The Truman Show: One Man in a Perfect Society.

Utopia is defined as a place of ideal perfection especially in laws (rights), leadership, and social conditions. Almost all the basic elements of utopia are presented at one time or another in this brilliant, original film.

Truman Burbank (played by Jim Carrey) has grown up, and lives, in a town full of actors; however, the “town” is actually the set of the world’s largest television show, enclosed in a giant dome decked out with high-tech simulations of sun and sky, in which the rain and wind are courtesy of the special effects department. Truman alone has no idea he is in a world created by the director of The Truman Show; the rest of humanity watches him in a nonstop telethon of reality programming, allowing audiences to vicariously enjoy life in a perfect society.

Although there are some that would tell Truman the truth about the “fake” world he lives in, Christof, the director, passionately defends lying to Truman on the basis that the “real world” is far more painful and “sick” than the idyllic existence created for Truman in the utopia of Seahaven.

1)  As you watch the movie, take notes on the ways Truman’s world meets—or defies—the definition of utopia as we understand it, and how living in a controlled society affects Truman.

Utopian Questions / Dystopian Characteristics / Truman Show Notes
• Are the rules and laws of the society good? Do they have the best interest of citizens at heart? / • Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society.
• How does the creator/leader try to maintain a perfect society? / • Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted.
• A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society.
• Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance.
• How does the leadership manipulate the environment and/or influence the citizens’ understanding of the environment? / • Citizens have a fear of the world outside society.
• Citizens are dehumanized.
• How are individual interests balanced with the best interests of the greater society? (In other words, who benefits more?) / • The natural world is banished and distrusted.
• Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad.

2) After viewing the movie, you will decide just how successful Christof was in creating a utopia for Truman. Imagine that, given the success of the show, Christof has been asked to create another “Truman” show. Your task is to write a letter to the network executives in an attempt to persuade them of your opinion—should they make the show or not?

In your letter, you must not only express your views about the success of this utopia, but attempt to persuade your audience that your conclusions are the right conclusions. Therefore, your letter must be convincing, appealing not only to the executives’ sense of reason (logic), but to their conscience and emotions as well; this also means that you must refer to and explain specific examples from the movie—and perhaps examples from life, literature, and history—in support of your argument.

PROS: What are the positives of this society? Others like it? / CONS: What are the negatives of this society? Others like it?
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The final letter should be at least one and a half 1.5-spaced pages of 12 point Times New Roman font (or equivalent).

Due: “We accept the reality of the world we’re presented.”-Christof

Rubric for the Persuasive Letter

CATEGORY / 5 / 4 / 3 / 2-1
Audience
x2 / Demonstrates a clear understanding of the potential reader and uses appropriate vocabulary and arguments to appeal to the reader’s heart and mind. Anticipates reader’s questions and objections and provides thorough, appropriate answers for audience. / Demonstrates a general understanding of the potential reader and uses vocabulary and arguments appropriate for that audience. May anticipate and address the reader’s objections. / Demonstrates some understanding of the potential reader and uses arguments appropriate for that audience. / It is not clear for whom the author is writing or the writing is often inappropriate for the intended audience.
Purpose/Focus
x2 / The letter provides a clear, strong statement of the author’s position on the topic (thesis). The purpose is consistent throughout. / The letter provides a clear statement of the author’s position. The purpose is consistent throughout. / The letter has a purpose, but does not make the author’s position clear. / There is no purpose or thesis.
Opening / Opens with a polite introduction, explaining the purpose of the letter.
Clearly identifies the issue.
Strongly and clearly states a personal opinion or position. / Opens with an explanation of purpose. Some references to the issue.
Clearly states a personal opinion or position. / Opens with a reference to the purpose of the letter. Little or no references to the issue.
Personal opinion is not clearly stated. / Purpose for the letter is unclear. There is no reference to the issue.
Personal opinion is noteasily understood.
Support for Position
x6 / Includes 3 or more reasons (examples from the film, real-life experiences) that logically or emotionally support the thesis.
The writer anticipates the reader’s concerns, biases or arguments and has provided at least 1 counter-argument.
All of the facts and examples are specific and relevant; explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the position. / Includes 3 or more reasons (examples from the film, real-life experiences) that logically or emotionally support the thesis.
Most of the facts and examples are specific and relevant, and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author’s position. / Includes 2 reasons (examples from the film, real-life experiences) that logically or emotionally support the thesis.
At least one of the facts and examples is relevant and has an explanation that shows how that piece of evidence supports the author’s position. / Includes 1 or fewer reasons (examples, real-life experiences).
Facts and examples are not relevant and/or are not explained.
Organization and Structure
x4 / Arguments and support are provided in a logical order that makes it easy and interesting to follow the author’s train of thought. Sentences and paragraphs are complete, well written and varied. / Arguments and support are provided in a fairly logical order that makes it reasonably easy to follow the author’s train of thought. Sentence and paragraph structure are clear. / A few of the support details or arguments are not in a logical order, distracting the reader and making the letter seem a bit confusing. Sentence and paragraph structure are unclear. / Many support details or arguments are not in order, distracting the reader and making the letter seem confusing. Little or no evidence of sentence or paragraph structure.
Conclusion / Cements the argument for the opinion in a strong concluding statement. / Summarizes the argument in a concluding statement. / Concluding statement is a weak summary of personal opinion. / Concluding statement makes no reference to a position.
Tone/
Language
x2 / Chooses words that are clear, descriptive, and accurate. Maintains consistent persuasive, respectful tone throughout. / Adequately chooses words that are clear and descriptive. Appropriate language demonstrates a persuasive tone in parts of the letter. / Chooses some words that are clear and descriptive. Lacks consistent persuasivetone and/or respectful tone. / Language and tone of letter is unclear or inappropriate and lacks description.
Mechanics and
Grammar / Contains few, if any punctuation, spelling or grammatical errors. / Contains several errors in punctuation, spelling or grammar that do not interfere with meaning. / Contains many punctuation, spelling and/or grammatical errors that interfere with meaning / Contains many glaring errors.
Letter Format / Complies with all the requirements for a letter (salutation, closing, signature). / Complies with almost all the requirements for a letter. / Complies with several of the requirements for a letter. / Complies with fewer than 50% of the requirements.