Using the "what do I know/how do I know it" chart exercise we worked on in class, record what you know about each character's identity and how you know it. As discussed in class, be sure to cover the following categories of identity: sex, gender, race, class, sexuality (both orientations and behaviors), ethnicity, religion, value systems, and the stereotypical role/identity that the character represents.
Compare these characters to each other. In what ways do Cyn and Katherine serve as foils to Tess? In what ways do Katherine and Mick serve as foils to Jack? What is the overall ideology represented in these foil relationships?
[Note: A "foil" is a character whose characteristics make you appreciate the opposite characteristics in another character by comparison. For example, in the recent movie Titanic, the piggish behavior of the Kate Winslett character's fiance (he acts like he owns her, he only really cares about himself) makes you appreciate the noble behavior of the character played by Leonardo DiCaprio (he lets her be herself, he cares more about her than himself).]
Compare these characters to each other. In what ways are the characters foils for each other? Especially examine the foil relationships between Annie and Lora, Sarah Jane and Susie, and Sarah Jane and Lora. What is the overall ideology represented in these foil relationships?
Your Assignment: Create two tables of "what do I know, and how do I know it" about these two groupings of characters, one for Working Girl (due Monday 3/23) and one for Imitation of Life (due Wednesday 3/25). We will use these charts as a starting place for an essay which answers the question, "How is identity examined in the films Working Girl, Imitation of Life, and Salt of the Earth?"