Humanities 445


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Portfolio I.E: Chocolat


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Directions: Considering our developmental paradigm discussed in class of the stages of ethical development, (Stage One: The Liar; Stage Two: The Conformist; Stage Three: The Scientist; Stage Four: The Mystic; Stage Five: The Servant), classify the following characters in the movie, Chocolat, and explain why (what characteristics cause you to) you place them in the category you do. (Give evidence.) They may change in the movie; say if they do, when and why.


  • Vianne Rocher



  • Comte de Reynaud: The mayor



  • Caroline Clairmont



  • The Priest (Pere Henri)



  • Roux (Johnny Depp)



  • Luc's grandmother



  • Luc Clairmont



  • Vianne's daughter: Anouk



  • Josephine Muscat (Vianne's friend)



  • Serge Muscat

Some things to consider:


  • Church (story begins here, central throughout, Vianne chastised for not going)

  • Lent…"the sacrament of marriage"…confession (Dog's soul?)

  • The Comte states his values: "hard work, modesty, self-discipline, family, tradition"

  • The Comte tries to influence/control whole town/make everyone go to church

  • Comte's attempt to transform Serge (from what to what?)

  • "I'm a mademoiselle, not a madame" and "…her illegitimate child"

  • Grandmother's diabetes/still eats chocolate

  • The spinning wheel

  • Metaphor of eating…and eating chocolate

  • She "knows" everyone's favorite: "I have a knack for guessing"

  • The color red surrounding Vianne/gray & black of village and villagers

  • The north wind

  • Dead birds

  • Ancient Mayan cacao and chili pepper "finds yearnings of soul"

  • The Comte's bacchanalian gluttony in the window

  • Pagan festival planned for Easter Sunday

  • Travelling from town to town that finally ends

  • Grandmother's birthday & Luc sneaks out: "don't worry so much about 'supposed to'…"

  • "Don't fuss, you'll ruin a perfectly decadent evening."

  • "Don't you ever think about belonging somewhere?"…. "the price is too high"

  • Caroline fixing bike for Luc

  • Comte's wife on permanent vacation

  • Shattering of Vianne's mother's urn

  • Villagers cooking chocolate for Vianne

  • Pere Henri's Easter Sunday sermon: "We can't measure goodness by what we don't do"

  • The statue

  • Pontoof(sp?)

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Copyright(c) 2002 by Karey Perkins / E-mail: karey1@charter.net