THE BUTTERFLY CIRCUS

Discussion

VOCABULARY1. Carnival: A travelling funfair or circus2. Circus: A travelling company of acrobats, clowns, and

other entertainers which gives performances, typically in a large tent, in a series of different places.

3. Freak Show: A sideshow at a fair, featuring abnormally developed people or animals. An unusual or grotesque event viewed for pleasure, especially when in bad taste.

4. Perversion of Nature: The alteration of something from its original course, meaning, or state to a distortion or corruption of what was first intended:

5. Magnificent: Impressively beautiful, elaborate, or extravagant; striking:

6. Gimp: a physically disabled person, esp one who is lame7. Showman: a person who presents or produces a theatrical

show, etc

VOCABULARY8. Buenos Dias: “Good Morning or Good Day” in Spanish9. Sideshow: a small show or entertainment offered in conjunction with a larger attraction, as at a circus or fair10.A man’s imperfections: a man’s faults or defects11.Contortionist: a performer who contorts his body for the

entertainment of others12.Flying trapeze: (gymnastics) a trapeze used in performing

gymnastic displays high above the ground13.Beauty from ashes: Mythology A bird in Egyptian

mythology that lived in the desert for 500 years and then consumed itself by fire, later to rise renewed from its ashes.

14.Cocoon: . A protective case of silk or similar fibrous material spun by the larvae of moths and other insects that serves as a covering for their pupal stage

CHARACTERS

1.Mr. Mendez:2.Sammy:3.The Painted Man:4.The Limbless Man/Will:5.Anna:6.Contortionist:7.George:8.Poppy:

Stop description/Time

Directions: 1. Quick Write, 2. Pair-share and 3. Share out on each Key Question.

Just after he learns who the man with the hat is... 5:22

Based on your observations of the “man with no limbs,” how does he feel about himself? Support your claim with evidence from the film.

“The greater the challenge, the greater the triumph.” 13:36

In what way are the ring master’s words, “The greater the challenge, the greater the triumph” surprising? How do you predict those words will affect the man without limbs?

Just after he celebrates on the log--having gotten up on his own... 15:56

How does the man with no limbs feel about himself at this moment? How do you know? Use details from the film to support you claim.

After he is hugged by the boy on crutches… and the mom thanks him. 19:06

In what way, has the man with no limbs become successful? Include discussion of his dive, the boy on crutches, his mom, and the circus ringmaster in your discussion. Refer to specific evidence from the film in your response.

At the end of the film...

1. Why does the ringmaster DANCE away? Justify your claim with discussion of events throughout the text.2. What does the butterfly symbolize? Use at least three pieces of evidence from the film to support your claim.

QUESTIONS

1. Why is this movie called “The Butterfly Circus”?

2. Who was your favorite character, and why?3. What did you think the first time you saw

Will?4. How did you feel about children throwing

tomatoes?5. Why did Mr. Mendez say, “You are

Magnificent.”?6. Why didn’t Mr. Mendez help Will out of the

truck?7. Mr. Mendez said, “There’s nothing inspiring

about a man’s imperfections on display.” What did he mean?

8. Why did Mr. Mendez say to Will, “A man…whom God himself has forgotten.”

9. How do you feel about the quote: “The greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph.”

QUESTIONS

11.Why doesn’t Mr. Mendez help Will when he want to cross the stream?

12.Why does Mr. Mendez dance away as Will talks to the children after the circus?

13.What was your favorite moment in the movie?

14.How does this movie inspire you?

Whether you think you can,

or you think you can’t ~

you’re right.

~Henry Ford (Ford Motors)

How does the film Butterfly Circus illustrate Ford’s words?

How does our definition of ourselves

influence our success?

Butterfly Circus demonstrates that a positive definition of ourselves is empowering. Your task now is examine how you define yourself. • Can you (should you) improve your

personal definition?• Decide on one small change you can

make to your personal definition, one way your words will demonstrate personal kindness.• Make a commitment to that small

change.• Finally, predict how this change

might improve your success.