Film Analysis 1- Akeelah and the Bee

Kristen Halbritter
September 28, 2016
COMM 320
Film Analysis 1

Akeelah and the Bee

1. 'How does the movie "Akeelah and the Bee" show the relationship between self-concept, self-esteem and communication behavior? Cite specific examples from the movie in support of your arguments.'

In the movie, the relationship between self-concept, self-esteem, and communication behavior is demonstrated quite well.  In the beginning of the movie, Akeelah was bullied because she got good grades on her spelling tests and as a result is called a freak, looked down on, and laughed at.  Because of being bullied and looked down upon by her peers, Akeelah doesn't have a good self-concept and as a result has bad self-esteem as well.  Because of her low self-concept and esteem, she avoids social situations that would potentially make her peers laugh at her.  This is why she was reluctant to participate in the School Spelling Bee, because she feared being laughed at and did not think she was good enough to begin with.  However, as the movie progresses, Akeelah gains support from her community and gains confidence in herself.  Her self-esteem and self-concept begins to improve and she seems a lot more happy and sociable.  After she made a friend at the District Spelling Bee, Javier, she begins to be more sociable and even goes to a birthday party where she feels accepted and welcome.  She is more open to socializing and is less hostile and to herself.


Another example is Dylan, the boy who is practicing and going to compete in the National Bee.  He avoids social situations due to his father's strict regimen.   His father doesn't show good support and has super high expectations of him.  To Dylan's father, winning is everything.  He is verbally abusive to Dylan and puts him down on various occasions.  As a result, Dylan is very quiet and to himself.  He is pretty withdrawn and does not socialize well. He acted pretty hostile towards Akeelah when they first met, and I assume his behavior is due to his self-concept, which is affected by how he is treated by his father.



2. 'Identify at least one incident of ego busting behavior and one of ego boosting behavior as evident in the film."

Ego Busting:  There were quite a few instances of ego busting behavior.  One example was after Akeelah won the School Spelling Bee.  Dr. Larabee asked her to spell some hard words and when she didn't spell one right, a bully yelled from the back 'shes not so smart!' and started laughing.  You could tell it really bothered Akeelah because she ran out of the room and expressed that was why she didn't want to participate in the Bee.


Ego Boosting: One example of ego boosting that I saw in the film was when Javier, a friend Akeelah met at the District Bee, helped her pin on her number and wished her good luck in the Spelling Bee.  Another example was when Akeelahs brother told her she should do the Bee and gave her encouragement.


3. 'Explain how self-fulfilling prophecies shape the self-concept and influence communication.'

If you tell yourself you can do something, you are sure to follow.  Self-prophecies greatly effect the outcome of situations and help develop one's self-concept.  In the movie, Akeelah told herself that she wanted to win the National Spelling Bee, and she did!  Additionally, her community gave her awesome support and told her that she would do great.   Many community members even helped her study.  Their support had a big effect on the outcome of the Bee.  If her community did not show their support the way they did, I am confident that the result would not have been the same.


4. 'Identify one stereotype depicted in the film.'

One instance of stereotyping that was spotted in the film was when Akeelah's brother said that she would be going up against a bunch of rich white kids and that she would get torn up in the competition.  He implied that white kids/people are rich.


Another instance was when Dylan's father took him aside after Akeelah almost beat him in Scrabble and said something like, 'If you can't beat a silly black girl in scrabble, how are you going to win nationals?'  To me, he implied that a black girl like Akeelah can't be smart. 


5. 'What factors influenced Akeelah's perception of the importance of the Spelling Bee?'

There were quite a few factors that influenced Akeelah's perception of the importance of the Bee.  One factor would be when Akeelah's mother talked to her and told her about how she dropped out of college and told her to not follow in her footsteps after Akeelah was thinking about dropping out of the Bee.  Another factor would be when she realized how much it effected the perception and reputation of her school and community.  Her participation in the Bee gave good publicity to her school and community.  I think another factor that made the Bee important to her was the fact that she made a good friend, Javier, from it.  She found a group of kids she could connect and relate to and she felt like she belonged.  The influence of her new friends as a result of the preceding Bees made the National Bee important to her.  The main factor that made the Bee important to her was the fact that her community was relying on her and had great faith in her.  She felt that making them happy made the Bee important.


6. 'Using the Pillow Method, explain the disagreement between Akeelah and her mom regarding the Spelling Bee.'

Background:  Akeelah is studying for the Spelling Bee and as a result is ignoring her school work.  She has so far worked her way up to compete in the District Spelling Bee and doesn’t want to stop now.  Because of her studying for the Bee, she is failing her classes and needs to do summer school.  However, during the summer is when she would have to study her hardest for the Spelling Bee. Akeelah really wants to do the Spelling Bee and does not like being at school.

Position 1: I’m right, she's wrong
(From the point of view of Akeelah) She has worked very hard to qualify for the District Bee and has the support of her principal and from Dr. Larabee. She is excelling in spelling and wouldn’t want to let her principal and Dr. Larabee down.  She also made friends that she can study with that support her.  Additionally, the principal made her Spelling Bee preparation go towards some school credit.  Her mother is wrong to make her give up all her hard work after getting this far when school can be made up another time.  She is also wrong because she doesn’t know or ask Akeelah whats going on in school and has no idea what Akeelah goes through regarding bullying, etc. 

Position 2: She's right, I’m wrong
Akeelah’s mother is right to say that she should be worried about her other school work.  If Akeelah hates the school so much, why doesn’t she do her school work to avoid spending more time there than she has to?  She could always compete in the Spelling Bee next year, after she's back on track with her schooling.

Position 3: Both are right, both are wrong
Both Akeelah and her mother are right.  School is important and should be focused on to be successful, and Akeelah has already come thus far so why would she turn back from competing in the Spelling Bee?  School could be made up at another time because the principal is on board, and Akeelah could compete in the Spelling Bee next year instead of this year.

Position 4: The issue isn't important
Both the Spelling Bee and school are not important when looking at the big picture.  Because either could be made up at another time, it doesn’t matter what Akeelah decides to do.  If she focused on school, she would be able to participate in the Bee next year.  If she did the Bee, she would get some credit and would be able to make up school work later on thanks to her principal.  What she choses doesn’t matter because she will be able to do both in the long run.

Position 5: There is truth in all perspectives
Both perspectives of the issue have truth to them, and Akeelah shouldn’t be so focused on getting her way of competing in the Spelling Bee.  Her mother has the right intentions to worry about her grades and how she is doing in school.  In the long run, having peace between Akeelah and her mother is what matters most and she has the opportunity to do either thing in the future.

7. 'If you were to write a tweet about a lesson that could be learned from this film, what would your tweet say?'


I would say, “I just watched ‘Akeelah and the Bee’ and I want to mention some important lessons I took from the movie.  You can accomplish anything, even when the odds are against you.  You can succeed at anything as long as you dedicate yourself to it.  When you feel overwhelmed, have faith that your hard work will prove successful, and know that your family and community will always help and support you.  When people put you down, know that they are intimidated by you, and walk away with confidence.  Know that you are infinitely valuable and are surrounded by people who love you.  Ultimately, never give up when the going gets tough.  Always do your best and take pride in your accomplishments.  These are the lessons I received from watching ‘Akeelah and the Bee,’ and I hope that you can apply them, just as I plan to.”

Reflection on Chapters 3 & 4

Kristen Halbritter
September 21, 2016
COMM 320
Reflection 2

Chapter 3

1) The Film "Way Way Back"

"Can you think of significant others who have influenced how you think and feel about yourself?  How have those messages affected the way you communicate with others?" -Looking Out Looking In pg. 67

 I can think of people who have lowered and raised my self esteem.  I had a "friend" who would make negative comments about the way I dressed and about how my face looked, especially when I would break out a little, and would negatively comment on a lot of other things as well.  However, since then, my boyfriend has helped me with my self esteem a lot over the duration of our relationship.  He has seen me when I've looked my worst and would still think I'm beautiful and would make sure I was aware of it. 

Before I was in a relationship with my boyfriend, the other person I mentioned before was the person I spent the majority of my time with. (I look back now and wonder why I spent so much time with them when they would only make me feel awful about myself.  You live and learn I guess.) Anyways, when I was with that person a lot, I remember being more to myself and more of a hermit rather than wanting to be around other people. I think that had a lot to do with my self esteem. I think that I felt pretty worthless a lot of the time and didn't want to be around a lot of people because I believed everyone felt the same way my "friend" did about me and my looks. Now, after a lot of reassurance and lots of positive comments and gestures, I feel a lot more confident and feel less intimidated speaking my mind and going out with other people.  I feel that I have more worth and feel more confident with the way I look.  Positive comments have greatly impacted my communication with others, and I feel that it has even helped me with my stuttering problem because of the confidence boost. 

2) Talking with Little Girls

a. "Do you think people talk differently to little girls than they talk to little boys? If so, offer examples."

b. "What impact does communication with children have on the development of their self-concept and self-esteem?"

c. "Do you generally agree or disagree with the author's central point about talking to little girls? Explain why or why not."

 -Looking Out Looking In pg. 73

A. Yes, I think people talk to little girls differently than they talk to little boys. For example, the first thing I say about my little cousin, Jesse, is that shes so cute.  I think about the way she dresses and how beautiful shes going to be when she's older.  Her sister, Rowan, I also comment on how cute she is to her mother. (Shes a baby).  Most older kids or people want little kids to like them when they are around them.  And the easiest thing to say to a little girl is "You look so pretty!" I mean, you can never go wrong with a comment like that.  You're sure to make a friend of the little girl with a comment like that.  However, if you tell a little boy how cute they are or comment on how they dress, they won't like you too much.  They'll respond with a disgusted face and won't be too impressed with you.  With boys, you talk about trucks and other interests they may have to make a connection with them.  

B. If you comment on a little girl's appearance too much, they will begin to think that being pretty is important and wrap themselves up into making sure they look that way. Comments like that gives hints that that is the way they are supposed to be. If you don't talk to them about other things like their hobbies and interests and only comment on looks and beauty, their personhood gets fully wrapped up in that one thing.  That is why it is important to talk about books and other interests so little girls do not think their self worth comes from the way they look.  If little girls are repetitively told that they look pretty, they will begin to anticipate and expect that comment and will work to get the comment.  If they don't get the comment they are looking for, their self-esteem may be lowered because that is now a part of their self-worth. 

C. I definitely agree with the author's central point.  Before reading the article, I never really thought about how something as simple as a comment can effect a little girl's future self-concept so much.  I agree because I see the point she makes as valid.  As I explained above, what you comment on or take interest in with little girls or boys helps them determine what is important.  We should try to connect on a deeper level with little girls by asking about interests instead of bringing up looks and appearance.  From now on, I plan to bring up interests instead of looks when talking with little girls because I believe doing so will help them in the future with their perception of self-worth and self-esteem. 

Chapter 4

1) The comedy "Dear White People" 

"When do you stereotype others? How does that affect your relationships with people from different backgrounds?" -Looking Out Looking In pg. 108

Because of media like movies or the news, I think people are conditioned to stereotype people of different ethnicity or background. The media portrays certain character types for different ethnicities and therefore conditions the public to see people of that ethnicity in the same way.  I'll be honest in saying that I am guilty of stereotyping others.  However, after I correlate something bad with someone just because of their ethnicity, I quickly correct my thinking.  I know stereotyping is wrong, and I think it is a very corrupt and inaccurate way of thinking.  Being Native American and being immersed in the culture and surrounded by my family that is greatly involved in the Oneida Nation, I have seen first hand the negativity, misconceptions, and even discrimination towards Native people.  

Because I correct my stereotypic thinking and actively try to avoid thinking that way, I think it has no affect on my relationships with others.  One of my best friends is Jamaican, and I feel comfortable among any group of people.  It may not affect how I treat others, but what goes on in my mind, if I'm among a group of people with different backgrounds, is whether they think that I think badly of them. In other words, I worry about what they think I'm thinking.  Ultimately, I feel that my current relationships are not affected by stereotyping.  When I think about media and how it has affected people and how they think, I have to speculate whether or not perceptions of how others think has prevented me from making new friends from different backgrounds.  In other words,  I wonder if someone has avoided me because they think I wouldn't want to be friends with them because of what they think I think of them. In that aspect, stereotypic thinking may have negatively affected potential friendships.  

2) The film "Enough Said"

"Has your narrative opinion of another person shifted after receiving new input from others?" -Looking Out Looking In pg. 112

Yes, plenty of times.  Additional information has negatively and positively affected my perception of people.  When the new input was negative, the majority of the time I would be in shock and couldn't believe it because my original perception and knowledge of the person was good. When the new input was positive, it would improve my perception of the person.  However, after receiving negative input about a person, I don't let it affect my relationship with them.  Everyone makes mistakes, no one is perfect, and I think of how everyone deserves to be loved.  If they don't experience love, how can the person change their ways? If I treat them differently after receiving bad information, what does that say about me?  It makes me no better.