ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW:
Synopsis Lee Daniels’ Precious: “Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire is a vibrant, honest and resoundingly hopeful film about the human capacity to grow and overcome. Set in Harlem in 1987, it is the story of Claireece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe), a sixteen-year-old African American girl born into a life no one would want. She’s pregnant for the second time by her absent father; at home, she must wait hand and foot on her mother (Mo’Nique), a poisonously angry woman who abuses her emotionally and physically. School is a place of chaos, and Precious has reached the ninth grade with good marks and an awful secret: she can neither read nor write. Precious may sometimes be down, but she is never out. Beneath her impassive expression is a watchful, curious young woman with an inchoate but unshakeable sense that other possibilities exist for her. Threatened with expulsion, Precious is offered the chance to transfer to an alternative school, Each One/Teach One. Precious doesn’t know the meaning of “alternative,” but her instincts tell her this is the chance she has been waiting for. In the literacy workshop taught by the patient yet firm Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), Precious begins a journey that will lead her from darkness, pain and powerlessness to light, love and self-determination”.
“From the Book to the Screen: In 1996, Push by the poet Sapphire was published as a hardcover by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. This groundbreaking novel was welcomed to critical acclaim. It is renowned in literary circles for its in-depth look at a life not typically celebrated in literature or media and for the unique writing style that defines Precious’ voice. Sapphire based the character of Precious on an adult student she taught in Harlem in the 1980s. The story she spun for Precious is a combination of different people’s life experiences. Geoffrey Fletcher, screenwriter for Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, took Sapphire’s novel and made the leap to the screen. While the screenplay is true to Sapphire’s novel, it also adds elements to bring the audience deeper into Precious’ life”.
ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
PART ONE: WATCH PRECIOUS
Learners will critically analyze Precious. Be sure to take notes and assign the social work role to the main character (or most relevant character) in the film.
PART TWO: MOVIE REVIEW DISCUSSION
Read the NASW Code of EthicsLinks to an external site.:
Review the Precious film:
Apply an outline of the Code of Ethics to the behavior/issues of the main character. Name all the NASW Code of Ethics standards that impacted the main character in the context of the following questions. Provide further explanation and discussion.
Throughout your answers to the discussion questions, identify and address all the ethical issues in the movie. Be specific about what codes have been violated, if any.
What were the ethical moments that stood out to you?
How did they make you feel?
How will they cause you to think about ethics in your role as a social worker?
Identify the main issue or ethical dilemma(s) and explain why these issues are problematic.
Identify what your ethical responsibility would be if you were a colleague of the social worker.
The main quote of the film states: “You feel you’ve witnessed nothing less than the birth of a soul.” What does this mean?
What ethical themes and issues do you believe Precious’ story intends to shed light upon? Why?
The male nurse character played by Lenny Kravitz in the film is something that was not in the book.
What element do you believe his character adds to the movie?
Though this story is set in Harlem in 1987, what about the film is true to today? What has changed?
Does it make a difference in the relevance of the NASW Code of Ethics?
PART 2B
We Are All Precious – As often as possible, relate the questions below to the NASW Code of Ethics. The movie Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire speaks to the fact that we are all precious. Whether it is one’s ability to overcome something horrible or finding something powerful in oneself he or she didn’t know existed or the realization that one’s self worth is far greater than he or she ever knew, everyone is precious.
On the character Precious, actress Gabby Sidibe says, “She’s sweet, but at the same time she’s learned to be defensive. When there’s trouble coming, she’s ready for it. She’s a warrior, I think.”
What type of person do you believe Precious is? Based on the circumstances in her life, what would you expect from Precious?
What about Precious’ character leads her to overcome her situation and not be complacent?
Is Precious a movie about what we all can overcome or is it merely an examination of one girl’s life and circumstances? Why?
The book and movie are virtually free of men. What message does this send you about the roles of men and women in Precious’ life?
PART 2C
Take Action – As often as possible, relate the questions below to the NASW Code of Ethics. Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire is a film that sheds light on many ethical issues, ranging from sexual abuse to the education system to HIV/AIDS, and everything in between. Without the help of some individuals who invested their time and care in Precious’ well-being, Precious may not have found her way out of the cycle of abuse in which she was living.
Did Precious’ story make you think about what your ethical role is to those around you, no matter how well you know them? Do you feel an ethical responsibility to assist others?
Precious’ situation is one that makes people confront the realities of sexual abuse. How can social workers get involved to make sure that Precious’ story is one that doesn’t continue to happen to other children around the world?
