AVATAR MOVIE ASSIGNMENT

Assignment

Animism
In looking back over the past 150,000 years of human existence on this planet,
some believe that animism was probably the first religion. Animism begins with
the idea that everything is alive, and therefore everything has a "soul" or "spirit."

Since human beings, like all living things, have a "soul" or "spirit," this means that
they can communicate with all forms of the “living”. This would include in-
animate objects such as rocks, trees, etc. This two-way form of communication
meant that humans could talk to trees, animals, rocks, and so on, and all of these
other living things could talk to humans.

In Avatar, communication with their environment is made by a direct link as

illustrated by the Na’vi using their braids. Other indigenous people here on Earth
also believe in this form of communication but for them this communication is
done through other means (i.e. dreams, spiritual ceremonies).

Environment, Sustainability
Economic Sustainability

It means that development is economically efficient and that the benefits of such
development are distributed between generations of people. Growth now will not
place people living in the future in danger.

Social Sustainability

It requires that development does not cause social conflict. In practice this means
that development should increase people’s control over their own lives—that all
social groups should have the opportunity to participate in decision making.

Cultural Sustainability

It requires that any development should take into account the values and beliefs
affected by it. In addition, the range of cultural groups should be maintained and
encouraged and the value of their heritage, traditions, and points of view
recognized.

Ecological Sustainability

It means that development should take into account the maintenance of

ecological processes, biological diversity, and environmental resources. To
achieve this, our society needs to recognize that the survival and well-being of
other species are also important.
 AVATAR MOVIE ASSIGNMENT

Nature and Us:

1. Both Aboriginal people and the Na’vi believe in the connection with their
environment. Why is that connection so important? (Give at least four examples
and explain why.)

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2. Give an example of how the Na’vi connected to each of the following: (Be
sure to include an explanation as to why the connection was significant.)

a) animals
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b) eywa

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3. Do you believe that the majority of humans have lost that sense of
communication with nature? Explain.

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 AVATAR MOVIE ASSIGNMENT

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Symbolism in the movie Avatar:

4. Explain what each of the following symbols represented in the movie and how
it can be related to real life here on Earth using examples (3 marks each):

Ewya
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Unobtainium
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Tree of Souls
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Na’vi Braids
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RDA Corporation
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Colonel Quaritch
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Avatar Program (scientists)

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Pandora
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5. When it was decided that Jake would be taken in by the Na’vi and
trained, Moat, the spiritual leader says, “Learn well, "Jakesully", and we will
see if your insanity can be cured”. What is she referring to? What is the
“insanity” she is speaking about and how can it be “cured”? (Remember,
Jake was sent in to learn how to communicate with the Na’vi in order to
convince them to leave their home. What was Moat really hoping would
happen instead?)

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6. The planet, Pandora, is a Garden of Eden of sorts where aggression is

unnecessary. What does this reveal about the way many “humans” view the
created world and the resources of the planet? What must humans “unlearn” to
live in harmony with nature?
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 AVATAR MOVIE ASSIGNMENT

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7. Which theme do you think Avatar made the most impactful commentary
on – colonialism, corporate greed, environmental exploitation, or race relations?
Why?

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