Principles of Social Theory-Shiloh Kent: Short Review: Education--Freedom Writers (film analysis)

In class we have discussed ideas that were created by Paulo Freire, a Brazilian educator and theorist of critical pedagogy. He has coined the concept of the banking method in educational institutes. The banking model is the idea that students are like an empty bank account or a piggy bank, and it is the responsibility of teachers and schools give them the information and knowledge they need to further succeed, but one thing that Freire says about this theory is that is diminishes opportunities of creation. One film that I had previously viewed that is related to this banking model is Freedom writers.

Freedom writers was directed and written by Richard LaGravenese. In this film, a young, new, and beautiful teacher scores her first English teaching job, but it isn’t the kind of teaching job than any teacher would want to have. It is in a very rough area of town and she has a class filled with troubled students. Many of the students had no chance for improvement or graduation because they couldn’t even read a book. The students in the class vary in race and ethnicities that create many problems between certain students. The teacher, Erin Gruwell, played by Hilary Swank has become frustrated with the students because they disrespect her, and do not listen to her directions.

Hilary Swank played Erin Gruwell in the film Freedom Writers

The real Erin Gruwell

Later throughout the school year she sticks with the class and fights it out, with a goal to push these students further and provide them with the knowledge that they need. She came up with class activities that help them learn about themselves and about their peer students. One thing that stressed was that each student was to keep a journal and write in it every day and then leave it for the professor to read, it wasn’t being marked but it was just a way for the students to express their feelings and help them feel more comfortable with themselves and in class.

The first activity that the Teacher had conducted that was different from regular teachings and it made the teachers be active and it was the first step to a inspirational ending.

Eventually the students became more acceptant of their selves, accepted other classmates for who they are and stopped being discriminative towards other fellow students. Most importantly, the students progressed and were able to read, understand history, and wanted to learn. They all came to class daily, stayed out of trouble, and became a better person all because of the teacher.

This is a clip from the film where the students have become to grow to like the teacher and don’t want to leave her class.

The teacher provided the students with valuable information, and helped the students graduate to take the next step in their life. Even though the students in her class were the worst behaved and most troubled students in the school, the teacher was able to build an attachment with her students, and because she showed interest in wanting to truly help these kids, she made an effort and became one of the first teachers to have the most graduating students in her class. The idea of the banking method is expressed in this film because the teacher is responsible to provide the students with valuable information despite any factors that may have an effect such as race, class status, and sexuality. One interesting fact to keep in mind is that this film was based on a true story!