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number Analysis of the film “Pay it forward” by Leslie Dixon Summary In the film, the main points are highlighted as performing good deeds to others. The author attempts to show that with a will everybody can come up with an idea that would make the world a better place. The pay it forward developed by Trevor during his sociology class proves this point. This is despite the numerous challenges experienced in the course of its implementation. In a persuasive way, it urges individuals to do good since in a short time, it extends to an immense number of people.
These include the initial stages of his attempt to bring Eugene and Arlene together. However, the characters who attempt to follow the chain in this plan overcome the major challenges and are hence able to accomplish its intended purpose. The other main point is about acceptance where the film emphasizes the need to look beyond other peoples physical defects. It is illustrated when Arlene accepts Eugene emotionally despite his possession of physical burn scars. As such, it offers an encouragement to people who are worried not to give up but instead be of good influence to others and the entire world with their life.
With this, those who receive good deeds as beneficiaries are asked to extend it to others as opposed to the person who offered it. In conclusion, the main point is to make people understand that they can become good sociologist by struggling to attain happiness for other people in the world. It revolves around not being afraid to extend help to other people who lack the ability to perform it on their own. Thus, it emphasizes on the provision of the same or higher measure of the good act (Osment, Hunt and Spacey).
Application The themes in the film tend to contradict those in general sociological communications. This is in relation to the message and feedback mechanisms. Instead of this trend it follows an extension format where a message or beneficial act is offered to three other people (Osment, Hunt and Spacey). In relation to the theme of sociological imagination, the main themes of the film can be applied to reveal the great extent of satisfaction an individual gets by performing good deeds to three more people as opposed to the single person who has performed an act of good deed.
As such, through a single and simple deed an individual can change the world. With this, the first action results in the link created between the experience and the entire society. These involve self sacrifice where an individual like Trevor makes all efforts to do good to others despite the danger presented to him. The main topics covered in Chapter 17 relate to the “Pay it Forward” in the sense that they enhance the expression of good deeds to as many people as possible. It shows how contagious performing good acts of kindness to others are.
From the film, greater satisfaction is achieved regardless of the outcome of the good deed. As is the case of Trevor, he dies while attempting to protect a fellow child. However, the deed does not stop at that point since the beneficiary extends it to three other people (Osment, Hunt and Spacey). From there, it extends to a larger number of people. With this, the tiny deed becomes like a tree that produces numerous seeds and fruits. It thus reveals activities that are contrary to the normal daily activities.
It is in the sense that people tend to reward those who offer them good and beneficial acts. In the film, however, an act of good deeds is expected to be extended to three others as opposed to the giver. As such, they should not expect anything out of their good deeds but should let them be expressed to others instead. With this, the connection between a small deed and a great impact is revealed (Osment, Hunt and Spacey). According to the view of the functionalists, the concept in the “Pay it forward” film is a relevant example of how social order can be maintained, in addition to the maintenance of stability in the social sectors.
It brings about an organized social system. In relation to this view, more people who are beneficiaries of good acts will strive to do well to others. Because of this, social stability will be attained by the reduced cases of deviant behavior. Therefore, its impact in the society is considered to be extremely significant towards its stability. It is because it resonates with the idea that every member of the society plays an essential role in contributing to its overall stability (Osment, Hunt and Spacey).
It is in the sense that the individual elements of society, which depend on each other, are organized and brought together. This is because of the idea contained it in regarding doing good to others while expecting nothing in return. Additionally, the single act of goodness to one individual leads to more beneficial acts to a population summing up to the entire world in a short time. With this, the single act is considered a good deed to the entire world since it makes it a better place for all.
Works Cited Pay it forward-we can change the world. Dir. Mimi Leder. Perf. J. Haley Osment, Helen Hunt and Kevin Spacey. 2000.
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