Jake Sully's Journey: Character Analysis
Year 10 English Avatar (2009) Character Study 40-minute lesson
WALT - We Are Learning To
Analyse the character development of Jake Sully in Avatar (2009) Use evidence from film clips and discussion to support interpretations Make connections between the character's journey and broader themes Communicate ideas clearly in writing
Success Criteria
I can identify key moments that show Jake Sully's character change I can use film evidence (words, actions, or visuals) to explain his development I can reflect on what motivates Jake and how this relates to the story's themes I can write a structured response with clear examples
Film Clip Viewing Instructions
Watch selected clips showing Jake's character arc Take notes on Jake's behaviour, attitudes, and key decisions Notice how camera angles, music, and dialogue reveal character Pay attention to interactions with other characters
Guided Group Discussion
What do we learn about Jake at the start of the film? How does his attitude change and why? What key events influence these changes? How do language and visuals help us understand Jake's feelings?
Jake's Character Journey
Beginning: Disabled marine, lost purpose, seeking meaning Middle: Learning Na'vi culture, gaining new perspective Transformation: Choosing Pandora over human mission End: Becoming a Na'vi leader and protector
Writing Task
Write a paragraph analysing Jake's character development Use evidence from film clips and discussion Include sentence stems for support Focus on key moments that show change
Differentiation Support
{"left":"Visual organisers and character maps provided\nSentence starters and vocabulary lists available\nPeer discussion partnerships\nAudio support for reading materials","right":"Extended analysis of directorial choices\nCharacter comparisons with other texts\nCreative writing extensions\nOral presentation opportunities"}
Sharing and Feedback
Volunteers read their paragraphs aloud Positive feedback on use of evidence Identify strong examples of character analysis Celebrate different perspectives and insights
Reflection and Next Steps
Check your work against the success criteria What did you learn about Jake Sully's character? How can you apply character analysis to other texts? Complete any unfinished writing for homework