At the beginning of the film, an old typewriter "patters" makes a sound. That was Elizabeth Warren (Christine Dunst) of Wesleyan College writing an article. The voice-over is the content of an article she wrote in Elizabeth’s voice. "She (Catherine Watson) has always dreamed of teaching at Wesley. So when there was a vacancy in the Art History Department, she applied for a teaching position until she was appointed. It is rumored that Katherine Watson, a rookie teacher from Oakland, used her brain to make up for her lack of background. This is why the cynical teacher who grew up in California came to the most conservative campus in the country. But Katherine Watson didn't want to come to Wesley to be involved, she came to Wesley because she wanted to change." At the beginning of this paragraph, Catherine Watson was brought into our field of vision.
In the fall of 1953, the prestigious school in Massachusetts, the Wesleyan School for Women, was holding its opening ceremony. The teachers stood upright in the auditorium, the door of the auditorium closed tightly. The female students were all waiting outside the gate. The student's representative, Joan Bran, knocked on the door four times with a mallet. The principal asked loudly: "Who is knocking on the door of learning?" Joan replied loudly: "I represent all women." The principal asked: "What are you looking for?" Joan replied, "Arouse my mind through studying hard, and Dedicate your life to knowledge." The principal said: "Then we welcome you. All women who want to follow you can come in. I announce that this semester will begin." With the principal's voice, the door opened and the students entered the auditorium.
At the beginning of the movie, the meaning of my school was presented to me—a temple of diligent knowledge and a sound mind. I remember that there was a sentence in an article I read: "God gives us finite material, but gives us infinite spirit." It is the spirit that leads people to the height of looking around the world. Education should allow students to acquire the most advanced ideas and look around the world through continuous search for knowledge. Because only advanced ideas can promote and promote advanced actions. The political foundation of the founding of the United States, the separation of powers and the federal system, all came from Montesquieu's "Spirit of the Law." In addition, the primary purpose of education should be to train qualified national citizens for the country and qualified world citizens for the world. People with unsound minds and low quality, even if they have knowledge, only harm the country and the world. The people of the United Nations peacekeeping force are worthy of our respect, precisely because they are a group of people who work for the better future of the world.
However, the purpose of building schools and running education does not stop there. As the story unfolds, the topic of how teachers teach students is presented to us.
In Wesley in 1953, a Catherine Watson came. As a professor of art history, she hopes to change Wesleyan College. But in the first class, she was given off guard by the clever girls at Wesleyan College. These girls had already read all the textbooks on art history thoroughly before school started. Every time Catherine introduced a work on the textbook, she was interrupted by a girl who directly said the name of the work. Finally, a girl said contemptuously: "The state university level is much worse." In the
face of this shock, her colleague comforted her: "They have a pair of sharp claws hidden under their white gloves. You have to be careful, too independent personality will be frightened. Theirs. I’ll give you a piece of advice, don’t let those kids know that they’ve knocked you down.” Catherine replied with a smile, “They didn’t.”
Catherine decided to go slant and regroup. She first read the files of each student in detail to understand the situation of each girl. In the second class, she did not follow the outline and textbooks, and showed the students works that were not in their art textbooks. On the first slide, an oil painting of animal carcasses, the students were taken aback for a moment, and then began to look through the textbooks to find this picture. There was a sound of flipping books in the entire classroom. Elizabeth Warren asked: "What's that?" Catherine, who saw everyone flipping the book, said, "You tell me." After a short pause, she replied: "The Corpse," a work by Su Ting, painted in 1925. Susan said, "It's not in the textbook." Catherine said, "Yes. Does this painting look good? Please, ladies, there is no wrong answer, and there is no textbook to tell you what to think. It's not that easy, right. Right?" Elizabeth said, "Okay. It doesn't look good. Actually, I don't even want to call it art. It's too weird." Connie retorted: "Is there a rule that art can't be weird?" Giselle said: "I think it's avant-garde and sensational." Elizabeth retorted: "For you, everything is sensational." Giselle repeated casually: "Everything is sensational." The girls laughed. Catherine dragged her voice to stop: "Girls." Susan asked, "Is there no standard?" Elizabeth rushed to answer: "Of course there is. Otherwise, the tacky velvet paintings can be compared with Rembrandt's masterpieces. Art is there. Standard, technique, composition, tone, and even theme. (turning to Catherine) So if you say that carrion is art, let alone good art, what else do we learn?" Catherine took over the topic: "That's it. You point it out. For our new theme, Betty (Elizabeth), thank you. What is art? What is good or bad? Who decides? Next." The second slide, a picture of a cow drawn by a child. Catherine said: "25 years ago, some people thought it was great." Connie said, "I can tell." Elizabeth asked, "Who is this person?" Catherine said, "My mother. I painted this and used it to Congratulations on her birthday. (Students all laugh) Next one." Third slide, a picture of a woman. Catherine said, "This is my mother. Is this art?" Susan replied, "This is just a photo." Catherine said, "If I said this was taken by Ansel Adams, would it be different? Elizabeth said: "Someone must say that it is, it is art." Catherine said loudly: "It is art!" The girls all laughed. Elizabeth said: "It must be the right person." Catherine asked, "Who is it?" Giselle replied: Betty Warren, how honored we are to have one of us. " The whole audience laughed. Elizabeth replied: "Fuck you." Catherine said again: "Please go back to the picture of Su Ting. Look again, don't be stuck with the image itself, let us open our hearts to accept new ideas. (Pause) Okay, let us Back to Chapter 3. Has anyone read it?" All the students raised their hands. Seeing this, you know that Catherine made a perfect return.
Another scene. When Joan Bran wrote a review article about Bruegel, he plagiarized the comment of expert Sters. Teacher Watson only gave this girl a C in all grades. When Bran went to find her, she said: "If I want to know Sters’ point of view, I will buy a book." Then, she gave Bran a collection of Bruegel’s works and asked her to study it carefully. Rewriting the homework gave Joan Bran a chance to make corrections.
Catherine led the students to see a work by Jackson Pollock. When the students whispered, Catherine said: "Do me a favor, and do yourself a favor. Don't talk, look with your eyes. You don't need to write any homework, you don't even need to like it (Jackson Pollack's work) , What you should do is think. This is today’s homework. After reading it, you can
leave .” These plots made me think that education should give students enough diversified development space, and teachers themselves should have their own unique styles and styles. Connotation, so that students have the ability to think freely and independently. Before judging a thing, first understand it fully. People are human because they have their own thoughts. Abandoning rigid standards, every student should have his own ideas and be able to find reasons to support his ideas, so that he is not afraid of being different from others, and he is proud of a unique self. As the line of the film says, "There is no wrong answer, and there is no textbook to tell you what to think." It is also like the "compatibility and inclusiveness" proposed by Mr. Cai Yuanpei. When students are exposed to enough information and materials from all aspects, guided by the teacher, and fully compared and analyzed by themselves, it is no longer so difficult to establish an independent and distinct personal point of view.
The video continues to unfold. In the United States in the 1950s, the conservative forces were still strong and stubborn. Many women, even those who have received higher education, end up as housewives. For girls, wedding rings are more important than graduation certificates. No matter how clever the mind, no matter how insightful and capable women are, they end up in the family and give up their ambitions and talents. Divorce is a disgraceful thing, even a big rebellion. The nurse of the school health center who distributed contraceptives to the students was expelled from Wesley. In a Wesley competition that started in 1880, it is rumored that the winner can get married first, so the girls are not tired of it. There is a special housekeeping course in the school to teach girls how to become a qualified wife. The teacher of the home economics class said: "In a few years, your most important duty is to teach husbands and children. You may get an A in this course. But the most important score is that he (the future husband of the girls) gives you Yes, not me."
Catherine thinks that Wesley has too many labels here, the right family, the school, the right art, the right thinking mode. She believes that female students should bravely pursue their dreams and live their lives.
In the appreciation class of Van Gogh's works, Catherine showed everyone Van Gogh's masterpiece "Sunflower". She commented: “He (Van Gogh) draws feelings, not what the eyes see. People can’t understand. To them, it’s naive and rough. (She turns to another masterpiece of Van Gogh, "Starry Sky"). There are many people. It was only a year later that he understood his technique and saw his painting style and brushstrokes, which made the whole starry night come alive. However, he did not sell any paintings in his life. (Turn to Van Gogh's self-portrait) This is his self-portrait. No cover, no Beautification, only sincerity. Today, 60 years later, how is he?" Giselle replied: "Famous?" Catherine said: "Very famous, in fact everyone has a copy of his painting. There are postcards. "Connie answered: "It's also on the calendar." Catherine said: "Because of the improved ability to copy art, the general public can also have it. There is no need to have an authentic Van Gogh painting." Susan replied: "I have it in my house. In Newport’s house. But it’s not big, it’s very small.” Catherine said: “Everyone can paint a picture of Van Gogh’s Sunflower. Language)' Van Gogh in the box, A new form of art that circulates in large quantities: draw in steps'. "Kang then read the slogan on the box: "Now everyone can try Van Gogh. It's easy. Just follow the simple instructions and it won't take long for you to be an artist." Giselle took the box and looked at it, and said, "Follow the steps to become Van Gogh?" "Catherine said: "It's ironic, isn't it?" See how we treat a person who refuses kitsch, does not cater to popular preferences, and refuses to compromise. We put him in a box and let people copy him. So, the choice is yours, ladies, you can cater to other people's expectations, or you can—" Elizabeth, who came back from her honeymoon, appeared and took the conversation: "I know, be ourselves. "Catherine said to Elizabeth: "You lost 6 classes, 1 homework, and midterm exams after you got married." Elizabeth said: "I am on my honeymoon and I have to decorate my new home. (Turning to classmates), what else does she (Catherine) expect? "Catherine said: "I count on you to come to class." "Connie rounded it off: "Married students are absent for one or two classes, and most teachers will not hold them accountable." "Catherine said to Elizabeth: "Then why don't you get married as soon as you go to school?" This way you can graduate almost without coming to school. "Elizabeth said: "Don't ignore our tradition just because you are a disruptor." "Catherine said: "Don't disrespect this course just because you are married." Elizabeth said: "Don't disrespect me just because you are not married." "Catherine said: "Go to class on time and do your homework, or I will fail you." Elizabeth said: "If you dare to fail me, be careful of the consequences." "Catherine said: "Are you threatening me?" Elizabeth said: "I'm educating you. "Catherine said: "That's my job. "
At that time, except for the stubborn and conservative lady Elizabeth Warren, the students accepted and got close to Catherine. They also let Catherine participate in their secret society "Adam Rib Association" as the only teacher guest.
When Catherine learned that Joan Bran wanted to apply to Yale University's law school, she sent the Yale University admission application form and exam papers to Joan during the exam.
The film plays to the "school newspaper incident". Elizabeth Warren published an article attacking Teacher Watson in the school newspaper. In the article, she wrote: “Wesley’s married classmates are able to balance their responsibilities. Someone has heard such a sentence, “I can roast chicken with one hand and write the outline of the thesis.” When our mother joined the Women’s Liberation Group At that time, we have a duty, no, we have an obligation to take up our role in the family again, have children and raise them to continue to maintain our traditions. We should stop and think, why the teacher of art history Katherine Watson will Decided to declare war on the sacred marriage. Her subversive and political teaching encouraged us Wesley girls to reject their vocation." All students have read this article. After seeing the article, Watson came to class with a serious look. The students all looked at Catherine with a worried and solemn expression. Catherine showed the students the slides of several advertising pictures. When the slides were displayed, she commanded: "Quiet. Today you just have to listen." The slogan on the first picture is: "You can be a competent person." Housewife? Use your wife cleaner." Catherine exclaimed, "What will future scholars see when they study us? Portraits of women today? Yes, ladies, they fit the image of Wesley’s alumni. The top students are completely photographed. Follow her training to do it.” When changing to another advertisement, she said: “The student who received the Roche scholarship, wondered if she would still recite Chaucer’s verses while ironing her husband?” Third In this advertisement, a housewife is serving her husband and children cooked dishes. Watson said: "Now your knowledge of physics allows you to calculate the mass and volume of the meat bread you make!?" Finally, she shouted at the waistband advertisement: "'Let you girdle freely'! This is What do you mean?!" Then she turned to face the students and said: "I give up, you have won, the smartest woman in this country. I didn't realize before that I wanted you to be outstanding, but it was a challenge.-School newspaper What does the above say?--'Your vocation.' Is it? I was wrong." All the students were speechless, including Elizabeth.
After class, she said to the principal: “Half of them (students) are already married, and the other half will get married within a month or two. It’s just a matter of time. This is what they are doing here, and they are proposing marriage. It’s a waste of time.” The principal said: “100 years ago, a woman finished college, it’s an unimaginable thing. Maybe you should look back and see how much we have made.” Catherine said, “I’m sorry, in my opinion, This is another kind of restraint." She said to her colleague: "Pretend the bridal school is a normal university, they lied to me." The colleague asked: "What else do you expect?" Catherine replied: "More things. I thought it was. It is a place to train future leaders, not to train the wives of those leaders."
Elizabeth's husband kept neglecting her, and later cheated on her. She fell into pain. At this time, it was the one who comforted her who had been antagonizing her before." Trendy "Giselle." When Elizabeth went to her natal home to seek comfort and asylum because of her husband's neglect, her mother refused to let her stay, but ordered her to go home and wait for her husband. The mother was cruel and ruthless, and preferred her reputation to her daughter's happiness, which chilled Elizabeth. Elizabeth had already recognized the truth before, but she refused to admit it to herself, and because of her years of education, she did not allow her to do anything else. She used to believe that traditional values were correct and tried her best to maintain it. The "school newspaper incident" gave her a huge shock. After that, she gradually changed. Catherine's maverick and her personality charm revealed when she communicated with students. A subtle influence on her, she gradually recognized and liked Catherine. Elizabeth decides to end her marriage, but she is opposed by her mother. Elizabeth asked her mother to read the picture of "Mona Lisa" in the book and said: "Mom looks at this, she is smiling, is she happy?" Mother said, "The important thing is not to let others discover (unhappy marriage)." Elizabeth said: "She looks happy, so what does it matter?" Mother said: "Don't show your ugliness." Elizabeth said, "I tell you. The truth is often different from the appearance."
Later, Teacher Watson was loved by all the students. The number of people taking her courses set the highest record in the art department. Here is a scene in which the students discussed their views on "Mona Lisa" enthusiastically in class, and expressed their opinions freely. Catherine listened to everyone's opinions with joy and relief. The dazzling sunlight penetrates the glass and illuminates the entire classroom. The film here uses a good symbolic meaning. The brilliant sun represents the light of knowledge and independent personality, shining on this group of new women who are seeking knowledge.
Each of the students imitated Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" and drew a sunflower with his own style to Catherine as a souvenir. Connie said: "This is Joan's idea." Joan said: "Otherwise how do you remember us?" Looking at the students, Catherine was very moved.
At the graduation ceremony, Elizabeth asked Catherine to help her contact Catherine's friends in Greenwich. Elizabeth's mother pulled her aside and asked what she was going to do in Greenwich. Elizabeth replied: "Find an apartment. I filed for a divorce this morning. Since you don't welcome me to live in your house. Do you remember Gisele Levy? What did you say about her?'New York Jew' , Yes. We are about to be roommates." At this time Giselle walked over to the mother and daughter and said, "Hi, (turns to Elizabeth) Are you ready?" Elizabeth replied, "Okay." Giselle He took her away from her mother and walked to Catherine. Giselle greeted Catherine first, and then asked Elizabeth, "How are you?" Elizabeth nodded. Giselle went elsewhere first. Catherine asked: "Greenwich Town?" Elizabeth said: "Live for a while. Who knows afterwards? Maybe go to law school, or even Yale." Catherine smiled and said, "Well, I don't want to face you in any court. Elizabeth said: "Can I see you next year? Keep you alert. Will you be here? Teacher Watson?" The relationship between the two teachers and students who have been facing each other since the beginning of the film has completely changed, Catherine No longer a mere teacher, but Elizabeth's friend and role model. Elizabeth is determined to get rid of an unfortunate marriage, dominate her own destiny and open up the future.
The conservative school gave Catherine a series of conditions for continuing the class, such as the lecture content is limited to the outline, the teaching plan is sent for approval, and the students are not given extracurricular consultations. But Catherine refused to compromise. She chose to leave school and go to Europe. Before leaving, she wrote a letter to every student. In a letter to Elizabeth, she wrote: "I came to Wesley because I wanted to make a change. But to change for others, and to be dishonest to myself." The camera turns to Elizabeth Warren as she is typing on the typewriter. , Write a social review, echoing the typing scene at the beginning of the film. She wrote: "My teacher, Catherine Watson, sticks to his beliefs and does not easily compromise with others, even Wesley. I would like to dedicate this final editorial to an extraordinary woman. She is ours. By example, let us see the world with a new perspective." The camera switched, Mr. Watson left Wesleyan in the car, and the voiceover continued to be Elizabeth’s voice reading her editorial. "When you read this article, she has already Go to Europe. There she will overcome new challenges and get new ideas. She once said that people who give up easily are wanderers aimlessly. But not all wanderers are wandering aimlessly." Parallel to the voiceover, the female students rode their bicycles and waved goodbye to Catherine from behind the car. In the front row were Elizabeth and Joan. Joan followed closely outside the left window of the car, smiling and waving, while Elizabeth followed desperately outside the right window with tears in her eyes. Catherine smiled and waved to the students. The voice-over continued, "Especially those who break through tradition and seek truth, are not rigid and restricted, and are not restrained. I will not forget you." In the film, the driver ordered the students to let the road open, and the students stopped and fell. Behind the car, only Elizabeth still cried and rode close to Catherine's car. Tears overflowed from Catherine's eyes. Although this scene is the end, it can be described as the climax of the whole film. The deep friendship between teachers and students does not need to be said. Every time I see this scene, I can't help crying with the characters in the film.
Catherine Watson came to Wesley, and with her maverick, she brought a new style to the conservative campus and showed the girls a whole new world and perspective. An important task for teachers when teaching students, or it can be said to be a task for students to receive education, is that students can understand what they need, think and choose independently, and firmly and bravely pursue their own life paths and dreams. Break through the limitations of tradition and secularity, and overcome your fear and cowardice. According to Teacher Watson, it means "you can be yourself". This is especially important for women. Because women have more obstacles in pursuing their ideals.
The teacher must let the students understand, and the students themselves must also realize that they should not let themselves follow the trajectory designed for them by the world, should not allow themselves to be attached to others, should not sacrifice all of themselves, but should live their own lives. Life. There is no difference between men and women at this point. Adhering to your beliefs will certainly encounter difficulties, but if you do not persist, the fateful dilemma will never be solved, and there will be no change in the bad status quo. You must have the determination and courage to take the first step, endure difficulties and unknowns, take control of your own destiny and be responsible for your own destiny.
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