Assignment: Ferris Bueller's Day Off

1. Compare to America, different generations in a family is likely to be seen in Taiwan. People in Taiwan think “family” always come first, which is different from America. Students in America tend to have more freedom because parents in America give their children more freedom than parents in Asia. Students in America have more entertainment than students in Taiwan, compare to the same age group; I think Americans would be more grown up than Asians.
2. Ferris: He didn’t change at all; he was still the same when the movie came to an end. When he was running home, he stopped and said hello to the two bikini girls, he showed that he was still “Bueller.”
Cameron: I think Cameron changed the most throughout the movie, he finally gets out of his bed and he stands up for himself and against his father.
Jeanie: Jeanie’s action toward the end of the movie surprised me, she stopped hating his brother and she saved him for the principle. She also met a guy when she was in the police station, I think that made her think that her life was starting to get interesting.
3. I think I am more like Ferris, I am not as popular as him but I have lots of friends and I also like to make fun of people and play tricks on people.
4. I am not sure who would I skip school with, but I would definitely skip school with people in the basketball team. I would get up at 12:00 in the morning and eat my lunch, after lunch I would go straight to UMC, which is an indoor basketball court in Science Park. I would play basketball with them till 5 p.m., and after playing basketball, I would go to FE21 and watch an awesome movie with them. This is my plan.

Richard,

I think that Ferris changed a bit because he knew that this was likely the last "day off" he would be able to have... but I think it was funny that he took time to stop during this climatic running home scene. I am terrible at basketball... I would probably beat you in 1 on 1 though hehe... jk. Sounds like a tiring day but probably a lot of fun for you.

Mr. Cho~

1. American suburban culture in 1980 was quite different from Taiwan culture in 2011. First, the personal freedom and consequences, students in America have more freedom than Taiwanese students. After they are teenagers, then their parents wouldn’t limit them too much things such as hanging out with friends. But, Taiwanese parents will always limit their children about their daily schedule until they become college students. For example, students should not hang out with friends too often, homework and grade are the most important things for a student’s life; and students shouldn’t go home too late.
Second, the family relationships, children often have great relationship with their parents in America. For example, Ferris Bueller has a great relationship with his parents; they care so much about him. But, in Taiwan, if children got sick, they may first blame children that not taking care of them well.
Third, the community setting, there are many events on streets in America. As you can see, when Ferris and his friends skipped the school to have fun, they passed a street with crowd that seemed to have a ceremony. But, Taiwan has a few event, most of the ceremonies are handing indoor.

2. After the car was broken, Ferris would like to stand out to protect his friend, Cameron, from being shouted or abused from Cameron’s father. He would like to tell the truth that is his idea of skipping school, going out to have fun, and enjoying their day off. At the beginning, Ferris planed so many things that he won’t be discovered that he wasn’t sick, and it was hard to know the truth for everyone.
Cameron learned to speak out and tell the truth. When he saw the car was broken, he decided to not cover it to his father, he wanted to take the responsibility and tell his father actively.
Jeanie was jealous about everything about her brother, Ferris Bueller, because everyone loves Ferris. However, after she talked to the druggy, she didn’t care about why everyone seems to love Ferris not her. Therefore, at the end, she also helped Ferris to cover the truth about he wasn’t sick to their teacher.

3. I more like Cameron. I don’t like Ferris’s way because he seems to feel everything is easy, wonderful, or perfect. For example, he bet and promised that they won’t be caught, and sometimes he was too exaggerative. Cameron was more reality. And, he didn’t want to break the rules and let his friend to take his father’s car. Although he didn’t successfully refuse Ferris to drive his dad’s car, he was worry and wanted to take care of this car. If I know that my dad care about this car so much, I won’t let anyone to drive this car because it is not my property. So, I don’t like Ferris forced Cameron do something that isn’t good or is dangerous for Cameron.


I will skip school with Pamela and Rachel because I’ve been a long time that didn’t go out with them. I miss the time that we went out for movies or shopping. So that, if I got the day off from skipping school, I would like to go shopping, watching movie, and having a great meal with them. We didn’t have many great meals with them before, so I would like to go to a great restaurant to enjoy our nig meal. That would be the perfect day for me, even though this schedule is so simple and common.

Caroline,

I was surprised that you liked Cameron more; I like your rationale. I absolutely love going to the movies! Sounds like a great time with your friends.

Mr. Cho~

American suburban culture in 1980 was almost different from Taiwan's in 2011. First, family relationships: Three generations live in the same house is very common in Taiwan, so people can have more contacts with other family members. Contrarily, people in America do not live with groups of family members in a house, they might not as familiar with their relatives as people in Taiwan.
Second, types of entertainment: Compare to Taiwanese and American people, American people have more activities at night than people in Taiwan. Going to clubs seems daily activity for majority teenagers in America, but there still many parents in Taiwan disagree their children go to clubs.
Third, the school setting: In Taiwan, only colleges provide cafeterias. Elementary, middle, and high school students eat their lunch in classrooms. Almost students in America go to cafeteria during lunch time.

Ferris never thinks that he skips classes and lie to his parents are wrong until the car is broken. He says he can tells Cameron's father that he breaks the car and tell everyone that he doesn't sick.
Carmeron is timid. He is easily to get nervous and worry things. He finally learns how to be brave and build up his confidence when the car is broken.
At the beginning, Jeanie is dislike her brother because his Ferris is more popular than her although he lies everyone. After she talks to the guy at the police station, she becomes less jealous and helps her brother to skip the class.

As a friend, I like Ferris more than Cameron because Cameron is too cowardly. He is always afraid of this and afraid of that. I think that I might waste much of my time to dispute with him.

I would like to skip school with Judy and Melissa because they are two crazy girls. I believe that I can have a lot of fun if I go with them. The main purpose to skip school is relax, so we will go shopping in a department store but do not buy anything. We can know which kind of clothes, bags, and shoes are popular now. We eat some cheap food in a restaurant in the department store. During this time, we can have lots of talks and take a rest. Finally, we go home before dinner. How a wonderful day it is!

Pamela,

Very good observations about the cultural difference between America and Taiwan! I also enjoy cheap street food. Sounds like a great time!

Mr. Cho~

Short Reponse Questions (Answer in 2-5 sentences)
1.) You have seen some activities or events that reflect the American culture in this movie. How is American suburban culture of the 1980's both similar and different to your cultural experiences in 2011 here in Taiwan? Pick three aspects from this list to focus on: family relationships, peer relationships, the school setting, community values, types entertainment and/or personal freedom and consequences.

During the 1980’s in American, parades were popular unlike 2011 in Taiwan.
If Taiwanese students skip classes, they would probably go to Internet-café or shopping malls.
Family relationships during the time in American are kind of different. Parents in Taiwan will basically take children to clinics or still send their children to school.
School setting from American is a lot different from Taiwan. Schools in America provided lockers and campus is basically the building. Most classes in Taiwan are taken in the homeroom and there are usually several buildings separated in a school.

2.) How did Ferris, Cameron and Jeanie all "come of age" or experience personal growth in this movie?

They are going to graduate soon. Cameron learned to stand up for himself and not to be afraid of things; he built his confidence. Ferris learned that if he didn’t take a break and look around his life, he would soon lose it because life passes really fast. Jeanie figured out that she has her own problem with jealousy but she still loves her brother.

3.) Are you more like Ferris or Cameron? Explain.

I personally like Ferris more because he has confidence on handling everything happens to him. It seems like he can achieve everything in his will. I especially like his astuteness for making the plan perfect.

"Maxwell's Day Off" Short Essay

If you were going to skip school with two of your best friends who would you skip school with? What would you do? Where would you go? What would be your perfect day? Keep it real kids... Ferris and his friends did not spend a ton of money, the film's story felt possible (you have budget of $2,000 NT). (Respond in 5-8 sentences)

If I am going to skip school, I would like to skip with Henry and Tiffany. We would like to have breakfasts in a café in Taipei and then linger at Taipei Main Station looking for stuffs. And then we would take the MRT to shopping malls and buy some things. Later on, we will go to a nice restaurant to have a perfect lunch. After lunch, bowling would be the best choice for us to have fun. Following that we would go buy a Coldstone ice cream and then head to Page One in 101. My perfect day does not have to be luxurious; having fun with my best friends would satisfy my day off school.

Maxwell,

Nice work. Thanks for your effort. I love bowling! Sounds like a fun day :)

Mr. Cho~