramme design. Sincere thanks also go to reflect the reality of life in suburban 140. The media of Western popular and Rod Quin, Head of English at Balcatta Sen-

Australia? literary culture often adopt a number ior High School, W.A. for his work on the AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCA 127. What particular elements of plot of different plot patterns. Describe reading of feature film which strongly in- in The Castle make a criticism of cul- some of the patterns that emerge in the fluenced my approach to this programme. ■ ture and society? Explain your answer. construction of The Castle. 128. What have you learnt about social 141. Discuss one of the central turning and cultural groups through studying points in The Castle. The Castle? 142. Create a time-line on which you

TION 129. Consider how the plot of The Cas- identify points at which any of the fol- 43