Curricular Resources > 1989 Volume IV > Unit 5 (89.04.05) > Section 2

Detective Fiction: Its Use as Literature and History

CONTENTS OF CURRICULUM UNIT 89.04.05

Unit Guide

American Detectives: On TV and in Books

Jane K. Marshall

Tools for this unit:

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Additional Lesson Plans

I. Film: In the Heat of the Night
____ A. View in class (taking notes on the use of film elements; see 1988 unit, “America in Film and Fiction,” for discussion/definitions of film elements. Hand-out available for students.)
____ B. Sample questions : film elements
____ ____ 1. Comment on the opening music. Is it appropriate? Explain. (background music)
____ ____ 2. Why is Tibbs’ face not shown as he leaves the train? Why do his legs/feet fill the frame? (composition)
____ ____ 3. Comment on the use of blue light as associated with Tibbs and orange light as associated with Gillespie. How is the use of lighting echoed in characters’ clothing? (lighting)
____ ____ 4. Contrast Tibbs and Gillespie with regard to ways of speaking, posture, and movement. (dialogue/subject movement)
____ ____ 5. Temperature (heat) is symbolic in this film. Explain. How is the feeling of heat projected in this film? (film stock)

6. Comment on the use of high angle and low angle shots during the scene where Gillespie discovers that Tibbs is a police officer. (points of view)

7. Discuss the use of shadows in interior settings (police station, cell). Who casts shadows (Tibbs or Gillespie)? Discuss the use of the cross motif (shadow on wall of cell). (lighting)

8. A wide angle shot is used when Tibbs is leaving the Endicott home. How does this serve to enhance the character of Tibbs? (subject movement) Discuss the use of the pan shot in depicting the Endicott home. (camera movement)

9. Discuss the use of synchronous and asynchronous sound during the scene where Tibbs is threatened by the town’s hoods.

10. Why is Delores Purdy often depicted within a tilted frame? composition)

C. Questions: film adaptation of the novel

1. Are Poitier/Steiger’s renditions of character true to Ball’s creation? Explain.

2. Is the setting as portrayed in the film recognizable as the original setting? (Discuss the film ‘s renditions of setting and character.)

3. Why were the following changes made in the film version?

a. Endicott (in the film version) is a racist and the number one suspect of Tibbs.

b. Tibbs is confronted by physical danger many more times in the film version.

c. The character of the abortionist is included in the film. (What is gained and lost with such changes?)

D. Film/television episode: Other than additional time (which enables better character delineation) what does film offer that television does not? Why? Could TV be doing more?

II. Outside Reading
____ A. Choose either a Parker novel or a Gardner novel for outside reading.
____ B. Follow-up assignment: report to be presented in class based on the following questions:
____ ____ 1. Why did you choose the Gardner or Parker novel?
____ ____ 2. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel: crime committed, motive for crime, denouement as handled by detective
____ ____ 3. Discuss particular issues which are raised during the course of the novel which seem to reflect its particular setting. Possibilities: family issues, drugs/alcoholism, political/government issues, racism, women’s issues, environmental issues, issues of morality. How are these issues made clear? What is the author’s stance regarding these issues? Are the issues viable today?

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	6. Comment on the use of high angle and low angle shots during the scene where Gillespie discovers that Tibbs is a police officer. (points of		view)
	7. Discuss the use of shadows in interior settings (police station, cell). Who casts shadows (Tibbs or Gillespie)? Discuss the use of the cross motif		(shadow on wall of cell). (lighting)
	8. A wide angle shot is used when Tibbs is leaving the Endicott home. How does this serve to enhance the character of Tibbs? (subject movement) Discuss the use of the pan shot in depicting the Endicott home. (camera		movement)
	9. Discuss the use of synchronous and asynchronous sound during the scene		where Tibbs is threatened by the town’s hoods.
	10. Why is Delores Purdy often depicted within a tilted frame? composition)
C. Questions: film adaptation of the novel
	1. Are Poitier/Steiger’s renditions of character true to Ball’s creation? Explain.
	2. Is the setting as portrayed in the film recognizable as the original	setting? (Discuss the film ‘s renditions of setting and character.)
	3. Why were the following changes made in the film version?
		a. Endicott (in the film version) is a racist and the number one suspect of Tibbs.
		b. Tibbs is confronted by physical danger many more times in the film version.
		c. The character of the abortionist is included in the film. (What is gained and lost with such changes?)
D. Film/television episode: Other than additional time (which enables better character delineation) what does film offer that television does not? Why? Could TV be doing more?