{"id":377,"date":"2016-10-26T13:22:21","date_gmt":"2016-10-26T17:22:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/faculty.sites.wfu.edu\/steve-jarrett\/?page_id=377"},"modified":"2016-10-26T13:22:21","modified_gmt":"2016-10-26T17:22:21","slug":"bringing-up-baby-study-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/faculty.sites.wfu.edu\/steve-jarrett\/home\/course-information-2\/com-312\/bringing-up-baby-study-guide","title":{"rendered":"Bringing Up Baby Study Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bringing Up Baby<\/em> (1938)
\nReleased by RKO
\nDirector: Howard Hawks
\nScreenwriters: Dudley Nichols and Hagar Wilde<\/p>\n

Historical\/Industry context<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Howard Hawks is noted for his work in both action\/adventure films like Scarface<\/em> (1932) and Red River<\/em> (1948) and comedies like His Girl Friday<\/em> (1940) and Monkey Business<\/em> (1952). Hawks is generally thought of as more of a storyteller than a visual stylist. He is known for having worked with a number of the best screenwriters in Hollywood. Interestingly, Hawks is frequently cited as a \u201cman\u2019s director,\u201d despite the fact that many of his films, certainly including Bringing Up Baby<\/em>, are concerned with gender issues, including gender role reversal.<\/p>\n

Narrative context<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Given that the film is largely about male\/female relationships, and specifically the women in David\u2019s life, what is the significance of his profession? (And, by the way, what is the significance of the name David Huxley, given his profession?)<\/p>\n

In what ways does the film lead us to believe that Susan might be a better life partner for David than David\u2019s fiancee?<\/p>\n

What is the significance of the fact that Susan seems to compulsively claim what is not hers (e.g., the golf ball, the car, the purse)?<\/p>\n

David professes his dislike for Susan from the beginning. Which of his actions and\/or words belie that claim? How early in the film do these inadvertent signs of underlying affection appear?<\/p>\n

In what ways is David portrayed by the film in a feminine light? Why do you think this was done?<\/p>\n

What elements in the film can be regarded as a way of commenting on David\u2019s relationships with his fiancee and with Susan?<\/p>\n

How would the film be different if \u201cBaby\u201d had been some other exotic animal \u2013 such as a monkey or an elephant? Why do you suppose the choice was made to use a leopard?<\/p>\n

Rhetorical context<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Screwball comedy is a subcategory of romantic comedy. What conventions can you identify that are common to all romantic comedies, and which conventions are specific to screwball comedy?<\/p>\n

What is the film\u2019s attitude toward traditional concepts of gender roles?<\/p>\n

How many societal institutions, including professions, can you identify that are satirized in this film?<\/p>\n

What is the significance of the psychiatrist\u2019s comment that \u201cAll people who behave strangely are not insane\u201d?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bringing Up Baby (1938) Released by RKO Director: Howard Hawks Screenwriters: Dudley Nichols and Hagar Wilde Historical\/Industry context Howard Hawks is noted for his work in both action\/adventure films like Scarface (1932) and Red River (1948) and comedies like His Girl Friday (1940) and Monkey Business (1952). Hawks is generally thought of as more of … <\/p>\n