Discussion: How conflicts help shape identity

Question 3 in you exam set requires you to discuss how conflicts help shape identity, taking your starting point in the short film “Up and Down” by Jason Karman and using at least two phrases from the following list: for some reason, partly, instead, although, in comparison, in other words, yet.

Phrases explained

First, we will explain the above phrases and give you some examples of usage and then we will provide you with some ideas for a discussion of the topic in relation to the film.

“For some reason” is an expression used to show motivation and cause which is not exactly known: “For some reason, Joel is attracted by both Emily and Kristie”.

“Partly” means to some extent, indicating thus an incomplete state, cause, effect, etc.: “Joel is partly attracted to Kristie and partly to Emily.”

...

How conflicts help shape identity

When discussing the idea that conflicts can shape identity, you should first look at the way the short film “Up and Down” depicts it. In the film, Emily, who is the main character, enters in a conflict with her sister and the boy she likes, Joel, because she discovers the two kissing.

Given that Emily is portrayed in the movie as an insecure, boyish teenage girl, the conflicts she enters help her better understand who she is. The end of the movie which shows her casually dressed indicates that the conflict with Kristie has helped her understand that, in comparison to her sister, Emily is different and she should not try to imitate Kristie to get the boy she likes. Note that before discovering Kristie and Joel kissing, Emily had tried to dress more like her sister, with a girly top.

...