ET Analysis

• Describe the frog dissection class scene, and what is inter-cut with it. What does the teacher ask the students to look at to "observe the similarities," and what two things would the students be comparing? What does this tell us about what is being inter-cut? What is the metaphor here?

The students are shown in a lab, preparing for a dissection. The lesson and teaching is very dry, and the kids are disinterested. The teacher compares the frog hearts to human hearts, stating that they will still be beating during dissection. Meanwhile, the scene is intercut with ET watching a classic American romance film, and responding emotionally. I think that the intention is to show that despite the differences in species, ET, the frogs, and humans are all similar. We share similar emotions, and deserve to be treated fairly and equally.

• What allusions exist in E.T. that cause critics to believe that the film is a religious story? This is a common critique. Discuss at least five things (at least two of which are visuals, and two are plot points) in paragraph form, research, and post an article on this topic.

Et very blatantly references religion through imagery and plot. ET embodies a "holy spirit" or savior figure, clearly observable in 3 plot points: His mixed relationship with those on Earth (captivating to the young and threatening to the old), his resurrection after death, and the miracles and mysterious power he possesses. ET is comparable to Jesus; he arrives mysteriously and immediately captures the attention of the people. In this case, children play the role of the common people, while the adults could be the Romans. The adults are immediately threatened when they discover ET, and they disapprove of his influence over children. Visually, the film references aspects of religion very clearly. Two images which immediately come to mind are ET's glowing fingertip (conveying his hidden power) and the glowing lights as the children look upwards toward heaven.

• What allusions exist in E.T. that cause critics to consider this film a critique of America's comfort or discomfort with immigration? Discuss three things in paragraph form.
• An important quote: Scientist: "So Elliott thinks its thoughts?" Michael: "No, Elliott feels his feelings." Why is this quote important, and how does it relate to the contrast between how the children receive E.T. and how the adults do? How does it connect to "otherness," issues surrounding immigration, and foreign relations in the 1980s?