Week 2 Discussion 1C & 1D

Which of these was originally titled The World, the Flesh, and the Devil in 1940?"

• The Last Man in the World

• The Devil’s Playground

• The End of the World

Which iconic statue is mentioned in the film as a symbol of Ralph's internal struggle?

• • Abraham Lincoln Memorial

• • Statue of George Washington

• • Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

What is Ralph Burton's primary struggle throughout the film?

• • Finding food and shelter

• • Navigating his identity as a black man in a predominantly white world

• • Rebuilding society from scratch

What does Sarah's character represent in the context of Ralph's internal struggles?

• • The ideal of white womanhood

• • A symbol of rebellion against societal norms

• • A representation of traditional gender roles

What historical events surrounding the film's release influenced its narrative regarding race and gender?

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Which major studio originally purchased the rights to "The Purple Cloud" in 1927?

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What significant event in 1945 influenced Paramount's decision to revive the project for "The World, the Flesh and the Devil"?

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Which novel from 1901 served as the basis for "The World, the Flesh and the Devil"?

• The Purple Cloud

• The War of the Worlds

• The Invisible Man

Answer explanation

The 1901 novel on which the film was loosley based, The Purple Cloud, by Matthew Phipps Shiel, was purchased by a major studio in 1927. MacDougall called the novel "one of the first to concern itself with man's growing capacity to utterly destroy himself.

What was the significance of filming in New York City for "The World, the Flesh and the Devil"?

• To create a convincing portrayal of desolation and abandonment in a post-apocalyptic setting

• It allowed the cast and crew to capture striking images of a deserted city by starting early in the morning before the rush hour

• It was the only location available for filming

What was the reaction of some critics to the ending of "The World, the Flesh and the Devil"?

• They found the ending to be the most powerful part of the film

• They were indifferent to the ending

• They admired the production quality but criticized the ending and the handling of racial conflicts