In today’s education environment, it is essential for educators to employ diverse methods and materials to ensure that students develop critical thinking skills and engage with the subject matter. One such opportunity for both engagement and learning can be found in exploring popular culture – specifically, through examining complex characters like Harley Quinn from the 2016 film, Suicide Squad.
Harley Quinn, a former psychiatrist turned anti-hero, offers students a chance to delve into character development from various angles. In this article, we outline key discussion points and teaching strategies to help educators create lessons centered on Harley Quinn from Suicide Squad.
1. Contextual Background
Before introducing Harley Quinn, it is crucial for students to gain a contextual understanding of the character’s origins and evolution. Educators should begin lessons with an exploration of the history of Harley Quinn, starting with her inception in Batman: The Animated Series in 1992, created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm. Discuss the character’s original relationship with the Joker and her subsequent growth as an individual character throughout various comic series, TV programs, and movies.
2. Character Traits, Motivations, and Milestones
Dive in-depth into Suicide Squad’s portrayal of Harley Quinn by analyzing her character traits and motivations throughout the film. Examine key moments in which growth or change might be evident in the character’s journey. Students can create charts or diagrams to showcase Harley Quinn’s strengths, weaknesses, ambitions, and moments of vulnerability.
3. Mental Health Awareness
Given that Harley Quinn’s origins lie in her role as a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum before becoming infatuated with the Joker, her story presents an opportunity to discuss mental health issues with students. Educators can use this context to prompt conversations around mental health awareness by addressing topics such as depression, anxiety disorders, addiction, toxic relationships, and codependency.
4. The Joker and Harley Quinn’s Relationship
Suicide Squad provides a unique depiction of the infamous relationship between Harley Quinn and the Joker. Analyze their relationship dynamics, and engage students in discussions about love versus obsession, power dynamics, emotional manipulation, and the impact of unhealthy relationships on individual identity.
5. Female Anti-Heroes in Popular Media
Harley Quinn is a prime example of a female anti-hero, which has become an increasingly popular archetype in film and television. Discuss the significance of female anti-heroes, touching upon their emergence in contemporary media and the importance of providing diverse representations of women. Encourage students to compare Harley Quinn to other female anti-heroes in popular culture.
6. Debate and Class Discussions
To encourage critical thinking, host debates or panel discussions around Harley Quinn’s morality, actions, and symbolism as a character. Address questions such as: Does the Suicide Squad version of Harley Quinn portray her as a hero or villain? Does Harley Quinn’s character have a positive or negative impact on gender representation in popular media?
Teaching Suicide Squad’s Harley Quinn provides numerous educational benefits by connecting pop culture with critical analysis. If crafted thoughtfully and carefully, lessons centered on Harley Quinn can lead to rich discussions that deepen students’ understanding of complex modern topics while honing their analytical skills.
