Composition B - Assess or Interpret
Teil III.2 B
Choose ONE of the following:
a)
Assess to what extent Walt and Father Janovich in Gran Torino are each other’s mentors.
Brauchst du noch Informationen zu Gran Torino?
Schau jetzt in unsere Lektürehilfe! Gran Torino: Hier gehts zu den Summaries
OR
Schau jetzt in unsere Lektürehilfe! Gran Torino: Hier gehts zu den Summaries
c)
Interpret the cartoon and comment on its message.
Boris Johnson go-cart cliff edge

source: https://www.chrismadden.co.uk/cartoon-gallery/boris-johnson- go-cart-cliff-edge/
published on July 2, 2020;
accessed on May 10, 2023
published on July 2, 2020;
accessed on May 10, 2023
content 10 VP
language 15 VP
language 15 VP
Weiter lernen mit SchulLV-PLUS!
monatlich kündbarSchulLV-PLUS-Vorteile im ÜberblickDu hast bereits einen Account?
Note:
Our solutions are listed in bullet points. In the examination, full marks can only be achieved by writing a continuous text.
Our solutions are listed in bullet points. In the examination, full marks can only be achieved by writing a continuous text.
a)
In the movie "Gran Torino," Walt Kowalski and Father Janovich play significant roles in each other's lives, but their relationship is more complex than a traditional mentor-mentee dynamic. While they influence and impact each other in various ways, it would be more accurate to describe their relationship as a mutual learning experience rather than a traditional mentorship.
Introduction
- Walt Kowalski is a grizzled Korean War veteran and portayed as a hardened, bigoted man
- he is older and more experienced, thus more likely to be a mentor to the priest than the other way around
- while he initially exhibits prejudice and hostility towards people of different ethnic backgrounds, including Father Janovich, he gradually evolves throughout the movie
- Walt rejects Father Janoviches and undermines his authority by calling him "Sonny" and treating him condescendingly
- Walt ridicules Father Janovich by claiming that he knows nothing about death and life
- he disparages his authority because of his young age
Main Body
Walt Kowalski as a mentor figure
Walt Kowalski as a mentor figure
- Father Janovich is a young and idealistic Catholic priest who wants to connect with Walt and his community
- he initially seeks to serve as a spiritual guide for Walt, offering him advice and trying to understand him better
- however, Father Janovich's attempts are often met with resistance, rejection and sarcasm from Walt
- as the story progresses, Father Janovich learns valuable lessons from Walt's experiences and actions
- Walt challenges his naive and idealistic views, forcing Father Janovich to confront the harsh realities of life and the complexities of morality
- Father Janovich, on the other hand, challenges Walt in equal measure and pities him by calling him on the fact that he knows more about death than life
Walt concedes
- despite Walt's insults, Father Janovich is presistent when trying to convince Walt to confess in order to find peace
Walt, however acts dismissive
Father Janovich as a mentor figure
- While Walt acts as a mentor to Tao, his relationship with Father Janovich can be described more as a mutual learning experience
- as Father Janovich tries to understand and connect with Walt, he begins to recognize the depth of Walt's character and the reasons behind his prejudices
- Father Janovich learns to appreciate the complexities of human nature, challenges his own preconceptions, and gains a more nuanced perspective on life
- simultaneously, Walt also learns from Father Janovich's unwavering faith, humility, and compassion
- through his interactions with Father Janovich, Walt starts questioning his own beliefs and realizes the importance of forgiveness and redemption
- Father Janovich's presence serves as a catalyst for Walt's personal growth and transformation
- ultimately Walt starts to respect Father Janovich and even allows him to use his first name
- although the priest tries to mentor Walt, he is eventually mentored by Walt
- Walt starts to go to confession; even though he does not indulge to the function of a true confession
- Father Janovich admits that he knew nothing about life and death before meeting Walt
- in the end Walt and Father Janovich respect each other, have developed a greater understanding and have learned from each other
Mutual Learning Experience
- In conclusion, while Walt Kowalski and Father Janovich impact each other's lives and serve as significant influences, their relationship in "Gran Torino" can be better characterized as a mutual learning experience rather than a traditional mentorship.
- Walt acts as a mentor figure to Thao, while Father Janovich plays a role in challenging Walt's beliefs and facilitating his personal growth.
Conclusion
b)
- the cartoon depicts Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, in a go-cart with the Union Jack on the side heading over the edge of a cliff
- he is shown holding an unattached steering wheel in his hand, and his speech bubble states, "don't worry - I've got my hands firmly on the steering wheel."
Main Body
Description of the cartoon
Description of the cartoon
- the cartoon seems to be a satirical representation of Boris Johnson's leadership and decision-making abilities, particularly in the context of Brexit and the United Kingdom's relationship with the European Union
- the presence of the Union Jack on the go-cart signifies the country's identity and the potential consequences of Johnson's decisions regarding Brexit, the (Nothern) Irish border situation and the corruption and lies for instance
- the imagery of him in a go-cart, which is typically associated with amusement and leisure rather than serious governance
- suggests that he is not taking important matters seriously, his immature behaviour and hints at scandals such as Partygate
- the fact that the steering wheel is unattached highlights a lack of control or direction
- it implies that Johnson's claims of being in control and having a firm grip on the situation are empty or unreliable
- despite his reassurances, the cartoon suggests that he is heading towards a dangerous situation or potential disaster represented by the cliff
- furthermore, the absence of any visible support or companionship in the cartoon symbolizes Johnson's isolation or detachment from other political figures or allies
- it could suggest that he is solely responsible for the outcome and that his decisions may not have widespread consensus or backing
- the speech bubble's statement, "don't worry - I've got my hands firmly on the steering wheel," presents a satirical contrast to the visual depiction
- it implies that Johnson is confident and in control, assuring others that he knows what he is doing
- however, the visual elements of the cartoon contradict this statement, implying that his confidence may be misplaced or disconnected from reality
Interpretation
- Johnson's time in office has been marred by various controversies and ethical concerns
- these include allegations of dishonesty, conflicts of interest, and cronyism
- critics argue that these issues undermine public trust in the government and raise questions about the integrity of Johnson's leadership
- while supporters argue that Johnson successfully delivered Brexit, opponents point to the negative consequences and uncertainties surrounding the UK's departure from the EU
- concerns include potential economic disruptions, trade challenges, and the impact on businesses and citizens, particularly in sectors heavily reliant on EU markets
- in my opinion, the cartoonist illustrates the situation of the fall of Great Britain quite well, considering the situation Boris Johnson has put the UK in by his inability to take advice and compromise
Comment
- overall, the cartoon's message aligns with a critical viewpoint on Boris Johnson's leadership, emphasizing concerns about his isolation, lack of control, and potential risks to national interests
- it reflects a perception that his assurances may not match the reality of his actions and their potential consequences
Conclusion