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Contextualizing The Matrix (1999)

This film analysis of The Matrix (1999) probes plot and character for theme and message. The student then applies the lens of the film to the world of 1999, identifying consumerism, technology, and the nation-state as real-life aspects of "the Matrix."
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This essay received a B by one of Kibin's paper graders. Click here to see what was done well and what needs improvement.

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This essay received a B by one of Kibin's paper graders. Click here to see what was done well and what needs improvement.

More essays like this:

matrix, thomas anderson, madness
Not sure what I'd do without @Kibin
- Alfredo Alvarez, student @ Miami University
Exactly what I needed.
- Jenna Kraig, student @ UCLA
Wow. Most helpful essay resource ever!
- Chris Stochs, student @ UC Berkeley

View other essays like this one:

Bridget's feedback:

"Your discussion of The Matrix--the film and the concept--is lively and thought-provoking. The writing itself is engaging and mechanically sound; a solid proofread would catch existing local errors. My main suggestion is to either cut or move the opening paragraphs. Instead, I recommend opening with reference to the text (The Matrix) so the reader is placed immediately in the discussion. You could then contextualize the film within "millennium madness" in a later section. Some of the plot summary could be streamlined (for example, a single sentence could tell us that Neo is a hacker, currently the subject of a paragraph; the "savior" dialogue evidence could be saved for your later discussion). Based on your style guide, make sure to check what qualifies a quotation for a block quote. Right now, some of the quotes seem on the short side, and the formatting makes them a little hard to read. My final comment is regarding an element that did not factor into the grading but would address applicability for a current audience. At the time of my commenting in 2020, several decades have passed since the film's release; more relevant to your thesis, a lot has happened in the areas you describe (technology, nation-state, consumerism). This essay could either be revamped as a piece contextualizing the film in the moment of its release (1999) or should be updated to reflect the developments since 1999--social media alone warrants discussion, particularly because it has the potential to further support your claims."

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