The Walking Dead Close Reading Assignment # 2
Using the set of images (entitled “Images for Close Reading # 2) I’ve uploaded to The Walking Dead folder, please offer a close reading of each of them (like what you did with the front cover). In a Word document and using MLA style, write your observations to the questions below. Once complete, submit the Word document to the link in the appropriate folder.
Image 1
Rick meeting zombie bicycle girl: What kind of guy do you think Rick is? Look closely at his facial expressions. I want to point out that he doesn’t seem frightened even though this is a very scary encounter. What might be going through his mind?
Image 2
meeting Morgan and Duane: What kind of dad is Morgan? Look at their clothes and appearance. Why do you think Morgan goes through such effort to maintain this kind of appearance (not necessary for survival)?
Image 3
Rick returning to bicycle zombie girl: Looking at the first two images of Rick (and imagine not knowing anything about him), how does he look to you here? Would you trust him? Now, looking at the full page, why does Rick return here? Do we, the audience, agree with his decision? Explain.
Image 4
Suicide farm family: Focus on just the family. What’s happened here? How do you know? What kind of family is this? Now look closely. What’s really happened? (Look at the couch). What scenario do you imagine really happened? Remember, Rick’s family portrait doesn’t portray the reality of the family.
Image 5
—Rick arriving to camp: The family seems pretty happy to see Rick and Rick is extremely happy to see them. Now, look at Shane. Describe his emotions/thoughts as you scroll through the images on this page. Compare his smile, for example, with Rick’s upon seeing him (middle picture).
Image 5
—After the zombie attacks Donna: This image occurs right after Rick and Shane heard screaming from the camp. They both run back from hunting. What’s going on in Shane’s mind in each image?
Image 6
—Glenn looking for a map: This is when Rick has decided to return to Atlanta to look for guns. Look outside the window of Glenn’s car. Why is Lori so upset? And what’s Rick’s reaction to her being upset?
Image 7
—Shane and Lori in the rain: As you read through this page, keep in mind that Rick and Glenn are desperately trying to escape Atlanta safely. How is Shane feeling? How does he respond to Lori’s rejection? And why does he respond this way? What’s the … to which Shane is referring? Where was Carl during this time, do you think. What does that tell us about the kind of mother Lori is? Look to the opposite page of this one in your book; you should see a set of four images with a vulture picking at a corpse. How does that page correspond to this one with Shane and Lori? (Who is the vulture and who is the corpse, for example?)
Image 8
—Shane being shot: What’s going on here?! This happens very quickly. What does that suggest about Carl (and his maturity level). What is the audience meant to think Shane is going to do? But do you really believe he means to kill Rick? Remember, they’re best friends. Rick has probably tried to talk Shane out of similar situations in the past. Does Rick even seem scared? At this point, the audience doesn’t really like Shane so we quickly accept what happens here. But why should we slow down and not so quickly accept this? Who kills Shane? Why? How old is he? Shane doesn’t die immediately; he chokes on his own blood before dying yet the focus of our attention is on Rick and Carl. Why do we overlook Shane?
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