MARIE ANTOINETTE

 A SOFIA COPPOLA´S FILM


1.    What is Marie Antoinette's home country?


2.     Describe the “handing off” ceremony when Marie Antoinette leaves her country and enters France. What does it symbolize?


3.      Why was so important to Marie Antoinette the consummation of her marriage? Who did pressure her?

 

4.     Describe the character of Louis XVI, as portrayed in the movie. What is he like?

 

5.     Was Marie Antoinette happy in her marriage?

 

6.     Due to her extravagant tastes, Marie Antoinette had many nicknames. Point out, at least, one of them and explain why does it refer to her.

 

7.     In spite of being a false event, according to historians, Marie Antoinette said “let them eat cakes” Why did she say these words? Explain the context.

 

8.      Why does the mob become angry when Marie Antoinette appears on the balcony of Versailles?

 

9.     How does Marie Antoinette die?


10.  What war does Louis XVI support? Why?


11. How do you link Marie Antoinette’s life style with the outbreak of French Revolution?

 

Customs of an age:

 

a.     Why did Marie take baths with a nightgown on?

 

b.     Why wasn't it acceptable for Marie to breastfeed her daughter?


 

AND, OF COURSE, A REALLY GOOD SONG FROM THE SOUNTRACK OF THE FILM TO CHEER YOU UP WHILE YOU COMPLETE YOUR TASK!

 

["WHAT EVER HAPPENED" BY THE STROKES]




DID MARIE-ANTOINETTE WEAR A PAIR OF CONVERSE?


When Marie-Antoinette is going through her shoes while preparing for a big party you see a pair of blue Converse All Star 1923 Chuck Taylor basketball shoes for about one and a half seconds. While these shoes were definitely not in existence at the time of Marie-Antoinette, their inclusion in the film was intentional, to portray Marie-Antoinette as a typical teenage girl despite the time she lived in.


"If you have got a new point of view about the World, you’ll have to find new ways of showing it”

Mark Rothko

 

Pilar Sánchez  has a double Degree in Literary Theory and Comparative Literature (2010), a Degree in History (2002), both by Salamanca University. She also has Advanced Studies in Philosophy.

 

She has been working as a teacher and researcher in  the Salamanca University, Art and Aesthetics Department, as an Art critic, a team member in specialised publications, teacher of Spanish as a foreign language in other countries (Ireland), Secondary teacher of Social Studies and Spanish Language and Literature in Madrid and Head of Department in SEK Les Alpes International School.

 

Her main goals when teaching are setting up the latest educational methodologies based on cooperative and blended learning, relying on emotional intelligence as one of the best means to enhance teacher and teenage students’ relationship.