Barbie - Leaving Certificate Comparative Study - Higher Level

What’s Included in the Resource:

Overview: The resource begins with an overview of Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig. It provides a plot summary, discusses the themes and messages of the film, looks at the cast, how the movie was received, and its target audience.

Detailed Plot Synopsis: A detailed synopsis of the film is included, which is perfect for students to review or as a recap for those who may not have watched it carefully.

Comprehension Questions: There are 20 questions that can be assigned to students while watching the film to check for learning and ensure they are engaged. I’ve also included a teacher answer key in a separate document to make correcting easier.

Group Discussion Questions: There are 12 critical thinking questions designed to promote higher-level thinking. Students can work in small groups and choose one question to answer, and this could take the form of a group project, class presentation, or discussion. Each question comes with a prompt to help guide the students.

Key Quotes: I’ve included a page of 15 key quotes from the film, which are useful for students to reflect on important moments and themes in the text.

Gloria’s Monologue: A full page of Gloria’s famous monologue, which is a pivotal moment in the film. This gives students a chance to highlight or annotate its significance.

Director’s Use of Satire and Gender Dynamics: A note on Greta Gerwig’s use of satire and how gender dynamics are portrayed in Barbie.

Cultural Context Section:
Setting: This discusses how the time and place in both Barbie Land and the Real World influence gender roles.
Social Class: A comparison between Barbie Land and the Real World, highlighting how class shapes the characters’ lives.
Role of Men and Women: I’ve explored how the roles of men and women differ between these worlds, looking at how patriarchy is critiqued and how modern womanhood is depicted.

General Vision and Viewpoint Section:
Optimism and Pessimism: This section analyses the overall outlook of the film, focusing on themes like light and dark, hope and despair.
Key Moments: I’ve explored the relationships, character development, and key scenes that contribute to the general vision and viewpoint of the film.
Sample Answers: I’ve included four sample answers for 30-mark Leaving Certificate questions, followed by three questions for students to complete themselves.

Additional Features:
Student Note Pages: There are colourful, interactive pages where students can write their own notes on Barbie’s cultural context and general vision and viewpoint.
Comparison Table: A simple table for students to compare all three of their texts under both modes of general vision and viewpoint and cultural context.