Hairspray, the movie.

1.)  Define: setting.  Describe the setting--in detail--keeping in mind the complete definition of setting.  The setting is a collection of things; music, place, time, era; items in a room or the room itself.  In 1962, black and white teens integrated, to produce a teen dance show, The Corny Collins Show.  It takes place in Baltimore, with a middle class family, in a suburban area, within a modest home.  The music is hip, the style of clothing and hair little risky, and then there is the discussion of appearance. And the family dynamics.

2.)  Why and how is the setting important in the story?  Music is for the dancing, the show is the setting for the integration and the time line or era is related to a period of change and acceptance.

3.)  What is the major conflict in the story?  Who or what is the major conflict?  The major conflict is integration of black and white, as related the the show and the relationship between two young teens.  Looking at the conflict as a generational thing between the older adults and the teens.

4.)  In what ways do the conflict advance or influence the plot of the story?  Name at least two.  One way the conflict advances is when the "black" part of the show is cancelled and the ratings drop.  So then they have to find a different way to keep the ratings of the show high.  Another, "difference", is when Tracy a fat white girl, dances on the show, all girls should be skinny, but the crowd; and the relationship that transpires between Tracie and Link.  Then there is the conflict with Tracys friend "Penny", when she falls in love with a person of color. Her mother traps her in her room to keep her from seeing him.

5.)  The title of the play is Hairspray.  What or how is hairspray significant/important to the story? I don't believe the title is related to the product, hairspray.  At the beginning, Tracy sprays hairspray and creates a cloud  this could resemble how people's minds and beliefs are clouded when it comes to change.    Then, what does hairspray do?, it holds hair together, bonds each strand to fit it into place, that is what the teens are doing with integration.

6.) Define: theme.  List and explain at least three themes in the story.  A theme to a story is what the author is trying to convey, the central idea or the meaning that one perceives by participating in the story by watching, and how they feel after all is said and done.  This can be directly or indirectly expressed in the story line. 
One theme is the trails and tribulations of being a teen and trying to grow up and make change, and for it to be accepted.
Another, is the difference is people, fat versus skinny, black versus white and wealthy versus middle class.
And third, but very important, is having your ideals be accepted by the community, the world.

7.)  Listen carefully to the final song of the movie.  What does it mean--not just for the story itself, by for you, too?  The final song "you can't stop the beat", involves change, there will always be change even if you don't accept it and that there is a back-up to ideals of change.

8.) Tracy sings to her Mom "welcome to the Sixties."  In what ways have things changed over the years--from the sixties to now--based on what Tracy sings about as well as the themes of the story?  That integration did happen and is acceptable.  That a woman does not have to stay in the home and be sheltered, a women can have fun and be of importance.  Many things have changed, women have become a powerful part of society and children have more individuality and are heard as well as seen.

9.)  Why do you think the director chose to use a man (John Travolta) to play the part of Tracy's mom?  Once you answer this question for yourself, do little research and see if you can find out the real reason why the director chose to use a man.  Compare your answer/opinion to the real reason.  I thought it may have to do with the substance of change, that things are not what you perceive them to be.  Then when I did some research, I found out that the original person for the role was a transvestite.

10.) What have I missed?  What do you want to say about Hairspray that I haven't asked about?  It would be interesting to know what age group of the students choose this assignment?  It may be discriminatory, like the movie, but interesting??