2. Agenda
Group Discussion
Searching for Sugar Man Discussion
Questions
Group work: lyrics
Lyric analysis
Introduction to In-class essay
Model theses statements
Homework
3. GET INTO GROUPS OF THREE AND SHARE YOUR
ANSWERS TO THE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.
IN TEN MINUTES WE WILL DISCUSS THEM
TOGETHER.
4. Discussion Questions
1. What were your initial reactions to this film?
2. Did this film change your view of musicians, of poets or
philosophers?
3. Why do you think Rodriguez didn’t “make it” in the early
70’s? Why was no one interested in listening to him?
4. How much should music companies (music labels and/or
media players) be allowed to profit from their musicians?
5. What do you think prompted Rodriguez to wear a tuxedo
on the construction sites where he worked?
5. Discussion Questions
6. What does it mean to be an artist, a true poetic and philosophical
artist, in today’s world?
7. Why was Rodriguez so insistent on taking his daughters to cultural
institutions, museums, and rooftops despite his social position as a blue-
collar worker?
8. Perhaps we view Rodriguez’s social position as poor and sad, but
could his position be the very thing that gave birth to his captivating and
poetic lyrics?
9. Is there a difference between music that is created for pleasure or
love, and music that is produced to sell?
10. Do you think Rodriguez’s story would have played out differently if
he’d been born to non-Latino parents, or if he’d been given a non-Latino
name?
6. Get back into your
groups; figure out the
meaning of the lyrics
to “This Is Not A Song
It's An Outburst: Or
The Establishment
Blues.”
In ten minutes we will
discuss the Lyrics
together.
7. THIS IS NOTASONG IT'SAN OUTBURST: OR
THE ESTABLISHMENT BLUES
• The mayor hides the crime rate
council woman hesitates
Public gets irate but forget the vote date
Weatherman complaining, predicted sun, it's raining
Everyone's protesting, boyfriend keeps suggesting
you're not like all of the rest
• Garbage ain't collected, women ain't protected
Politicians using, people they're abusing
The mafia's getting bigger, like pollution in the river
And you tell me that this is where it's at
8. • Woke up this morning with an ache in my head
I splashed on my clothes as I spilled out of bed
I opened the window to listen to the news
But all I heard was the Establishment's Blues.
• Gun sales are soaring, housewives find life boring
Divorce the only answer smoking causes cancer
This system's gonna fall soon, to an angry young
tune
And that's a concrete cold fact
9. • The pope digs population, freedom from taxation
Teeny Bops are uptight, drinking at a stoplight
Miniskirt is flirting I can't stop so I'm hurting
Spinster sells her hopeless chest
• Adultery plays the kitchen, bigot cops non-fiction
The little man gets shafted, sons and monies drafted
Living by a time piece, new war in the Far East
Can you pass the Rorschach test?
• It's a hassle it's an educated guess.
Well, frankly I couldn't care less.
10. Essay 4: In-class essay
Thursday, February 26th.
You need one of
these! Buy it at
the bookstore
11. Introduction to essay #4
• Using the documentary and a song from his
album Cold Fact, explain one significant element
of Rodriguez’s journey. Consider his talent and
power, the forces against him, his identity and
isolation, or his success as an undiscovered hero
for others. In other words, what did this film
show you about Rodriguez? About the
possibilities in life? About the world?
12. A. Introduction Paragraph:
1. HOOK
2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION/FILM SUMMARY about
Rodriguez. You might include album and documentary
titles or a brief reference to historical time period and
political backdrop of America and South Africa depending
on your thesis statement.
3. THESIS: A one or two sentence claim that reflects your
thinking; the thesis is the heart of your essay—central to
all your writing. The thesis is presented at the end of
your introduction paragraph. Look at the sample thesis
handout for inspiration.
13. B. PIE Paragraphs (2)
1. Point: first sentence in the paragraph, which connects
directly back to your thesis and makes one point that the
entire paragraph will focus on.
2. Information: specific and detailed examples from the film.
At least one quotation per paragraph from the song lyrics.
3. Explanation: explain how and why the quote supports
your point and thesis. Explain your ideas and feelings about
the quote. Look at details and explain why they are
significant to you and your thesis. You can also connect
your own life experiences to the quote, but remember to
also connect it back to the point and thesis.
14. C. Conclusion Paragraph:
1. Very Briefly (no more than three sentences) summarize the key
points of your argument—what you want your audience to
remember most about your essay. Then, as a reverse hook, look
at the larger scope implications of your essay. Ask yourself “so
what?” about your thesis, and situate your argument into greater
connections to society or your life. The very last sentence in your
essay (like the first one) should have emotional impact.
15. THE IN-CLASS ESSAY IS ON
THURSDAY 2/26/15.
PLEASE BUY A BLUE BOOK AT THE BOOKSTORE;
YOU WILL WRITE YOUR ESSAY DURING CLASS IN
THE BLUE BOOK.
THE IN-CLASS ESSAY CANNOT BE REVISED AND
MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE FINAL PORTFOLIO
DURING THE IN-CLASS ESSAY, YOU CAN USE AN
OUTLINE, YOUR DISCUSSION QUESTION NOTES,
AND A DICTIONARY, BUT YOU MUST WRITE THE
ESSAY DURING THE 2 HOURS OF CLASS TIME.
17. 1. Rodriguez was “too political” for mainstream popular music
in America, which is why he was popular in South Africa as
the voice of the outraged and silenced “banned” youth
culture.
1. Rodriguez was a “prophet” ahead of his time, which is why
he wasn’t a commercial success.
1. Rodriguez’s last name is a metaphor for the discrimination
he faced in America that prevented his success.
1. Rodriguez’s journey in Searching for Sugar Man shows that
his “failures” were actually his “success” and that
everything that happened to him was part of his destiny.
2. One of the major themes in Searching for Sugar Man is
rebirth. Rodriguez is a phoenix who rises from his ashes
and therefore teaches others to do the same
18. 6. The image of Rodriguez on a milk carton is a metaphor for
his whole career: lost, discovered, and ultimately found. Like
milk, his music does the body good.
7. When Rodriquez says “thanks for keeping me alive” the first
time he performs in South Africa, he speaks to the spirit that
his music kept alive for a world that he didn’t even know.
8. The theme of drugs in the album Cold Fact are a commentary
on both the destruction and the desire to escape that same
corruption in both America and South Africa in the 1970s.
9. Rodriguez’s album Cold Fact tells his personal truths, which
are actually universal truths for many. His story inspires
everyone to use their voice because you don’t know who is
listening and needs to hear what you say.
10. Rodriguez was a voice for people who didn’t have a voice
because he understood the experience of being silenced.
19. 11. Rodriguez’s career doing manual labor is a symbol for his
determination and humble nature.
12. Rodriguez’s song “Establishment Blues” shows the tone of
anger and images of corruption that he’s commenting on in
American society, which are still relevant today, 42 years
later.
11. Because Rodriguez grew up poor, he’s humble and generous
and resourceful.
11. Rodriguez’s talent is undeniable, but the combination of his
shy, humble nature and Mexican last name contributed to
him not being a successful rock star in America.
11. The main themes in Rodriguez’s album “Cold Fact” are love,
loss, truth and hope, which reflect his journey in life.
20. Homework
Write a brief summary of
the movie
Pick a thesis or two that
might work for you; think
about how you might
revise it to fit your
thoughts
Buy a Blue Book
