the blind side themes essay

The Blind Side

Michael lewis, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

At the heart of Michael Lewis’s book The Blind Side is a question: why would two rich parents, Sean Tuohy and Leigh Anne Tuohy , with two biological children of their own, adopt an impoverished inner-city teenager, Michael Oher , and lavish love and attention on him? Throughout the book, characters propose various cynical answers to this question: they suggest that the Tuohys are exploiting Michael for his football talents, or that they’re motivated by…

Left Tackle, Protection, and Shifting Strategy

In addition to telling the story of the life of Michael Oher , The Blind Side studies the history of professional football since the 1970s—an era during which many coaches and managers began to rethink the way the game was played. The book shows how Michael Oher’s spectacular success as a left tackle reflects some major changes in football strategy in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, which resulted in a much stronger emphasis on passing…

Football Industry and Culture

In addition to studying the life of Michael Oher and the recent history of football strategy, The Blind Side paints a picture of the football industry and football culture in the early 2000s. In Memphis, Tennessee—and, we’re led to believe, throughout the country—football is more than just a sport: it’s a billion-dollar industry and a huge part of millions of people’s lives, with its own unique culture and values. In particular, the book studies the…

Racism and Outsiderness

Throughout The Blind Side , Michael Oher is an outsider. Thanks to the persistence of a father figure, Big Tony , Michael becomes one of the only black students at Briarcrest Christian Academy. He’s also the biggest kid at Briarcrest by far, and he comes from an impoverished inner-city family. At school, he’s extremely shy and lonely, partly because he isn’t sure how to make friends with his wealthy white classmates, and partly because he…

The Blind Side Essay Movie Review

Released in 2009, The Blind Side is an American football movie based on a 2006 book of the same name. Despite mixed critical reviews, it was a commercial success. Below, you will find The Blind Side summary, as well as a movie analysis.

Introduction

The blind side: summary essay, the blind side: full plot summary, themes & elements developed in the movie.

The Blind Side is a movie produced in 2009 that focuses on the life of Michael Oher. Michael is a teenager who overcomes numerous challenges, such as homelessness and loneliness, to become one of the most reliable offensive linemen in the National Football League (NFL) of America (Lewis, 2009).

The movie was directed by John Lee Hancock and was based on the book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis. The movie stars Quinton Aaron as Michael Oher, Tim McGraw as Sean Touhy, Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Touhy, and Jae Head as S.J Touhy.

These characters shape the plot of the movie. Sean and Leigh Anne are foster parents to Michael, while S.J. is their only son who has good relations with Michael as his big brother. Before moving in with Sean and Leigh, Michael had lived in other foster homes, as well as on the streets (Lewis, 2009). This movie is quite thematic because the viewer experiences sad feelings for what Michael goes through and feelings of joy for Michael’s life transformation from solitude and misery to success and greatness.

The movie’s plot revolves around courage, communication, and American football. Michael Oher, played by Quinton Aaron, is a homeless black teenager with a troublesome life. Eventually, he is taken in by a well-off white couple, Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, played by Tim McGraw and Sandra Bullock. Together, the family goes through many challenges, teaching each other many moral lessons.

The main character in this movie is Michael, a seventeen-year-old black and homeless American teenager. He does not know his father, and his mother is a drug addict. He puts up at various foster homes. However, he escapes in several instances due to various reasons. Hopping between foster homes leaves Michael without much formal education or essential skills that can help him get a job (Lewis, 2009).

One of Michael’s foster parents tries to enroll him in Wingate Christian School despite his poor academic records. His athleticism and passion for football impress the football coach, who recommends his enrollment. Because of his huge stature and young age, Michael is nicknamed The Big Mike by his friends. While at Wingate Christian School, Michael becomes friends with S.J., the son of Leigh Anne, an interior designer, and Sean Touhy, a business guru (Scott, 2009).

One day while driving home, Anne notices Michael walking alone in the rain and decides to talk to him. On discovering that he intended to spend the night outside the school’s gym, she decides to take him home and spend the night. After that, Michael becomes part of that family amid negative criticism towards Anne from wealthy friends about making him part of her family.

Leigh Anne identifies as a caring person, as she goes ahead to seek legal rights to be Michael’s guardian, which gets approved (Scott, 2009). Although Michael starts slowly with the team due to his gracious and calm nature, Leigh Anne is always around during training sessions to motivate him (Lewis, 2009).

Michael impresses most college coaches with his ability on the pitch. However, Leigh Anne discovers that Michael’s GPA is below the required average of 2.5, which qualifies him for a college scholarship (Scott, 2009). Anne goes ahead to hire Michael, a tutor who works with other teachers and helps him attain an average of 2.52.

Michael receives scholarship offers from numerous colleges, but settles for the University of Mississippi, the alma mater of his foster parents. Michael sticks with his decision despite receiving numerous threats aimed at making him change his decision. It later emerges that Michael’s foster parents restrict anyone under their care from joining other colleges apart from the University of Mississippi (Lewis, 2009).

A confrontation ensues between Michael and Leigh Anne, and they disagree. As a result, Michael goes back to the projects where his mother lives. He reunites with old friends who make unpleasant remarks towards his foster parents. This makes Michael angry, and a fight ensues. Their cruelty forces him to run.

Leigh Anne searches for Michael in vain. He calls Michael, who agrees to meet and discuss a few things that made Michael uncomfortable (Lewis, 2009). During the meeting, Anne promises to support Michael’s decisions and allow him to talk to officers investigating his decision to join the University of Mississippi.

Michael moves back to his foster parents’ house and plans to join college get underway. The movie ends with Michael bidding farewell to his foster family. He focuses on his football career while in college and grows into an all-star left tackler (Scott, 2009). The end creates a feeling of joy, as one feels happy for the once poor, illiterate, and fat teenager who came from a broken home but managed to identify and fulfill his real potential despite all many challenges.

This movie identifies as a film that integrates various themes and elements. The fact that the movie develops out of a real-life story makes it an undeniable fairy tale.

It gives the viewer a touch of reality that human relations depend on. There are two important lessons about human relations brought out in this movie. First, it is important for human beings to reach out to the less fortunate in society. Michael is a teenager who has lost hope of fulfilling his dreams, but the family of Leigh Anne helps him identify and fulfill his potential (Lewis, 2009).

The second lesson is that people need to believe in their abilities and develop relations with people who believe in them. Leigh Anne believes that the decision to make Michael part of her family is right despite objections from friends. Michael has great potential, and Leigh’s family believes in his abilities, which is the reason they do all they can to ensure that he exploits them (Lewis, 2009).

For a keen viewer, the movie also develops the theme of love and family. The nature of life is such that people do not have a choice of who comprises their families. Some people are lucky enough to experience love from both parents and the joy of growing up in a complete family, while others are not that lucky.

However, from the movie, it is clear that these situations are not permanent because individuals can get these experiences from people they interact with in life (Scott, 2009). Michael came from a broken home that did not have a father, while the mother was not resourceful due to her drug addiction.

He lacked the life opportunities that his peers from bonded families had. However, he is able to feel the love of a family later in his teenage years after a white couple that already had two children adopts him. The love shown by others is often influential in how people develop perspectives about life (Lewis, 2009). The concept of family developed in this movie goes beyond nuclear families to include a social unit that shares common values, includes people who believe in each other, and who show love towards each other.

In the movie, challenges of poverty, racial discrimination, as well as drug and substance abuse are evident and well explored. Modern American society identifies as one that adores drugs and looks down upon people from poor backgrounds, as well as a society still incensed with the old habit of treating people based on the color of their skin (Scott, 2009).

This unfortunate reality has for long refused to die out of American culture. The treatment accorded to Michael’s foster parents when they go looking for him in the projects is unacceptable and one that modern parents would not want their children to grow up knowing. The comments made towards Leigh Anne during Michael’s adoption talks also clearly indicate various perceptions that American people still have towards each other.

Humor also develops a lot in this movie, as there are certain scenes that leave the viewer in stitches (Scott, 2009). One such scene is during one of the games when Michael, using his huge body, gives an opponent a block that clears him off the pitch. The scene gets funnier when the coach demands to know from Michael why he did such a thing to an opponent. Michael responded that he was trying to stop after the whistle but was on top speed.

Michael also said he carried the opponent to the bus because he felt the time was right for the player to leave the pitch. Numerous tackles, which prompted the referee to throw a flag as a warning, dominated Michael’s style of play in that game (Scott, 2009). Another element developed in the movie is sacrifice.

Michael’s foster family sacrifices to help him in a unique and inspiring way. They go out of their way to provide him shelter, food, clothing, education, and a career in football. The movie had a good reception across America, with critics giving positive remarks. The most notable remarks touched on the impressive role of Leigh Anne, played by Sandra Bullock (Lewis, 2009). The movie received many nominations and awards, including Academy Award, People’s Choice Awards, and Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards.

The main character in this movie is Michael, who puts up at various foster homes. However, he escapes due to various reasons. The fact that the movie develops out of a real-life story makes it an undeniable fairy tale.

This movie generates a sad feeling for what Michael goes through, as well as a feeling of joy for how his life turns into a success story. Themes and elements developed in the movie include humor, sacrifice, human relations, the importance of love and family, poverty, racial discrimination, as well as drug and substance abuse.

It is important for human beings to reach out to the less fortunate in society. Michael is a teenager who has lost hope of fulfilling his dreams, but the family of Leigh Anne helps him identify and fulfill his potential. It is also important for people to believe in their abilities and develop relations with people who believe in them. Leigh Anne believes that the decision to make Michael part of her family is right despite objections from friends. The movie had a good reception across America, with critics giving positive remarks.

Lewis, M. (2009). The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game (Movie Tie-In Edition) . New York: W. W. Norton.

Scott, A. (2009). Steamrolling over Life’s Obstacles with Family as Cheerleaders . Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/movies/20blindside.html?_r=0

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Bibliography

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The Blind Side

96 pages • 3 hours read

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Summary and Study Guide

The Blind Side tells the intersecting stories of Michael Oher (who, after the book’s timeline, went on to have a long career as an NFL left tackle) and how the NFL’s passing game evolved. Folded into these two stories is that of Tom Lemming , who became the first person to evaluate high school football players both independently and on a national scale. His player evaluations impacted college recruiting, shifting it from a regional to a national focus. This change enabled an under-the-radar player like Oher, who played for a small Evangelical Christian high school, to be noticed. 

Lewis begins the book by describing the 1985 play that ended the career of Washing Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann: New York Giants defender Lawrence Taylor sacked Theismann, breaking his leg in two places. Theismann’s regular left tackle was on the sidelines with an injury for that game, and the result was costly both for Theismann and the Redskins.

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The fast, aggressive play of Taylor, and defensive players who followed in his footsteps, transformed passing strategy and created the need for a left tackle with a unique physique and skill set. It took several years for talent evaluators to define these qualities and recognize the importance of left tackles, but by the 2000s, when Oher came on the scene, their value was well understood. Oher, in turn, became one of the most sought-after draft prospects.

Lewis weaves back and forth through time to tell Michael’s story. Lewis introduces Michael when he is 15 years old and temporarily staying with Tony (“Big Tony”) Henderson. Like Michael, Big Tony grew up in Hurt Village, one of Memphis, Tennessee’s most notorious housing projects. To fulfill his mother’s last wish, Big Tony takes his son to a Christian Evangelical school, Briarcrest, and brings Michael with him. Michael’s athletic abilities impress the school’s coaches. He becomes a student at the school, where he meets Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy , wealthy white Evangelical Christians whose children also attend Briarcrest. Leigh Anne grows close with Michael, and Michael moves in with the Tuohys. Michael slowly assimilates into the school environment, making friends and growing especially close the Tuohys’ children, Collins and Sean Junior. The Tuohys hire a tutor for Michael to ensure he maintains the grades he needs to play sports, and Leigh Anne educates him in the ways of white, upper-class Memphis.

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After football scout Lemming brings Michael to national attention, Michael is heavily recruited by almost all of the top college programs. Michael chooses to play at the University of Mississippi (“Ole Miss”), the Tuohys’ alma mater. The NCAA receives a complaint that the Tuohys compensated Michael with gifts to convince him to play at Old Miss and opens an investigation into the Tuohys’ motives. Michael is eventually cleared to play at the school, and the Tuohys ensure he will meet NCAA academic eligibility requirements. Michael plays as a freshman, which raises his profile with NFL recruiters. Though the Ole Miss team he plays on is not successful, Michael’s individual play impresses, and he receives accolades and awards.

At the end of a successful season for Michael, a teammate confronts him, making a lewd reference to Leigh Anne and her daughter, Collins, and Michael beats him up. When he realizes he accidentally injured a young child in the vicinity, he flees the scene. Lewis shifts focus to Michael’s mother, showing how she fell victim to a cycle of poverty and drugs. Shortly before Michael turned eight, Children’s Services removed him from her care and placed him in a foster home. He ran away three times, eventually ending up in a hospital for psychiatric evaluation. After he ran away from the hospital, authorities gave up looking for him. For the next five years, he was in and out of school for long stretches, though school authorities continued to pass him from grade to grade. His family was homeless for a time, and Michael camped out in the homes of a string of friends, including Big Tony. Lewis then returns to the moment where The Blind Side begins: with Michael arriving at Briarcrest. Lewis discusses Michael’s early challenges at the school, relating to the students and adapting to the school culture.

The final chapter returns to the day Michael ran away from the scene where he got in a fight with a teammate. Sean communicates with him by text while consulting with his various contacts at Ole Miss and devising a plan to keep the story low profile. Michael returns, and the situation is resolved with no lasting impact on Michael’s character or player profile. Lewis notes that Michael’s support network helped to ensure that the incident remained under the radar.

At the end of the book, applications from inner-city high school athletes flood Briarcrest, but the school is ambivalent about accepting students who are not academically prepared for the school’s curriculum. Sean offers to pay for tutoring, and Leigh Anne wants to start a foundation to help other athletes. Michael plays well in college, continuing to draw honors and attention. 

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Beyond the Field: Themes of Family and Belonging in “The Blind Side”

This essay about “The Blind Side” explores themes of family and belonging beyond the realm of football. It highlights how the narrative into the complexities of familial dynamics and the universal quest for a place to call home. Through the intertwining paths of Michael Oher and the Tuohy family, the essay examines the transformative power of compassion and empathy in bridging societal divides of race and class. It emphasizes the profound message of acceptance and belonging, portraying how individuals can find solace and recognition within the embrace of a supportive community. Ultimately, “The Blind Side” serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring bonds that unite us all as members of the human family, transcending the barriers that often fragment society.

How it works

In the vibrant mosaic of American football lore, where tales of on-field heroics often reign supreme, “The Blind Side” emerges as a beacon of storytelling that delves beyond the turf. Within the pages of Michael Lewis’s narrative masterpiece lies a profound exploration of familial dynamics and the unyielding quest for a place to call home that transcends the boundaries of mere sport.

Nestled within the heart of “The Blind Side” is the extraordinary odyssey of Michael Oher, a young African American navigating the tumultuous currents of life’s uncertainties.

Plucked from the tumult of his troubled past and thrust into the uncharted waters of foster care, Michael’s voyage takes an unforeseen turn when fate intertwines his path with Leigh Anne Tuohy, a spirited Southern matriarch whose compassion knows no bounds. In a serendipitous twist of destiny, Michael finds himself embraced by the warmth of the Tuohy family, where he discovers not only shelter but also a sense of belonging that had long eluded him.

At its essence, “The Blind Side” weaves a narrative tapestry that celebrates the essence of family—a bond not confined by the constraints of bloodline but forged through empathy, understanding, and unconditional love. The Tuohys, with their affluent privilege and Southern charm, stand as a testament to the transformative power of compassion, extending their arms to envelop Michael into the folds of their home and hearts.

Yet, beneath the surface of this familial embrace lies a deeper exploration of societal complexities, as “The Blind Side” casts a discerning eye on the intersections of race, class, and opportunity in contemporary America. Through Michael’s journey, Lewis unfurls the stark realities of systemic inequities, shedding light on the labyrinthine obstacles that obstruct the pathways to success for marginalized communities. In confronting the shadows of prejudice and privilege, “The Blind Side” beckons readers to reckon with uncomfortable truths, challenging them to confront the inherent biases that permeate the fabric of society.

Amidst the prevailing tumult, “The Blind Side” offers a glimmer of hope—a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of empathy to transcend barriers. Through the unwavering support of the Tuohy family, Michael embarks on a voyage of self-discovery, charting a course towards a future brimming with possibility and promise. In turn, the Tuohys undergo their own metamorphosis, expanding their definition of kinship to encompass Michael as an integral thread in the tapestry of their lives.

Moreover, “The Blind Side” speaks to the universal yearning for connection and belonging—a primal desire to find sanctuary within the embrace of a community that accepts and cherishes us for who we are. In Michael’s journey to carve out his identity amidst the cacophony of societal expectations, he discovers solace within the sanctuary of the Tuohy household—a place where he is not merely tolerated but celebrated as an equal member of the family.

In essence, “The Blind Side” transcends the realm of sports cinema to offer a poignant meditation on the themes of family and belonging. Through the prism of Michael Oher’s remarkable odyssey, the narrative illuminates the transformative power of human connection to bridge chasms of difference and foster empathy across divergent experiences. In a world often fractured by divisions, “The Blind Side” stands as a testament to the enduring bonds that unite us all as members of the human family—a testament to the indomitable spirit of resilience, compassion, and the unyielding pursuit of belonging.

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Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — The Blind Side — The Movie Review, the Blind Side

The Blind Side Movie Review and Analysis

• Categories: Movie Review The Blind Side

About this sample

Words: 714 |

Published: Sep 12, 2018

Words: 714 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Works Cited

• Hancock, J. L. (Director). (2009). The Blind Side [Film]. Warner Bros.
• Bullock, S., McGraw, T., Collins, L., & Head, J. (Actors). (2009). The Blind Side: The Real Story Behind the Movie [Documentary]. Warner Bros.
• Hall, L. (2010). Sociology on the Screen: The Blind Side. Teaching Sociology, 38(3), 203-209.
• Hooks, B. (1995). Killing Rage: Ending Racism. Henry Holt and Company.
• Johnson, C., & Clelland, J. (2012). Race and Social Class Issues in the Media Representation of the Adoptive Transracial Family. Journal of Family Issues, 33(1), 58-79.
• King, C. R. (2015). Non-Traditional Families: Adoption and Surrogacy. In Modern Families: Stories of Extraordinary Journeys to Kinship (pp. 41-74). ABC-CLIO.
• Kunzel, R. (2013). Struggling for Legitimacy: The Institutionalization of Adoption in Twentieth-Century America. Oxford University Press.
• Oher, M., & Yaeger, D. (2011). I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness, to The Blind Side, and Beyond. Gotham Books.
• Sanders, J. R., & Milan, S. (2016). The Blind Side: Considering Popular Culture as an Educational Tool. Youth Theatre Journal, 30(1), 40-55.
• Sanderson, K., & Cheyne, R. (2010). The Blind Side: An Examination of Stereotypes and Narratives in Sport Films. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 34(3), 336-361.

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The Blind Side

By michael lewis, the blind side literary elements.

Sports biography

Setting and Context

The book is set in Tennessee and Mississippi during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Narrator and Point of View

The book is told from a third-person point of view and alternates between Michael's story and the parallel narrative of the evolution of the left tackle position.

Tone and Mood

The tone of the book is sincere but incisive, showing sympathy for Michael and the Tuohys but treating football culture with skepticism. The mood is poignant.

Protagonist and Antagonist

Michael Oher is the protagonist of the story. There is no specified antagonist although Lewis frequently critiques the systemic racism that is deeply enmeshed in Southern society.

Major Conflict

The major conflict of the story is Michael's struggle to overcome his difficult upbringing and excel in football despite the pressures placed on him by its culture.

The climax of the book occurs when Michael gets into a fight with one of his teammates and accidentally injures a child in the process.

Foreshadowing

Michael's panicked reaction to S.J. being injured in a car accident foreshadows the later injury of a young child during the fight he has with Antonio.

Understatement

The book alludes to the Alfred Lord Tennyson poem "Charge of the Light Brigade" in a scene where Michael is studying.

Parallelism

There is parallelism between John Ayers' defense against Lawrence Taylor and Michael's eventual collision with Dwight Feeney, as they are both inheritors of Ayers and Taylor's styles of play.

Metonymy and Synecdoche

Personification.

The Blind Side Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Blind Side is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Study Guide for The Blind Side

The Blind Side study guide contains a biography of Michael Lewis, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Blind Side
• The Blind Side Summary
• Character List

Lesson Plan for The Blind Side

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to The Blind Side
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• The Blind Side Bibliography