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In the history of mankind, the compilation of the Oxford English Dictionary can be described as a collection of strange people and wonders.
This iconic dictionary is not just a linguistic reference book, but a tome of human culture, history, and thought. Its birth was not without smooth sailing, but full of twists and turns and legends.
This monumental project began in 1857 and was initiated by Oxford University Press.
The original idea was to compile an exhaustive dictionary of the English language to document the development and vicissitudes of the English language.
However, the magnitude of the task is beyond imagination. Faced with the huge vocabulary and complex linguistic variations of the English language, compilers faced enormous challenges.
Scholars have spent decades collecting, organizing, and classifying English vocabulary, laying a solid foundation for the compilation of dictionaries.
Moreover, due to technical limitations, they can only rely on hand tools and traditional methods for compilation, which consumes a lot of time and energy.
In addition to the technical difficulties, various anecdotes arose during the compilation process.
It is said that in order to find out the usage and origin of words, the compilers once appealed to the public to provide the use of words and example sentences.
Such a call has aroused widespread concern in society, and many people have actively participated in the compilation of dictionaries.
The Oxford English Dictionary not only records the development of the English language, but also reflects the evolution of human culture and thought.
Its birth is a monument in the history of human civilization, which bears witness to the unremitting pursuit of knowledge and language by human beings, and also leaves behind the hard work and wisdom of countless compilers.
The film "The Professor and the Maniac" is based on this story, which deeply explores the relationship between knowledge, understanding and human nature. The professor and the madman in the story represent two very different trajectories of life, but they are reflected in the light of knowledge and understanding.
Through The Professor and the Maniac, we not only see the power of knowledge and understanding, but also feel the diversity and richness of human nature.
The dialogue and collision between the professor and the madman make us think about the true meaning of knowledge and the pursuit of truth and a better life for human beings.
Now, please follow me into the world of "The Professor and the Maniac" to explore the light of knowledge and the mysteries of human nature, so that we can gain spiritual enlightenment and growth in this cinematic journey.
Storyline reconstruction
The story takes place in England at the end of the 19th century. Professor James Murray was a professor at the University of Oxford who had the daunting task of compiling an Oxford English dictionary.
Professor Murray found that this task required the collection of a large number of words and quotations to ensure that the dictionary was comprehensive and accurate.
In the process, Professor Murray discovers a mysterious and surprising contributor named William Chester.
Chester is a psychopath who is incarcerated in a psychiatric hospital.
Despite this, he was one of the most active and important contributors to the work of lexicography.
With his vast knowledge and love of literature, Chester contributed greatly to the compilation of the dictionary by providing a large number of words and quotations.
Professor Murray was amazed and admired by Chester's contributions, and he decided to visit Chester in person at the psychiatric hospital and learn his story.
In his exchange with Chester, Professor Murray gradually learned about his tragic experience and unfortunate fate. Despite being behind bars, Chester's talent and intelligence still shine through.
As the plot develops, a special bond is developed between Professor Murray and Chester, who strives to fight for Chester's rights and respect, hoping to have his contributions included in the lexicon.
However, they face many difficulties and challenges, including prejudice against people with mental illness and a lack of understanding of society.
Eventually, Professor Murray and Chester overcame the odds and completed the compilation of the Oxford English Dictionary.
Their story became a legend in history, demonstrating the greatness of human ingenuity and courage.
Set against the backdrop of real historical events, The Professor and the Maniac reveals the political, cultural and social realities of 19th-century British society by telling the story between Professor Murray and Chester.
The film has a theme
The film mainly revolves around the compilation of the Oxford English Dictionary, emphasizing the importance of language and the inheritance of culture.
Through the process of compiling the dictionary, the linguistic changes and cultural evolution of different periods, regions and social groups are revealed.
This reflects the importance of language as a vehicle for cultural transmission and the dictionary as a witness to cultural history.
The close connection between knowledge and power is revealed in the film.
Compiling the Oxford English Dictionary is a vast intellectual project involving a great deal of academic research and expertise.
In this process, power plays a crucial role in defining and controlling the authority of the language.
At the same time, the compilation of dictionaries has also become a tool for power struggle, and different figures have disagreements and conflicts over the definition and standards of dictionaries.
The film explores the relationship between the individual and society through the life stories of Professor James Murray and the madman William Chester.
James Murray was a well-educated professor who lived out his ideals and ambitions by compiling a dictionary while also being respected and recognized by society.
William Chester, on the other hand, was a psychopath whose illness left him marginalized and neglected in society, but he made an important contribution to the compilation of the dictionary through his research.
Professor James Murray showed compassion and respect for William Chester after discovering his contributions.
Aware that William's research was an important part of lexicography, he insisted on including his contributions in the dictionary, which exemplified the value of compassion and respect for others in human nature.
The film also reflects a focus on mental health issues and social care. William Chester's story as a psychopath sheds light on the dilemmas and challenges of mental health issues in 19th-century society.
His discrimination and isolation reflect society's prejudice and neglect of people with mental illness, and also spark calls for social care and improved mental health services.
Filming techniques
The cinematography and scenography of the film are excellent, showing the British society at the end of the 19th century through sophisticated sets and carefully chosen camera angles.
From the stately buildings of Oxford University to the shadowy corridors of the mental hospital, every scene comes to life, presenting viewers with a world of history that comes to life.
The director uses a rich lens language in the film to convey emotions and messages.
Through different shots such as close-ups, long shots, and close-ups, the director guides the audience to the key points of the plot, deepening the audience's understanding of the emotional and psychological changes of the characters.
For example, when the protagonists, Professor Murray and Chester, meet in a psychiatric hospital, the camera shows Professor Murray's surprise and curiosity from Chester's point of view, enhancing the dramatic effect and the audience's sense of substitution.
Light and shadow effects play an important role in the film, adding atmosphere and emotional color to the scene.
At the tense moment of the plot, the director creates a tense atmosphere through the control of lighting and the use of shadows, which enhances the psychological pressure of the audience.
At the same time, the sunny scene brings a touch of warmth and hope to the plot, adding a bright color to the story.
The editing and pacing of the film is very tight, and through fast editing and smooth transitions, the storyline is tight and full of tension.
The director is good at using techniques such as cross-cutting and flashbacks to organically connect the plots of different timelines, making the story richer and more engaging.
The film's music and sound effects also add an emotional touch and atmosphere to the plot.
Through sad music and tense sound effects, the director enhances the audience's emotional resonance and engagement, making the audience more engaged in the story.
Especially at key moments, the use of music and sound effects makes the plot more tense and engaging.
The director's personal style and approach also had an important influence on the filmmaking.
The director uses multiple narrative structures and perspectives in the film, presenting the multifaceted and complex events through the perspectives of different characters, enhancing the layering and appreciation of the story.
"The Professor and the Maniac" presents a real and touching historical story to the audience through superb cinematography, rich lens language, precise lighting and shadow effects, tight editing and rhythm, sad music and sound effects, and the director's unique personal style.
The clever use of these filming techniques makes the film more engaging and enjoyable, and also enhances the expressiveness and emotional resonance of the story.
Cultural Background
The The Professor and the Maniac is set in late 19th-century England, a time of cultural, social and historical change.
It was against this cultural backdrop that England was the center of English-language culture in the late 19th century, and it was against this backdrop that the Oxford English Dictionary was compiled.
British culture and language underwent many changes and developments during this period, reflecting social, political, and economic changes.
The task of compiling a dictionary is not only to document the development and evolution of language, but also to reflect and record culture and society.
At the end of the 19th century, Britain was relatively backward in terms of understanding and treatment of psychiatry, and people with mental illness were often ostracized and discriminated against by society.
Psychiatric hospitals have become refuge for these patients, but they are also often places of captivity.
William Chester in the film is a patient who is incarcerated in a psychiatric hospital, and his fate reflects the attitude and treatment of mentally ill people in society at the time.
Britain at the end of the 19th century was a time of the rise of the intellectual class, and education was seen as a symbol of social status and wealth.
The film's protagonist, Professor James Murray, is a well-educated intellectual who is a professor at the University of Oxford and has been tasked with compiling an Oxford English dictionary.
Through his story, it reflects the social status and influence of the intellectual class at that time.
During this period, the development of science and technology brought great changes and development to society, and promoted social, economic and cultural progress.
The task of compiling a dictionary required a great deal of academic research and expertise, reflecting the state of science and technology of the time.
The end of the 19th century was a time of literary and artistic prosperity in England, with many writers, poets and artists emerging.
Literary works have a growing social, political and cultural impact and have become an important source of ideas and cultural values.
In the film, William Chester is a psychopath, but his love and study of literature and language became an important contribution to the lexicographer's work.
The Professors and the Madmen depict the social background of Britain in the late 19th century, which involves language and culture, psychiatry and social attitudes, education and intellectual class, scientific and technological progress, and literature and art.
These cultural backgrounds provide rich historical background and social connotations for the storyline and character creation of the film, making the film more realistic, vivid and realistic.
Film insights
The complexity of human nature is presented in the film, and the protagonists have their own strengths and weaknesses.
Professor Murray's persistence and integrity, as well as Chester's wisdom and madness, demonstrate the diversity of human nature.
This makes us think deeply that in real life, we often meet people with different personalities and backgrounds, and learning to tolerate and understand them, and respect the uniqueness of each person is an important prerequisite for building a harmonious society.
In the film, Professor Murray and Chester develop a special friendship and trust, working together to make an important contribution to the compilation of the dictionary.
This sense of camaraderie and dedication is touching and makes us think about how important it is for people to understand and support each other, and that only on the basis of solidarity and cooperation can we achieve common goals and dreams.
The film is set against the backdrop of real historical events and shows the cultural, educational, and technological developments of British society in the late 19th century.
Through this story, we realize that the humanity, morality and values behind the historical story also have important implications and guiding significance for our current life and society.