Student # 70673933 Exam # 50050600 · PDF fileManuel Ramos da Cruz Student #706793933 [email protected] 524 Unit D Greenfield Avenue Kitchener, Ontario N2C 1G2 Ontario Canada

Manuel Ramos da Cruz Student #706793933 [email protected] 524 Unit D Greenfield Avenue Kitchener, Ontario N2C 1G2 Ontario Canada

Exam # 50050600 1

Dear Manuel, Your thesis is off to a very good start but needs some improvement. List the types of differences you’ll discuss, condense and simply your existing ideas to get right to the argument you want to make, and push a little further to make an argument about the significance or effect of the book being “darker.” Then, revise your body paragraphs so each one explains how a single difference between the book and movie proves your thesis points. First, include a topic sentence that indicates the focus of the paragraph (i.e. the difference you’ll discuss). See the 12th marginal comment, below, for an example topic sentence template. Second, include evidence from the book and movie to prove the difference exists. Third, analyze to explain how the difference in question 1) makes the book darker than the movie and 2) leads to whatever effect or significance you’ll argue the “darker book” situation causes. Please see the marginal comments on the first half of your outline for more revision guidance. If you have questions on this feedback or how to revise, please contact the school. Instructor (VGG) Penn Foster

Essay: Comparison And Contrast

Student # 70673933

Exam # 50050600

Commented [VGG1]: Include a header only (above) and then a title just before the start of your essay. Do not include a full title page (as the info in this title page is already included in the header).

mailto:[email protected]


Exam # 50050600 2

Ramos da Cruz, Manuel

February 17th, 2016

IntroductionTitle Goes Here

Roderick Thorpe is a novelist specializing primarily in crime novels; he also in addition

givesto his busy life giving lectures in literature and creative writing.

Two of his more well-known novels received adaptations into movies. The 1966 novel,

“The Detective”, was made into a feature film in 1968. The movie of the same name featured

Frank Sinatra taking the role of the main character Joe Leland. This was later adapted to a sequel

in 1988 that was known as Die Hard, with Bruce Willis taking on the role of the main character.

Commented [VGG2]: Once you are at the essay stage, do not include sub-titles to indicate the different sections of your essay. (Instead, use verbal transitions to let readers know when you are moving between points and sections).

Commented [VGG3]: This is not an engaging or interesting start. Also, the introduction paragraph must be several sentences in length (typically 5-7), not a single sentence.

Commented [VGG4]: Italicize all movie and book titles.



Exam # 50050600 3

Nothing Lasts Forever is a thriller novel written by Roderick Thorp as a sequel to the

novel “The Detective”.

The book revolves around the main character Detective Joe Leland, who makes a visit to

the main headquarters of Klaxon Oil Corporation to visit his daughter. As he waits for her, a

faction of German terrorists aggressively takes control of the building. Their plan is to steal

documents that are to be used for the public exposure of Klaxon Oil Corporation, as it deals with

the Junta in Chile. Leland attempts to fight off the terrorists while saving the hostages, which

include his daughter and grandchildren.

On the other hand, the movie, Die Hard, makes a positive attempt at developing the main

character, played by Bruce Wills, into a more representative figure of a normal person as he

exhibits the character of being ignorant and unaware of the motives of the terrorists.

Thesis Statement

When comparing “Nothing Last Forever” with its movie adaptation “Die Hard”, we

observe a compelling narrative that revolves around the issues of using violence for the greater

good. This is because as noble as the desires of the terrorists seem to be to expose corruption

within the corporation, their approach reveals that destruction is not a means to an end. Thethe

differences in X, Y, and Z make the tone and themes of the novel “Nothing Lasts Forever” is

much darker, which leads to… and features underlying themes of remorse, and addiction as well

as the complexities of an unsettled human mind.

Commented [VGG5]: You have some good content here, and you’ve made GREAT progress with your diction. It is now much clearer and easy to understand overall. But this entire section must be combined and condensed into a single introduction paragraph. Use transitions to connect ideas, remove repetitive info, and shorten ideas and wording wherever possible. Also, the thesis statement should be the last sentence in the introduction paragraph, not a separate section / paragraph.

Commented [VGG6]: Again, remove labels on the essay. Use transitions to integrate all ideas and let readers know when you are moving into new sections and topics.

Commented [VGG7]: Good start on your thesis, but simplify your ideas and get right to the argument. You want to argue the tone and themes in the novel are much darker than in the movie. Good start. But push a little further. As a result of the book being so much darker, what is the effect on readers vs. movie viewers? Make sure you also list the types of changes you’ll discuss that cause the movie to be less dark (and thus cause whatever effect you’ll argue…)



Exam # 50050600 4

In the analysis, the viewer is presented with an interesting parallel amidst the arrival of

the main movie characters and the terrorists in the form of outsiders who are represented as

forces of disruption.

Roderick Thorp as the author of the book “Nothing Last Forever”, when compared to the

film “Die Hard” shows a difference in the arrangement of a formalist realistic scale that is

dependent on the measure to which it comprises elements of a formalist or realist, which are

adopted more in the film than the book. In the balance of such extremes lies “Die Hard” with its

formalistic tendencies and the appearance of realism from the beginning of the film.

The content or story’s main concerns is of the techniques or expressions with which the

plots are possibly being lost with no clarity in definition from the start, the middle or at the end

to the resolution of conflict emerging as the only way to resolve the situation.

Comparative and Contrasting Elements

The author Roderick Thorp presents several debates of policy that range from issues of

taxation to education as well as the health sector. His ultimate concern, however, is the way

violence is being used by the state and its citizens alike, as a means of attaining preservation,

liberty, and equality (Roderick 34).

He uses this in his book to act as a reminder to the reader of how American politics rests

on the definition of principles as well as debates revolving around such principles.

Commented [VGG8]: Confusing wording. I’m unsure what you mean here. Remember to focus each body paragraph on proving a single difference between the book and movie, analyzing how that difference makes the themes or tone in the book “darker,” and analyzing what overall affect this stronger sense of darkness in the book vs. movie has on readers vs. viewers.

Commented [VGG9]: This language is very convoluted and confusing. I cannot understand what difference you are trying to identify and prove here.

Commented [VGG10]: Again, this wording is too confusing; I cannot access or understand your message here.

Commented [VGG11]: Remove all sub-titles.

Commented [VGG12]: Okay—but how is this different than in the movie? The difference must be clear immediately. The topic sentence for each body paragraph should state the difference. For example: “First, while the book focuses on X themes and messages, the movie instead focuses on Y themes and messages.”



Exam # 50050600 5

“Nothing Last Forever” utilizes the complicated issue of constitutionalism and shows

how it is ever present as a balance between current circumstances and alternate realities in the

book.

The book is set in an environment where the United States Supreme Court grapples to

understand the limits of federalism as a system of governance and how it hinders the power of

the government.

In comparing the book “Nothing Lasts Forever” and the film “Die Hard”, unite in placing

emphasis on the commitment to the principles that never seem to fit together with ease on

aspects of liberty, equality and that state with progress, tradition, faith and skepticism.

“Nothing Lasts Forever” was originally written as a sequel to the literary work known as

"The Detective". The aim was to introduce it as a follow up to the film starring Frank Sinatra as

the main character Joe Leland. The film adheres closely in similarity to memorable scenes, and

characters of the book. Much of the dialogue is directly sourced from the novel as well.

Alterations to the story featured a stand-alone void of any link to "The Detective" novel

by Thorp. Some changes, for instance, include the older main character taking upon a youthful

persona and using the name John McClean that was originally Joe Leland.

Another noticeable observation in the film “Die Hard” is that some of the characters are

not limited to a German nationality but comprise of multiple ethnicities although they are

entirely all European. It should be noted that this is quite noticeable more so for viewers who

Commented [VGG13]: So far, you seem to be giving general information or summary of the themes in the book. But such a focus is not appropriate. Focus each body paragraph on one difference between the book and movie, prove the difference exists (with evidence from the book and movie), and then analyze the difference to prove your thesis.



Exam # 50050600 6

have read the book “Nothing Lasts Forever”, as it reveals the outstanding similarities with both

the film and the book.

In addition, it should be noted that the novel featured female terrorists, while the movie

only featured male terrorists.

Worth noting is that the end of the story in the book “Nothing Lasts Forever” is different

from the film “Die Hard”. The book ends less optimistically whereby we are left with the

suggestion of Joe possibly succumbing to his wounds the leading to his death. On the other hand,

the film leaves the viewer with the assurance of the main character John McLane having

survived the ordeal, despite numerous injuries, and his being recognized as a hero.

The film director attempted to address a classic/post narrative using an approach that

reveals the structural description of the main character McClean (Bruce Willis,) by showing us

how we respond to different situations such as confrontation and conflict resolution through a

series of violent encounters.

In addition to other aspects, we observe the potential he holds in charm over women

combined in his expressions and witty sense of humor. This is while we observe the main movie

character utilizing his violent combat skills such as the fight scene in the elevator.

This is supplemented with a large teddy bear he has brought with him as his largest piece

of luggage which reveals his fatherly or paternal instinct.



Exam # 50050600 7

This can be connected to the technique and theoretical view of certain locations being in

sharp contrast with the main realm.

However, we are shown that when the main movie character lures terrorists to an isolated

location away from the main action when he makes a run to the ventilator. This is a clear display

of the skills of his ability to out maneuver his enemies (the terrorists). “Die Hard” is one of the

images that is most persistent as well as being the most gratifying. As it shows that for the title

character, Maclean, for him, it is indeed: HARD TO DIE.

This means that the moments in the entire film are held in the definition of the measure of

being acoustically loud since the violence is un-toned. Violent scenes are highly graphical and no

regard is given as to how the viewer might “take it all in”. This culminates in adrenaline

pumping action scenes. One such instance being the initial fight scene that takes place with no

gunfire exchange, even though it is presented in hard fought physical hand to hand combat, in

contrast with the book.

However, despite the triumph of McClean, he is left battered and bloody in the course of

the fight that reveals his heroism.

In comparison with the book, the film skillfully integrates the ambiguities that surround

the law enforcement of the city by showing how a single citizen (as the main movie character) is

able to triumph over his adversaries with almost completely no help from the regular law

enforcement agencies of both local and federal governments.



Exam # 50050600 8

The law enforcement officials are supposed to be providing information and assistance,

but McClean is instead provided with irrelevance and ineffectuality. McClean’s expectations of

such officials are for assistance which is proved to be miscalculated as they take the alternative

of Gruber in tow with the outcomes that nearly prove to be fatal to the hostages as well as

McClean.

In the case of “Die Hard”, the director makes the attempt of portraying the movie in as

close proximity as possible to real life, in an effort to make the viewer accept the film as a

realistic and a true reflection of everyday life.

Assumptions regarding the realism of the film are normally linked to indexical concepts

that prevail amidst the photographic imagery. This is turn constitutes part of the bifurcation

amidst realism and formalism within film theories (Matthew 47).

Roderick Thorp as the author of the book “Nothing Lasts Forever”, helps us to perceive

how such theories regarding the nature of cinematic imagery can transform the era of practices of

digital imagery as well as notions which lay in the indexical basis of the realism of films that

require close examination.

Such an approach to realism in the film is possibly the most elementary theoretical

perception of the foundation of realism in film. This is established in the view of photographic

imagery unlike indexical signs or paintings in contrast with the book.



Exam # 50050600 9

Critiques of the film “Die Hard” have to be faced with its dramatic positive depiction and

focus and perceptual-cognitive realism. This is because most of its violent scenes explore the

cognitive realism that provides a realistic portrayal (Bryant 15).

In contrast with the book, realism has been a longstanding arena of discussion in film

theory literature although theories of realism have largely suffered from certain crucial

challenges. Such as: what sells to the public, or commercialism.

These lie in the limited emphasis on cinema as well as the overly textual analysis that

neglects the real audience, this as well as the reliance upon deduction from premises un-reflected

upon regarding the audience.

In comparison with the book, part of this challenge is based on the analysis of realism as

the taking of film cultures in increased familiarity in as sense whereby challenges do not seem to

be concerned (Helena 55). In certain circles, the normative injunction of a film being required to

increase the realism on the screen adheres from the film's indexical quality.

This is established on the collection of empirical investigations of claims regarding the

spectators such that they are theorized on the basis of the trans-historic desire of man to arrest

time and death through the realist representation fulfilled in films.

In this case, the spectator is shocked through the redemption of the realism of the film’s

imagery on the basis of the proposition of the film’s images being based on the inspiration of

awe and not the resemblance, but rather on the indexical nature as revealed in the film “Die

Hard”. (Matthew 98).



Exam # 50050600 10

Conclusion

All in all, we observe that in the book “Nothing Lasts Forever” and the film “Die Hard”,

both their respective author and director understand the extent of the spectator and cleverly

manipulate their main characters so as to inspire their audiences (viewers and readers). The

inspiration being to reflect on the imbalances, and possibly question the systems that govern

them.

The book “Nothing Lasts Forever” is greatly similar to the classical movie even though it

misses the humor of the one liners written into the movie.

Furthermore, the greater part of the iconic scenes in the movie “Die Hard” is not derived

from the book. Such as the scene where the main character has to crawl around within the

elevator shafts when C4 explosives are suddenly dropped down upon him.

Another scene feature is when McClean has to jump off the roof while tied to a fire hose

and a gun strapped to his back. The are very many similarities which make it nearly pointless for

one to read the book if one is well versed with the movie “Die Hard”.

The main differences between the book and the movie without the inclusion of the names

and character transformations entail the part where the terrorists were set on exposing the

company rather than exploding it which gives the movie less of a Hollywood feel. Overall the

book fades into obscurity whereas the movie remains amazing.



Exam # 50050600 11



Exam # 50050600 12

Works Cited

Bryant, L. Nick, S. Harma, G. Continental materialism, and realism.Victoria.6.2011.Print

Helena, B. Rick, B. Film enjoyment in the narrative function of experience and perception of

transported realism.Communications.36. 2011. Print

Matthew, B. Realism adventures. Adventures in Realism.1. 2008.Print

McTiernan, J. Die Hard. Gordon Company.1988.Print

Roderick, T. Nothing Lasts Forever. W.W Norton and Company.1st Edition. 1979.Print


Documents

Student # 70673933 Exam # 50050600 · PDF fileManuel Ramos da Cruz Student #706793933 [email protected] 524 Unit D Greenfield Avenue Kitchener, Ontario N2C 1G2 Ontario Canada