The setting of James Clavell’s “The Children’s Story” video is in an unnamed grade school classroom. It is set after warfare between America and an unspecified nation. The film commences with the replacement of the previous tutor with a new teacher. The new teacher has been brought in to educate the kids to support the occupiers. In the course of the film, the new teacher persuades the children to desert their religious beliefs as well as national allegiance ( Mobil Showcase Network, 2010) . The teacher relentlessly elucidates to the children about the change even going an extra mile to bribe them with candy, songs as well as praises. She evades any questions that may result to rebellion against the occupiers such as when asked if America won or lost the war, she methodically answers that ‘we won’ ( Mobil Showcase Network, 2010). In the film, it is only Johnny who does not get influenced easily by the new teacher’s charm. But in the course of the film when the teacher offers him a position of authority in class, he is also swayed.
How did you feel as you watched the videos?
Watching James Clavell’s “The Children’s Story” videos was alarming. It is worrisome thinking of how children’s minds are vulnerable to manipulation by the influential figures they rely on. The videos show how young minds are susceptible to exploitation and control. In just twenty-five minutes, while using sophisticated propaganda techniques, the new teacher brainwashes the whole classroom of youngsters and turn them against their basic freedoms, parents, as well as nation. Though short, the videos are shocking and leave a lasting impression of how authority figures can exercise their powers to mold any person’s mind to drive their agendas.
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If you think about your definition of curriculum and the definition of curriculum offered by Walker &Soltis, how would you describe the curriculum in the video?
According to me, a curriculum encompasses all the learning experiences acquired in the teaching-learning process. On the other hand, Walker and Soltis (1986) define c urriculum as a guideline for educators set out to advise them on what they are required to edify their learners, that is, the subjects required along with the techniques to ensure the learner grasps the concept. However, the curriculum in James Clavell’s ‘The Children’s Story’ only entails activities that propagate political propaganda. The new teacher acts as the agent of the foreign regime, and her role is to ensure that the young kids are in support of the occupiers. She employs techniques such as enticing the children with incentives like candy, songs, and praises so that they can let go their beliefs and embrace the occupier’s beliefs. This curriculum is a manipulative one rather than being informative and educative.
What do you think the children in the video learned?
Children are like a blank piece of paper. Whatever you fill this blank paper remains vivid like a drawing. As such, the new teacher takes advantage of their innocence and fills their minds with ideas aimed at promoting political indoctrination. For instance, the teacher elucidates to the unknowing children how the American flag is nothing but an old piece of cloth. She succeeds in convincing them to cut it into pieces and toss the flag pole out of the window terming it as a worthless symbol. Secondly, the children learn that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance is a meaningless ritual and waste of time.
Moreover, the children also learn that praying to God is a waste of time and instead, they should pray to their leaders. But after Johnny uncovers the new teacher's act, she explains to the children that the only person they should pray to for assistance is a fellow human being. Furthermore, the children learned that their parents had wrong thoughts making them rebellious to the occupiers. Lastly, the children learned that it is alright to keep secrets from their parents. All in all, the new teacher succeeded in poisoning the young minds.
What questions did the video raise for you?
Watching James Clavell’s ‘The Children’s Story’ made me ponder on several thought-provoking questions. Firstly, who will educate the children morals if their parents don’t? Are parents ok for their kids to adopt other people’s values? Between the state and the parent, whose responsibility is it to raise and train children? Lastly, do parents know what goes on in their children’s classrooms?
References
Mobil Showcase Network. (2010). James Clavell’s “The Children’s Story” video [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4Nltg6lZtQ
Soltis, J. F., & Walker, D. F. (1986). Curriculum and Aim.
