After communicating with the teacher, I found that the topic selection was too large, which led to the unclear focus of the paper. Therefore, after careful consideration and leafing through the topics, I chose a specific film, Avatar, as the object of in-depth study.Here’s my latest research:

· A research question or title

From Science Fiction to Reality: Analyzing the Reflections of Contemporary Culture and Society in the Film Avatar1&2

· Keywords/key phrases

Avatar, Cultural Conflict, Indigenous Representation

· An Abstract 50-100 words

The Avatar series not only achieved significant technological breakthroughs but also reflects numerous real-world social and cultural issues through its narrative and character design. The story of the Na’vi in the film becomes an important vehicle for exploring these issues. This paper reviews the academic research on how Avatar reflects real-world social and cultural issues through the story of the Na’vi, focusing on aspects such as colonialism, indigenous culture, environmental protection, and cultural conflict.

· A structure indicating chapter headings and subheadings

• Title Page
• Page 1. – Abstract
• Page 2. – Contents
• Page 3. – Introduction
• Page 4. – Literature Review
• Page 4. – Chapter 1 – (Colonialism and Anti-Colonialism)
• Page 5. – Chapter 2 – (Indigenous Culture and Identity)
• Page 6. – Chapter 3 – (Cultural Conflict and Integration)
• Page 7. – Conclusion
• Page 8. – Bibliography

· Literature review

The exploitation of Pandora’s resources and the oppression of the Na ‘vi in Avatar clearly allude to colonialism in history. Many scholars have explored this point, arguing that the film critiques the expansion of colonialism and imperialism through this narrative structure. Eckstrand and Nathan (2014) pointed out that Avatar presents a typical colonial scenario, in which humans represent technologically advanced but morally bankrupt colonists, while the Na ‘vi represent the oppressed indigenous people. This plot structure reveals the cruelty and injustice of colonialism. At the same time, it further analyzes the anti-colonial elements in the film, and holds that the identity change and final stance of the protagonist Jake Sully reflects the identification of the indigenous culture and the negation of the colonialist behavior. But the author still thinks there is a subtle colonial message lurking beneath the film’s surface.

The culture, customs and relationship with nature of the Na ‘vi are depicted in detail in the film, and scholars believe that these depictions help to increase audiences’ awareness and respect for Aboriginal culture. Adamson, Joni. (2012) discuss how indigenous peoples and nations are mobilizing around the concept of a terrestrial organism that concentrates energy and life; Existence is defined as ecosystems, natural communities, species, and all other natural entities that exist as part of Mother Earth. Similarities between Na ‘vi culture and many indigenous cultures on Earth, such as reverence for nature, spiritual beliefs, and social organization.

Avatar explores the dialogue, conflict and fusion between different cultures through the cultural conflict between human and Na ‘vi. Meadows, Mark Stephen (2007) discuss how the process of creating and modifying characters, and what we do with them, affects the story, and that these conflicts lead to the emergence of new cultures. The cultural conflict in the film is not only superficial, but also the conflict of deep-seated values and lifestyles. The conflict and eventual fusion in the film is considered as a reflection on cultural exchange and conflict in the context of globalization. Jake Sully’s character symbolizes the possibility of cross-cultural understanding and integration, and the film conveys the possibility and importance of understanding, respect and integration.

To sum up, Avatar deeply reflects many social and cultural issues in the real world through the story of the Na ‘vi. Discussions on themes of colonialism and anti-colonialism, indigenous culture and identity, cultural conflict and integration not only enrich the narrative connotation of the film, but also provide the audience with an opportunity to reflect on real social issues. These academic studies demonstrate the profound impact and significance of Avatar on cultural and social issues.

This paper not only aggregates existing research, but also provides a framework for further academic discussion, demonstrating the additional layers of Avatar’s impact on cultural and social issues.

· A bibliography

• Eckstrand, Nathan. “Avatar and Colonialism.” Avatar and Philosophy: Learning to See (2014): 190-200.
• James, John, and Tom Ue. “‘I See You’: Colonial Narratives and the Act of Seeing in Avatar.” The Films of James Cameron: Critical Essays (2011): 186-99.
• Wicaksono, Yosua Tunas, Daniel Ginting, and FX Dono Sunardi. “Colonialism, Resistance, and Environmental Issues in James Cameron’s Avatar (2009).” INTERACTION: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa 10.1 (2023): 289-303.
• Adamson, Joni. “Indigenous literatures, multinaturalism, and Avatar: The emergence of indigenous cosmopolitics.” American Literary History 24.1 (2012): 143-162.
• Paliy, Anna. “The Spirituality of Nature: Indigenous Tradition in James Cameron’s Avatar and Western Mentality’s Failure to See Within.” Kino: the Western Undergraduate Film Studies Journal 3.1 (2012).
• Sherma, Amar Bahadur, Alok Lamsal, and Devi Prasad Pokharel. “Becoming an Ecological Citizen: The Concept of an Ecological Citizen in the movie Avatar.” International Journal of TESOL & Education 4.2 (2024): 62-77.
• Olivier, Bert. “AVATAR: Ecopolitics, technology, science, art and myth.” South African Journal of Art History 25.3 (2010): 1-16.
• Scola, Nancy. “Avatar politics: the social applications of Second Life.” (2007).
• Meadows, Mark Stephen. I, avatar: The culture and consequences of having a second life. New Riders, 2007.
• Fritz, Justin. “Environmentalism and the” Ecological Indian” in Avatar: A Visual Analysis.” The Arbutus Review (TAR) 3.1 (2012): 67-90.
• Erb, Cynthia. “A spiritual blockbuster: Avatar, environmentalism, and the new religions.” Journal of Film and Video 66.3 (2014): 3-17.
• Bergthaller, Hannes. “A sense of no-place: Avatar and the pitfalls of ecocentric identification.” European Journal of English Studies 16.2 (2012): 151-162.