Characters in the Film; Stand By Me
Ok, here are a few questions to organise your thinking; We will do Gordie as a class, then you will do the others on your own/ in groups. Use bullet points to organise thoughts under each question. Remember these are your study notes for the end of year exam!
Gordie:
What is he like?
Chris:
What is he like?
Teddy:
What is he like?
What are his main problems issues that he tells us about in the film?
Vern:
What is he like?
Gordie:
What is he like?
- determined, lonely, good morals and values, brave, good friend, loyal, smart, writer, creative, storyteller, good decision maker, feels unloved, rejected by folks,
- G is ignored by his dad, who loved older son Denny more.
- 4 months ago Denny died and the family unit has fallen apart because the parents loved Denny and G becomes invisible, as they are struggling to cope with D’s death.
- Denny was G’s father figure and supported, protected and loved him. He is lost without the constant love and support from D.
- Chris, they share hopes, dreams, problems as they both have parent issues.
- Chris becomes like a father figure and encourages G to succeed.
- G & C are more mature than the other boys.
- Trust each other implicitly (absolutely)
- C fills the hole left by Denny’s death
- Denny’s death
- ignored, unloved by parents
- G is a talented writer, Dad refuses to recognise this, tells him to play football instead (gridiron)
- G hasn’t accepted D’s death, as he gets closer, begins to grieve
- Thinks his dad wanted him dead instead of Denny
- Doesn’t have faith in writing ability
- accepts D’s death, by seeing dead body and protecting it from the gang and treating it respectfully
- Goes to college, becomes a writer
- Denny first, then Chris
- He is a good, loving father
- He becomes a writer, succeeds and has belief in himself despite his parents.
- He accepts D’s death, when confronted by the dead body and can move forward
- Stands up to gang, doesn't let the gang take the body, good person, makes the right choice
- Becomes the tough leader
Chris:
What is he like?
- Leader, brave, strong, supportive, hides pain, acts tough, loyal, good friend, doesn't believe in himself, low self esteem, considered a 'bad egg' because family is dysfunctional. Glue that sticks group together.
- Dad is alcoholic, violent, mum not in picture, brother in bad gang/ trouble. Nothing is expected of him. C is worried that he won't succeed.
- Gordie, they share hopes, dreams, problems as they both have parent issues.
- Chris becomes like a father figure and encourages G to succeed.
- G & C are more mature than the other boys, find the solutions
- Trust each other implicitly (absolutely)
- C fills the hole left by Denny’s death, because he wants G to succeed, supports his writing.
- Looks up to G, doesn't want to be bad kid, wants to get out of Castle Rock to succeed in spite of family.
- Family situation
- Doesn't want to be bad kid, wants to get out of Castle Rock to succeed in spite of family.
- Talks through all issues with G, who believes in him and lets it all out
- Gets out of Castle Rock
- Goes to college with G
- Becomes a lawyer, but then gets stabbed and dies
- G tells C he can be anything he wants - not defined by family
- G takes C to college with him.
- Let go of being the tough guy, and share his problems
- Stands up to brother, doesn't let the gang take the body, good person, makes the right choice
Teddy:
What is he like?
- immature, one man army, damaged, risk taker, thrill seeker, low self esteem, tests his limits, attention seeker, cries for help.
- father is mentally unstable, attacked Teddy (3) and burned his ear half off. Teddy lives with Mother under cloud of "Crazy family." Teddy clings to the only positive info he has about his dad, "Stormed the beach at Normandy"
- Vern, common interests - Gordie shows sympathy and protects him.
What are his main problems issues that he tells us about in the film?
- Absent, unstable dad
- Not resolved
- All of the boys want to support and help T, but don't really know how.
- He didn't, lived a sad, lonely life.
Vern:
What is he like?
- Does not want to be there, even though it was his idea.
- Not very brave - often scared
- follower not a leader
- baby of the group
- immature and superstitious - childish
- Not much info
- Brother hates him
- Brother is part of the (older) gang
- Most friendly with Teddy - dancing on tracks and singing
- Friends with everyone and no-one
- Bullied at school for being the fat kid
- Brother beats him up
- Scared of life
- Lost his pennies
- Despite being scared he completes mission/ journey
- no other problems really resolved
- Film is not about him
- Gordie, understands Vern's problems and doesn't hassle him
- Vern completes the quest with the boys
- Closer friendships - best time of his life