The Pursuit of Happyness

1. "The Pursuit of Happyness" is anchored to a very specific time and place, from the characters' constant use of buses and trains to a televised presidential address lamenting the state of the economy.

=> Where and when is the movie set?

• Dallas in 2004

• New York in 1990

• San Francisco in 1981

• Chicago in 1972

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

2. At the center of the film is the relationship between Chris Gardner (Will Smith) and his five-year-old son Christopher Jr. (Jaden Smith), a strong and loving bond despite the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.

=> How did young Jaden land the part?

• The director was impressed by his ease and charm in a cereal commercial.

• He is the son of Will Smith.

• The director, choosing between Jaden and one other child, decided that it would be good luck for both leads to have the same last name.

• He is the grandson of the real Chris Gardner.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

3. The title of the movie misspells the word "happiness," but this isn't the fault of the marketing department. Instead, the misspelling is a reference to a sign that appears several times in the film.

=> Where is the word "happyness" displayed?

• On a pamphlet posted all over the Gardners' neighborhood

• On a mural outside Christopher's daycare

• On a motivational sign by the brokerage elevator

• On an advertisement in the city buses

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.1

4. Chris Gardner, his wife Linda, and their son Christopher are living on the edge of financial disaster. She works two shifts, while he spends his days trying to sell the not-quite-revolutionary medical equipment that they'd invested their life savings in.

=> What type of equipment does Chris tote around the city, peddling to doctors and hospitals?

• Bone density scanners

• Blood oxygen monitors

• Portable MRI machines

• Ventilators

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

5. One bright day, Chris is strolling the streets of the Financial District, medical equipment in hand, when he gets the fateful idea to apply for an internship at the Dean Witter stock brokerage firm.

=> What inspires him to make this bold move?

• He sees a colorful, persuasive poster advertising the internship.

• Reading a brochure about Dean Witter's services, he thinks, "Hey, this is just sales. I can do that!"

• He overhears a conversation between two stockbrokers about their European vacation homes.

• He sees a stockbroker parking a luxurious red convertible.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3