 A Colliery (Br.

E) – coal mine and buildings associated with it

 A pit – coal mine, large hole in the ground
 NUM – National Union of Mineworkers
 Strike breaker – someone who works during a strike
 Scabs – nickname for strike breakers
 Strike – organised (often by a union, but not allowed by the employers) stopping of work by employees
 Flying pickets – strikers who moved around the country to protest at different striking mines
 Picket line – boundary at a place of work made by strikers, to stop strike breakers from entering
 Picketers – people who stand or march in front of a business, a government building, etc., as a form of protest
 Made redundant (Br.E) – dismissed from a job because you are no longer needed
"Billy Elliot" is a film that revolves around a young boy named Billy, who discovers his passion for ballet against the
backdrop of the 1984 UK miners' strike. The main characters include:

 Billy Elliot – Billy Elliot is an extraordinary 11-year-old kid with a love for ballet. The movie revolves around his
journey, showing how he overcomes challenges in a mining town in Northern England where ballet isn't the norm.
Despite societal expectations, Billy's passion for dance becomes a powerful force, leading to significant personal and
community changes. His resilience and talent make his story truly inspiring.
 Tony Elliot - (Billy's brother): A striking miner who initially disapproves of Billy's interest in ballet but later comes to
accept and support him.
 Jackie Elliot - (Billy's father): A widowed coal miner struggling with the effects of the miners' strike. Initially opposed
to Billy's interest in ballet, he eventually supports his son's passion.
 Mrs Wilkinson - Mrs. Wilkinson: Billy's ballet teacher, who recognizes his talent and encourages him to audition for
the Royal Ballet School. She plays a crucial role in Billy's journey.
 Michael - Billy's close friend, who faces his own challenges. He is supportive of Billy's pursuit of ballet and plays a
significant role in the film.
 In short, "Billy Elliot" is great because of Billy's passion, family connections, social messages, and how Billy changes.
But the tough scenes with his dad were not my favorite.
 The 1984-85 miners' strike was a big deal - tension and problems in the town. Billy's dad and other miners were on
strike, fighting for better conditions and pay. This made life hard for families, including Billy's, and added a lot of
stress to the story.
 I see differences between the working-class miners and the ballet world. Ballet is seen as something fancy and not
for people like Billy's family. The rich ballet kids make fun of Billy because he's from a different background.
 Billy has a conflict inside himself because he loves ballet, but it's not what people in his town expect from boys.
Jackie, his dad, struggles with accepting Billy's passion because it goes against traditional ideas. Michael, Billy's
friend, faces a conflict about his own identity and being accepted. The characters deal with these conflicts by finding
courage to be true to themselves, even when it's hard.
 One external conflict is between the striking miners and the police. This creates a tense atmosphere in the town.
Another conflict is between Billy and his family, especially his dad, who wants him to focus on boxing instead of
ballet. These conflicts are mostly resolved. The miners' strike doesn't end perfectly, but Billy's dad eventually
supports his ballet dream, showing changes in the family. So, while not everything is perfect, there's some resolution
in the end. Another conflict happens with between Tommy and Jacky.
 Both Billy and his father, Jackie, show growth in the movie. At the beginning, Jackie is against Billy's love for ballet,
but as the story goes on, he learns to understand and support his son. Billy, too, grows by gaining confidence and
pursuing his passion despite challenges. It's hard to say who develops more, but their growth together is touching.
 Yes, Tony seems like a static character. Throughout the film, he doesn't change much. He's against the strike at first,
and even when things get tough, he doesn't seem to evolve or learn from the experiences. Unlike other characters,
Tony stays pretty much the same from start to finish.
 Tony is not a static character in the film. While he starts off as a strong supporter of the miners' strike, his
experiences throughout the movie, especially witnessing the struggles and sacrifices of the striking miners, lead to a
change in his perspective. By the end of the film, Tony shows signs of growth and a shift in his beliefs. This dynamic
change in his character sets him apart from static characters who remain unchanged throughout the story.
 The family members cope with the recent loss of their mother and wife in different ways. Jackie, the father, struggles
with the responsibility of being both mom and dad to his children. Tony, the older brother, might become more
protective, taking on a parental role. Billy may find an escape in his passion for ballet, using it to cope with the pain.
Each family member processes grief uniquely, reflecting the complexity of mourning. ‘
 The financial difficulties, combined with the absence of his wife during a traditionally joyous time, likely contributed
to his emotional breakdown. The strain of the strike and the absence of the usual Christmas comforts may have been
too much for him to bear.