Revised Essay 4 Options for English 1A: The Sunken Place

Revised Essay Prompt Options for the Sunken Place in Get Out

 

Dear 1A Students,

 

I’ve simplified the Essay #4 prompt by making 2 simplified essay options if you’re interested. 

 

You can choose one of the following 2 options. 

 

Simplified Essay Options

 

Option A

 

Address the claim that Sunken Place in Jordan Peele's movie Get Out is analogous to the dystopian despair rendered in Childish Gambino's video "This Is America."

 

Option B

 

Address the claim that the Sunken Place in Jordan Peele's movie Get Out is analogous to the states of despair expressed in Frederick Douglass' memoir The Narrative of Frederick Douglass, the Life of a Slave. 

 

You can’t use ChatGPT to “write” your essay, but you can use it to help process your ideas, help establish an essay structure, and help give you a clear vision of the essay as a whole. 

 

ChatGPT Outline of Option A

The Sunken Place in Jordan Peele's "Get Out" and Childish Gambino's "This Is America" music video both serve as powerful metaphors that explore issues of race, oppression, and the marginalization of African Americans in contemporary society. While they are distinct works in different mediums (film and music), they share thematic similarities that reflect the black experience in America.

The Sunken Place in "Get Out":

1. Metaphor for Marginalization:
   
   
• In "Get Out," the Sunken Place is a representation of the marginalization and oppression of African Americans. When the protagonist, Chris, is hypnotized by the Armitage family, he finds himself in the Sunken Place—a dark void where he is powerless, voiceless, and disconnected from reality.
• This metaphorically reflects the historical and ongoing struggles faced by black individuals who feel silenced, disempowered, and marginalized in a society marked by systemic racism.
2. Loss of Agency:
   
   
• The Sunken Place symbolizes the loss of agency and control. Despite being physically present, Chris is trapped in a mental state where he cannot influence or alter his circumstances.
• This mirrors the broader issue of African Americans facing limitations in their ability to effect change within societal structures, as systemic barriers often restrict their agency.

"This Is America" Music Video:

1. Visual Symbolism:
   
   
• Childish Gambino's "This Is America" uses vivid and symbolic imagery to convey its message. The chaotic and often surreal scenes in the video represent the tumultuous relationship between African Americans and American society.
• The sudden violence and juxtaposition of joyful dancing with disturbing events mirror the duality of the black experience—celebration amidst systemic issues and violence.
2. Dystopian Despair:
   
   
• The video captures a sense of dystopian despair, highlighting the harsh realities faced by black individuals. The chaotic scenes and rapid shifts in tone underscore the unpredictability and challenges of navigating a society marked by racial tension.
• The juxtaposition of upbeat music and grim visuals serves as a commentary on how entertainment and distraction can coexist with social issues, often masking the underlying problems.

Common Themes:

1. Loss of Identity:
   
   
• Both the Sunken Place and "This Is America" touch on the theme of loss of identity. In the Sunken Place, Chris loses control and agency, while in "This Is America," the constant shifts in tone and the chaotic environment suggest a struggle to maintain a coherent identity in the face of societal pressures.
2. Symbolism and Commentary:
   
   
• Both works rely heavily on symbolism to convey a deeper message about the African American experience. Whether it's the Sunken Place as a metaphorical representation or the symbolic imagery in "This Is America," they invite viewers to engage in critical reflection on systemic issues.

In summary, the Sunken Place and "This Is America" both provide poignant commentary on the challenges faced by African Americans in navigating a society marked by systemic racism. They use metaphor and symbolism to shed light on issues of marginalization, loss of agency, and the struggle for identity in the face of adversity.

 

 

Show how the Sunken Place in Jordan Peele's movie Get Out is analogous to the states of despair expressed in Frederick Douglass' memoir.

 

 

ChatGPT Outline of Option B

The Sunken Place in Jordan Peele's "Get Out" and the states of despair expressed in Frederick Douglass' memoir share common themes of oppression, dehumanization, and the struggle for agency. Although they belong to different mediums and historical contexts, these narratives offer insightful parallels in understanding the African American experience.

The Sunken Place in "Get Out":

1. Metaphor for Dehumanization:
   
   
• The Sunken Place in "Get Out" serves as a metaphor for the dehumanization of African Americans. When characters are trapped in the Sunken Place, they are reduced to a state of passive observation, stripped of their agency, and unable to communicate or influence their surroundings.
• This mirrors the dehumanizing experiences faced by African Americans throughout history, particularly during times of slavery and systemic racism, where they were often treated as property rather than as fully autonomous individuals.
2. Symbol of Systemic Oppression:
   
   
• The Sunken Place represents the systemic oppression ingrained in the narrative. The Armitage family's ability to control and manipulate individuals to occupy this place reflects the broader structures of power that limit the agency and autonomy of African Americans.
• This symbolism echoes historical and contemporary struggles against institutional racism and serves as a critique of the insidious ways in which systemic oppression operates.

Frederick Douglass' Memoir:

1. Narrative of Slavery's Dehumanization:
   
   
• In Frederick Douglass' memoir, he vividly describes the dehumanizing effects of slavery. His narrative recounts the physical and psychological brutality inflicted upon enslaved individuals, emphasizing the stripping away of their humanity and agency.
• Douglass' experiences parallel the Sunken Place, as he, too, describes a state of despair where individuals are reduced to objects and denied their fundamental humanity.
2. Struggle for Agency:
   
   
• Douglass' memoir chronicles his journey from enslavement to freedom, highlighting his relentless pursuit of agency and self-determination. His escape from bondage and quest for education exemplify the resilience and agency of African Americans in the face of systemic oppression.
• This resonates with the central theme of reclaiming agency seen in "Get Out," where characters resist the forces that seek to subjugate them and assert their autonomy.

Common Themes:

1. Dehumanization and Objectification:
   
   
• Both the Sunken Place and Douglass' memoir explore the dehumanization and objectification of African Americans. Whether through hypnotic control in "Get Out" or the harsh realities of slavery in Douglass' narrative, both convey a sense of being reduced to a state of despair and powerlessness.
2. Struggle Against Oppression:
   
   
• The narratives share a common thread of resistance against oppression. Whether through Chris' defiance in "Get Out" or Douglass' fight for freedom and education, both stories underscore the resilience and agency of African Americans in the face of systemic challenges.

In summary, the Sunken Place in "Get Out" and the states of despair expressed in Frederick Douglass' memoir both provide poignant reflections on the dehumanization, oppression, and the enduring struggle for agency within the African American experience. They serve as powerful narratives that invite audiences to reflect on historical and contemporary challenges faced by the community.