Film as Literature

Exploring Antagonists with The Princess Bride

Do you know how to "read" a film? It's a lot like reading a book, and it requires careful attention to things like themes, characterization, dialogue, and more!

In this class, you'll gain key academic reading skills by viewing film as literature.

We'll watch The Princess Bride to discuss the theme of antagonists. Class will include viewing guides to help you pull out major threads from the film, discussion to take your observations deeper, and a final project that explores what you've found.

Gain Key Academic Writing and Reading Foundations

Students will learn foundational academic writing and reading skills including attention to detail, exploration of literary themes, note-taking, and discussion. They will practice these skills through themed writing assignments based on the film and supplemental materials. 

Meet Live Weekly

This is a live class, which means we meet weekly to discuss the reading and explore writing tips. Learners can also interact with each other and the instructor between class meetings on our class discussion boards.

Provided materials include reading guides and activities to help with vocabulary and comprehension as well as writing tips to apply to short, informal writing assignments.

Schedule

This class is February 17-March 14, 2027 with live meetings on Wednesdays from 11-11:45am Eastern/10-10:45am Central/9-9:45am Mountain/8-8:45am Pacific. 

Course Details

  • Live Format: This is a live class, which means we meet weekly online for discussions and activities. Homework is completed between live meetings with set, weekly due dates.

  • Individualized Challenge: There are multiple project options so that learners with different levels of experience can find a good challenge fit.

  • Supplies: To participate successfully in class, learners will need the following: PDF Reader, Word Processing Software (such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word), and access to the film The Princess Bride.

Pricing options

This class uses a sliding fee scale for pricing options in order to build more equitable access to these educational opportunities.

Is this the right fit?

This class is designed to be accessible to a range of students, and the final project is adaptable to meet a variety of needs in terms of difficulty. To be successful in this class, students should be able to: 

  • Write about 500 words (about 2 pages double spaced) on a single topic
  • Confidently read texts at or above 800L on the Lexile rating
  • Participate in group discussions respectfully

This class is a good fit for both middle and high school learners who want to practice literary analysis skills in a fun and engaging environment.

Skills Gained

Students will practice literary analysis skills around a specific theme while watching and discussing a film.

The class will culminate in a final project that allows personal exploration of that theme.

Individual Support

We will have a Rough Draft Day in class where learners can meet individually with the instructor to get support on their final projects.

My teaching philosophy very much focuses on starting with students’ strengths to build confidence and using them to work on improvements over time.

Feedback is tailored to each student’s individual needs and goals. I also encourage a lot of self-reflection and provide opportunities for students to directly communicate their challenges so that facing them with strategies becomes a normal part of the writing process.

Content Warning

The Princess Bride is rated PG and contains murders, sword fighting, and suspenseful moments.

Families are encouraged to pre-screen the film if they have any concerns. 

Meet Your Teacher!

Michelle Parrinello-Cason

Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason is the founder of Dayla Learning. She has a PhD in rhetoric and composition, a passion for helping students find their writing voice, and two homeschooling children of her own. Michelle has taught in a wide variety of settings including six years as a full-time college professor. She has been teaching virtual and in-person homeschool writing and humanities classes for more than five years. Michelle believes in meeting students where they are and — as any of her previous students will tell you — believes deeply that there is no such thing as a bad rough draft!