Friday, December 12, 2014
Reactions to Precious
For your last blog post for the class I would like you to react to the film Precious from the point of view of one of the main characters: Precious, Precious's Mother (Mary) or her social worker (Ms. Weiss). What would you do if you were in that characters situation? What would you do to resolve the dilemma your character faces?
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Precious.....sad,hurt,lonely, used, misguided and mistreated by both her parents. Buried in her weight and found comfort in food due to the abusive life she has.
ReplyDeleteThe way her mother allowed that man to touch her since she was a baby is just terrible. The mother taking it out on her is unforgivable...kudos to Precious for walking away from that monster. That is a sign of strength.
Through the movie Precious has fantasies and dreams which seems to be one of her coping mechanisms and to block the bad things she was going thru.
Precious was moved from her school because she became pregnant with her second child. In the new school she began to gain friends and she felt loved and welcome. Her teacher Miss Rain inspires Precious to read and write. She encourages Precious to not give up and to and believe in herself.
When she gave birth to her son Abdul she went back home to find a very angry mother, who purposely throws the baby on the floor and beats Precious. She ran out with her baby and went to the school, the only place she felt safe. Her teacher Miss Rain is really a blessing in Precious life. She found assistance for Precious and the baby in a halfway house. Precious continues her education and seems happier. Her mother is no longer receiving welfare checks, she becomes desperate. So she goes as far as contacting the case worker just to get money for Precious and the kids.
Precious agrees to meet the mother and case worker. In the meeting Precious mother reveals to the case worker details of the abuse Precious endures since she was a baby. She even blames Precious for it, I mean that got me angry. Maybe she has a mental problem, but She sat there to play the victim and put it on her child. I do not care about her background, where she came from or her past. Her job was to protect her baby no matter what. Nothing justifies what she and now death father did to Precious. She is ignorant, selfish and deserved to be alone and much more.
At the end Precious is walking with both her children, a loving mother with a new outlook in life.
She now has hope in the future for her and her family.
I think the point of the film at the end was that Precious did survive. However, her mother deserved everything she received and much more. Often, perpetrators will blame their victims for the very abuse they dispense upon them. These evil and dangerous individuals are psychologically powerless, small children halted developmentally and entirely more common and ordinary than our society chooses to believe. A haltingly, frightening film, Precious story is not the exception but slowly becoming a "norm." According to new psychological research and studies, child sexual abuse is one of the major precursors and contributors to a lot of the world's ills which include: alcoholism, a broad range and host of many mild and severe mental illnesses, obesity, criminality, and suicide.
DeleteKarla, I agree that there is no excuse for Mary’s actions. She was selfish and caught up in her own selfish needs; she should have protected her daughter. It is obvious, that she had some emotional and mental issues. Mary’s sick desire to please a man that did not care for her, and his own daughter meant more to her. Although Precious went through all that abuse, her character was the strongest because she was able to pick up the pieces of her life and she was determined to succeed.
DeletePrecious' story is indicative of so many young ladies of today. Unlike in the movie "Push" their stories go untold for years if not forever. As young as an infant, she was abused, raped, etc., all because her mother thought she needed a man to define her worth, she craved to be loved just that much that she allowed such an act to take place on her own flush and blood. To allow a man to knowingly and to be a witness to this inhuman act is a low as a parent can go. I can't help but to believe that Precious's mother faced many obstacles in her past, she also depended the government to feed & provide for her, one of her statements suggested that her mother also abused her, if not physically, definitely mentally. This however, does not give the right to pass the abuse on.
ReplyDeleteI commend the fact that in all her obstacles she "Pushed" her way thru life, playing the hand she was dealt to the best of her ability. She fought for the right to succeed. She could have mirrored her mother's imagine as many do, but because her tenacity she had to make the difference in her own eyes. She didn't want to subject her kids to what she went thru.
She was big in weight, eating seemed to be her comfort zone. The day she begin to fight back, was the day I believe she had a revelation. She was more determined to get out of her negative environment one way or the other. She dreamed a lot of a prosperous life, a life she was determined to meet one day.
She was transferred to the new school because of this being her 2nd pregnancy.
The obstacles continued, but this was a positive obstacle, she had to release her embarrassment and the fact she couldn't read. But she learned early that all in the class had as many, if not more issues than she did. But, each girl also learned that the teacher was there to help them not set them up for failure. One of the last fights she had with her mother convinced her she could not go back to that atmosphere. Her new teacher tried desperately to find Precious somewhere to stay once she decided she was not going back home, to no avail, so she invited her to come to her home.
At one point her mother wanted to make amends with Precious and set up a meeting with the social worker, this did not happen. Precious found the courage to say "NO". She knew this would take her back to a place she fought so hard to overcome. As the story ended, she walked off with her two kids, walking towards the life she always imagined.
2nd post
I agree w/Karla that nothing can justify allowing anyone to abuse your child/children.
Unfortunately, we have more information on familial sexual abuse today than ever before. We know that nine times out of ten both parents are aware of the abuse that is ongoing and occurring under their roofs. Precious was a hard film to watch and portrayed a lot of ugliness that our society refuses to deal with or actually encourages.
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ReplyDeleteFrom the 1976 novel Push by Sapphire; the film Precious is filled with urban horror and more than a bit of exaggeration. She’s over weight, illiterate and regularly, sexually abused by her father; who eventually produces two children with her. If not for the translatable thespian skills of unknown Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe's performance, her character along with the story line is almost unbelievable, as well as unbearable. A constant strive for normalcy, Precious’ unwavering resilience; her never tiring endurance; and her indomitable spirit are note worthy and awe inspiring.
DeleteThe Academy award winning performance by Mo’Nique as Precious’ mother dominates the screen and sets an all new low for “bad guys.” Mo’Nique drew upon her real life experiences of being repeatedly, sexually abused by an older brother and used it as a catalyst for this role. Scary, chilling and obviously mentally ill, she portrays a common, realistic figure in the black community. Single mindedly concerned with governmental benefits, sex, food and hedonism; while lethal to her nearest and dearest. She was the most believable character in the film.
All in all, Precious was depicted as an overblown “tales from the hood.” Director Lee Daniels leaves the intelligent viewer unmoved and suspicious of the portentious display he presents on the big screen. The viewer is exposed to almost every malady and dysfunction imaginable; he exploits this poorly scripted story of a poverty stricken, imprisoned, unattractive, obese girl’s life and ending. Eventually she learns to read and there are some key figures in the film, such as Mariah Carey who saves the day with an injection of confrontation and courage. Giving rising to some hope of this country’s floundering social services accomplishing some good. Yet, we still miss out on an authentic story buried beneath the films over seeking of gore and shock, which only served to obliterate any genuine opportunity to exemplify some of the real, darker components of “ghetto” life.
My poor baby Precious. She was very alone in her own world. No one to talk to , She lived in very abusive environment. She was emotionally and physically abused through out her child hood. Precious had no one to talk to and this was back in the 70's era .Back then people would turn there heads the other way if they heard any sexual abusive going on. Precious had no where to go. Later on the movie she did talk with the counselor (Mariah Carey) , where she found comfortable talking to. If I was her I would left that environment and let the state take the kids . At least the I know the kids won't be in abusive environment . I would just live on the streets. That's what I would do.
ReplyDeleteWhat would I do if I was in Precious's shoes? Precious is trapped by her situation but her situation is not hopeless and as the film demonstrates there are mechanisms and policies that could help. In order to be a good mother....you need to first be able to take care of yourself. In the case of Precious's first pregnancy..I would of had an abortion if I was her..especially because the pregnancy was the result of incest and would have the increased chance of being more with a physical or mental disability. Abortion may not be an option for everyone but in that case the baby could have been put up for adoption.
DeleteRegarding her living situation with very violent and abusive mother...she didn't have to stand for her mother's abuse there were alternatives available and social workers (as we see in the film) who could help. Living in a shelter or a halfway house for abused teens is far from ideal but it would have been better than the situation with her mother. Eventually Precious does end up in a living situation that allows her to raise her two children and continue her education. In many respects Precious is very lucky and can serve asn an example for others.
The character I would have depicted would be Precious’ mother, Mary. I would have sought out professional help earlier rather than later; Mary is the cause of Precious’ outcome, and ultimately Precious would have had a better childhood if action were taken in a timely fashion. Although Precious’s father contributed to a major part of her problems, Mary should have stood up for what was right and got the law involved , Precious would not have had children at an early age and contracted HIV. Mary obviously experienced some form of neglect and abuse.
ReplyDeletePsychologically she lacks the will power and morals needed to change her circumstances. However, Mary could have utilized the law and councilors, in order to defend her household and her only child. Mary’s ignorance to life and desperation for love and men created a barrier between herself and her daughter. Being educated might have made a slight difference in Mary’s perception of life and her self-worth. Mary could have shown love and compassion to Precious. If Mary had loved Precious more that she loved her boyfriend, she would have protected the innocence of her baby. Instead, Mary was caught up with her wigs, television shows and finding ways to defraud the system. Unfortunately, Mary discovered that she love and missed her daughter after she left to better her life, and it was a little too late to win her back.
Sherwina.. the only problem is that I doubt Precious's mother thinks she is mentally ill and their is no on in her with even love or power over her to convince her she needs help. I doubt Mary would ever seek help on her own.
DeleteClaireece Prescious Jones, an overweight teenage girl who lives with her mom in a tenement in the slum of New York. This young lady suffered more than many adults have every suffered in their life time, both physically and emotionally. At the tender age of sixteen she have been raped countless times by her own father and had two children, both by him. With her mother abusing her at home, and she being stuck in 9th grade at school and all what she endured, she still had dreams for her life. She dreamed of a bright and happy future for herself, these dreams in my opinion is a reflection of Prescious true personality, hidden behind all her anger and sadness. Prescious was strong, I do not know what I would have done if I was a constant child abuse, rape, domestic violence, incest, physical and mental abuse. One thing precious the movie thought me is that we might not have the same opportunities but each one of us has unique capabilities no matter what color skin, gender or iq. Prescious discovered that the only way to come out from her situation is to get an education, and distance herself from the negative influences in her life. If I was in Prescious place, I also would seek refuge in education.
ReplyDeleteIf I had to choose a character from the film it would be precious mother. She was like a wild animal. As a mother she was suppose to protect her child from any harm that's what a parent does. When precious was younger and was being molested by her father, as a women she should have put a stop to it on sight. As a mother I would have made sure that man never seen the light of day.
ReplyDeletePrecious being raped by her father, a young girl first true love instead gave her two children. Precious mother should have stood by her only child. She could have stopped this man from the door when precious was only 3. That was the first time he touched her. Mother Instinct should kicked in and got that man out of your house, your life, and especially away from your child. To resolve the issues precious mother had was to go to a therapy session and not just once. Her mother was dealing with issues of her own womanhood. Once she can get her issues figured out she can help precious. If its one thing I learned you can't help nobody that can't help themselves.
The story of Precious is definitely a sad one, not too many teenage girls can endure what she went through as far as the abuse from her mother, being raped by her father and actually having his children without any form resentment towards her kids.I think it takes strength and a whole lot of character to overcome such adversities,definitely qualities she didn't inherit from her mother. Precious had many weaknesses also such as low self-esteem, aggression, and a temper, her low self- esteem was a result of the abuse from her mother, and it didn't help that the only man she has ever been with intimate with was her father. Her aggression was probably due to frustration of constantly having to take the abuse from her mother both mentally and physically.
ReplyDeleteI don't know too many people who could to walk a mile in her shoes without kicking them off. I can honestly say that overall I really admired the fact that she remained strong for her kids, and willing to better herself to give them a better life, the life that her mother never give her. I think Ms.Rain gave Precious a sense of hope just when she was ready to give up on herself, and the fact that Ms. Rain was genuinely willing to help and encourage her on her journey made Precious feel something that was missing from home. In the end she found a little bit of peace, happiness, and moved on from her past.
The story of precious is one tragedy that should never happen to anyone. If I were in precious shoes, I would have probably let someone know what was going on. I think precious was of age that she could have been told whether having a child from her father is right or wrong. She was going to school before she got pregnant with her second child. Even though, she did not speak much in class her exposure to her surrounding could have brought some kind of knowledge to her. I kind of blame some of the teachers in her first school because after a while you see a student keep coming pregnant at a young age, why did the push for more evidence pertaining to her situation. If you see a child struggling in school and you as the teacher know that this child is willing to learn, why did the call a social worker or provide help for precious. I frankly think Precious was old enough to come to realization that something is wrong, her mother abuse and her father. I do understand that you can be scared in coming out and tell the truth, but after one child and so many abused. Not a clue that your kids can be your brother or sister, even my only child 6 yrs. old can tell what is right from wrong by simply saying to me “no mommy I cannot kiss my cousin that’s nasty”. I sure did not teach him that. You will be amazed of the things our children are learning outside doors and my son is considered to be quiet in class, but when he gets home he can tell you everything that went on around him. Never the less, Precious is not to blame for her negligence, but her parents who abuse her at an early age.
ReplyDeleteI would resolve the issue that precious face by everything she did in the movie after being kick out from highs school. I would have tried to come out of the situation by reporting it to a social worker and getting my life together. When it comes to the children, the decision would have to be on that individual. Since many people have views about abortion. The children are also a part of her. Her mother definitely does not need to be near her, but she can forgive and even take care of her personal needs from a distance, after all she gives her life. I always believe you can forgive and love a person whether there are near you or far away.