Read into the visuals, looking for symbolism, tone, theme, etc. As always, address the work from all three levels of reading — literal, inferential, and evaluative. One paragraph is sufficient, but make sure it’s a highly developed paragraph. Here is the link for the short film, entitled The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Less more….

QUESTION

Read into the visuals, looking for symbolism, tone, theme, etc. As always, address the work from all three levels of reading — literal, inferential, and evaluative. One paragraph is sufficient, but make sure it’s a highly developed paragraph. Here is the link for the short film, entitled The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Less more.

Analytical paper.

• This week, you will be analyzing an animated film short that doesn’t even include any dialog or narration, so you will focus a lot on the visuals rather than on text. You can still conduct a “close reading” on the inferential level, though. Read into the visuals, looking for symbolism, tone, theme, etc. As always, address the work from all three levels of reading — literal, inferential, and evaluative. One paragraph is sufficient, but make sure it’s a highly developed paragraph. Here is the link for the short film, entitled The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=143&v=Ad3CMri3hOs&feature=emb_logo

• In addition to your main response, you must also post substantive responses to at least two of your classmates’ posts in this thread. Your response should include elements such as follow-up questions, further exploration of topics from the initial post, or requests for further clarification or explanation on some points made by the classmates.

PEER 1

The short film ”The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore”. Reflects the story of a man who is surrounded by many books. He is writing a story when all of a sudden a strong storm hits his town. All the books are swept away by the strong winds, and all the words from the book on his lap have also flowed away.  It seems as he is dedicated to his books and as soon as he loses them, his world turns gray; a form of showing that he feels lost and hopeless without them. As he walks around the destroyed town, he looked up and sees a woman holding a bunch of flying books. She hands him a book that brings color back to his life.  Thanks to the book he was given, he finds his place in life again. Entering a library full of books, he notices that the picture of the woman who gave him the book is hanging on the wall; as generations pass, books never die and are handed to others as time goes on. He finds an old forgotten book on a shelf and restores it by reading it. He continues all his life writing in the book he once started before the storm hit. When he finally finished his book, he is an old man. As he walked out of the library his story ends. All of the books he once took care of are handed to a young girl; the generation of books continues.

PEER 2

This short film begins with a young man writing a book on his balcony but is swept away by a storm which could represent hard moments in life. Through twists and turns he ends up in a deserted dark place which takes away the fire within him that was ignited by books. He walks around the deserted town and finds a path of what looks like pages that were torn out from books. As he looks up he sees a colorful girl taken away with flying books. I think the girl with the books represents hope, and if we believe in hope things will once again be bright. He goes on to find a house full of books that changes him and now he becomes once again what he was, a happy book lover. We see how these books change his life and made him want to write again. Throughout his life in the book house, many “grey” people would pass by and when he gives them a book it seems to change their life. This film is about the importance of reading books and how they can make a difference in everyone’s life. George R.R. Martin said “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, the man who never reads lives only one.”. Books make you go away do a different reality, they make you imagine things, and they help you cope with hard moments.

ANSWER

In the animated short film “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore,” the absence of dialogue and narration allows the visuals to take center stage in conveying a profound and emotionally resonant story. The film begins with a literal depiction of a man surrounded by books, symbolizing his deep connection to the world of literature and storytelling. The sudden storm that sweeps away the books and the words from his own story represents a significant loss and the disruption of his creative journey. As he wanders through the destroyed town, the desaturated and gray tones visually convey his feelings of loss and hopelessness.

However, the inferential level reveals a transformative moment when he encounters a woman holding a bunch of flying books. This encounter introduces the theme of hope and the transformative power of books. The woman’s act of handing him a book brings color back into his life, both metaphorically and literally. The vibrant and lively books symbolize the revitalization of his spirit and his rediscovery of purpose. The subsequent entrance into a library, filled with countless books, signifies a sanctuary and a source of knowledge and inspiration. The presence of the woman’s picture on the wall suggests a generational continuity, highlighting the timeless nature of books and their ability to touch lives across time.

The evaluative level invites us to reflect on the significance of the protagonist’s journey. As he finds an old forgotten book and restores it by reading, it emphasizes the transformative power of storytelling and the ability of literature to connect people across generations. The protagonist’s lifelong dedication to writing in the book he started before the storm further reinforces the idea that storytelling is a lifelong pursuit that carries on beyond one’s own existence. The final act of passing on the books to a young girl underscores the idea that books continue to inspire and shape lives, perpetuating the cycle of imagination and knowledge.

In conclusion, “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” captivates viewers through its masterful use of visuals to convey symbolism, tone, and theme. The absence of dialogue allows the visuals to communicate on multiple levels, from the literal representation of events to the inferential exploration of symbolism and theme. The film’s highly developed and emotionally resonant storytelling engages viewers on all levels of reading—literal, inferential, and evaluative—leaving a lasting impression of the transformative power of books and the enduring impact of storytelling.

PEER 1 RESPONSE

Your analysis of the short film “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” provides a comprehensive exploration of the visual elements and themes present in the film. I particularly liked how you highlighted the symbolism of the storm and the loss of the protagonist’s books, which effectively conveys his feelings of despair and hopelessness. Your interpretation of the woman with the flying books as a symbol of hope and the transformative power of literature adds depth to the analysis. Furthermore, your exploration of the generational continuity and the significance of passing on books to the young girl reinforces the theme of the enduring impact of literature. Overall, your analysis demonstrates a thorough understanding of the film’s visuals and their symbolic meaning.

PEER 2 RESPONSE

Your analysis of “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” offers insightful observations regarding the symbolism and themes present in the film. I agree with your interpretation of the storm as representing difficult moments in life and the transformative power of books. Your mention of the grey people and their transformation upon receiving books highlights the positive impact that literature can have on individuals. The quote from George R.R. Martin effectively captures the essence of the film’s message about the importance of reading and its ability to transport and inspire. Overall, your analysis provides a thoughtful exploration of the film’s themes and the significance of books in our lives.