Based on the Holocaust literature and poetry we have read, what connections can be made between Life Is Beautiful and our reading? What events, scenes, or situations are similar or different? What is similar or different about the mood or tone of the pieces?
The film, Life Is Beautiful, has so far had a unique tone compared to the multitudes of other creative media about the Holocaust I've seen. Of course, many have tearjerking and edge-of-your-set scenes, but Life is Beautiful's delivery is vastly different. A majority of these pieces have had an over-arching somber tone, while Guido's humor and quick-thinking merely alludes to the horrors taking place. Another difference between this film and other pieces is that it focuses on Italian Jews, while many of the others have focused on the Eastern-European Jews. As for similarities, there were just as many.
The line "Maybe this is just a dream" has been recurring. Also, interpersonal relationships have always been tested in pieces on the Holocaust. A major similarity between Night and Life is Beautiful is the prominent father and son relationship.
How is life shown as beautiful throughout the film? Pull out at least two examples from different parts of the film and explain your rationale.
Although the living conditions may not be beautiful towards the middle and end of the film, it is Guido's outlook and imagination that make life beautiful and... rich. His boldness and resistance to silence, like we see in the loudspeaker scene, helps him stay true to his character and protect his son in times where life was less than magnificent.
Even when everything seemingly came crashing down at the camp, right before it was liberated, Guido still maintained his playful countenance and looked after his son, which was his final wish. Giosue can live in peace with his mother, and life will remain beautiful for the two of them because they will remember Guido as he truly was.
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