Worksheet 3: "Boyz n the Hood" (John Singleton, USA 1991): Introduction to the film

"Boyz n the Hood" (John Singleton, USA 1991): Introduction to the film

a) Zum externen Inhalt: The Second Amendment (öffnet im neuen Tab) to the US constitution from 1791 guarantees citizens the right to possess and bear arms. Discuss whether this right increases personal safety or poses a threat to public security.

Work with the cinematic exposition

b) Watch the Zum Inhalt: opening sequence of "Boyz n the Hood". Summarize it in your own words. Pay attention to the role played by weapons in this sequence. Then discuss the possible reasons for Tre’s conflicts at school.

Timecode: 00:00:00–00:06:54

c) The slang term Hood in the title is an abbreviation of neighborhood. Analyze how Furious’s neighborhood is portrayed in the following Zum Inhalt: sequence. Examine also the use of cinematic techniques such as Zum Inhalt: mise-en-scène, Zum Inhalt: picture composition, Zum Inhalt: color design, and Zum Inhalt: soundtrack.
Remember to focus on the role of weapons.

Timecode: 00:06:54–00:24:55

Male role models

d) Discuss Furious’s parenting style. Do you consider it appropriate? Discuss to what extent Furious is a role model for Tre.

e) Watch the following sequence, which includes a conversation between Tre and his father. Discuss whether and how this scene changes your view of Furious as a role model.

Timecode: 00:24:55–00:28:58

Future prospects

f) The narrative skips ahead by seven years. Speculate on how Tre, Ricky and Doughboy got on after graduating from high school at the age of 18 and what their future prospects might be.

g) Compare your predictions with the following sequence. Explain afterwards whether, how, or to what extent the neighborhood has changed (see exercise c).

Timecode: 00:29:00–00:37:54

The central conflict

h) Which conflict becomes central to the plot? Discuss Tre’s possible role in it. Watch the film until TC 01:42:23 and discuss the motivations behind Tre’s and Doughboy’s decisions.

i) The morning after the fatal shooting, Doughboy and Tre meet outside their houses. Imagine the conversation. Write a dialogue of 150 to 250 words.

j) Present the dialogues and compare them with the final sequence. Pause the film at TC 01:48:00.

Timecode: 01:42:23–01:48:00

k) In the closing credits the title of the film is accompanied by a call to “Increase the Peace”. Discuss how this goal might be reached. In your discussion, refer to the Second Amendment, the results of your film analysis, and any relevant prior knowledge.