the blind side themes essay

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The Blind Side

Michael lewis.

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…

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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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The Blind Side

By michael lewis, the blind side themes, sports culture.

While the book is a chronicle of Micheal Oher's life, it also provides an in-depth look at the culture surrounding American football, critiquing how players are treated by coaches, scouts, and fans. While showing how Michael benefited from his athletic ability, Lewis also reveals some of the sport's problems relating to the recruitment process and team support. In particular, he shows how college coaches relentlessly pursue players after learning about their performance on the field, but often make little effort to make them feel at ease in the greater student population. Likewise, he shows how the athletes bring in a great deal of money to the universities where they play, but do not receive any form of payment—despite the fact that the time commitment of games and practices significantly cuts into their academics. Lewis acknowledges the way in which football changed Michael's life, but still has pointed observations about how the system does not seem to be designed to support its most important (and, in his view, vulnerable) individuals.

Family is another major theme of the book. Michael grows up in tumultuous and difficult circumstances. His father is not in the picture and his mother suffers from a serious drug addiction. As a young child, he spends most of his time alone, not receiving much in the way of attention, care or love. After he moves in with the Tuohys, he becomes a member of their family and is treated as a son by Leigh Anne and Sean, no different from their two other children, SJ and Collins. While some of the Tuohys' relatives balk at this decision, often in a way that Lewis plainly shows is inflected by racial prejudice, the Tuohys stand firm in their choice to welcome Michael into their lives. Michael begins to open up, particularly with Leigh Anne, and share more about himself than he had ever before. In a realistic manner, Lewis is able to effectively examine how the Tuohys become Michael's family of choice, providing him with a tenderness and support that he had not experienced before. In this way, he breaks down a more traditional idea of family being rooted in biological relationships and shows how it can be much more rooted in love and care.

While Michael's story is framed as an uplifting one, Lewis does not shy away from the painful realities of structural racism that inform it and so many others like it. In depicting the parallel world of Hurt Village, the housing project where Michael grew up, Lewis effectively portrays the rampant poverty and resulting segregation that plagues Memphis. Furthermore, by showing white southerners' complete lack of interaction with this world, he shows how these power structures remain in place, unchallenged or acknowledged by a massive segment of the population. Lewis also highlights this divide in the sections about college athletics, showing how rival fans would shout racial slurs at the players. In a similar, though more subdued manner, he also describes how many of the Black athletes at the University of Mississippi never really become a part of the social world of the white students. The book captures the way racism shaped Michael's life. While the book celebrates Michael's success, it does not avoid showing how the odds were stacked against him and how many other children were not given the same opportunity to escape poverty. Towards the end of the book, Leigh Anne sees a news story about a young former athlete who was horrifically murdered. She remarks to Sean that so many of the details of his life story completely overlap with Michael's. She expresses a desire to do more and help other underprivileged students of color. While her sentiment is kind, it also acknowledges the systemic nature of this racial divide.

Innovation of Roles in Football

Concurrently with Michael's story, the book charts the evolution of American football as a game, focusing particularly on the shifting importance of different positions. Lewis describes how the left tackle became a particularly important and well-paid position, as coaches scrambled to find a way to counter fearsome linebacker Lawrence Taylor . At the same time, Lewis underlines the thankless, invisible quality of this role. When writing about noted left tackle John Ayers , he highlights how Ayers' protection of quarterback Joe Montana was vital to the 49ers' success that season (and was duly appreciated by Montana and coach Bill Walsh ) but was essentially invisible to the viewers of the game. In this way, he shows how this shift was so meaningful to the strategic part of the game, but was not widely noticed by the game's audience.

Another major theme of the book is care and its complexity. Initially, Sean and Leigh Anne are charitable to Michael. Sean pays for Michael's meals from school and Leigh Anne takes him shopping for clothes. These acts of generosity are done at a distance. When the Tuohys adopt Michael, they treat him like a son. They show him love and kindness but are also honest with him when he falters in school or on the field. In this process, they also experience certain difficulties in getting him to open up. In a similar way, he momentarily questions the genuineness of their motivation when an NCAA investigation is opened up about the Tuohys potentially trying to act as "boosters" for the University of Mississippi, adopting Michael as a means of getting him to play for their alma mater. These moments reveal how much more complicated (and deep) these acts of care become when Michael becomes more enmeshed in their lives.

The Aftermath of Poverty and Trauma

When Michael moves in with the Tuohys, they are initially confused by some of his actions. They notice that he frequently avoids personal questions, always orders an extra meal, and is afraid of the doctor. What they learn subsequently is that many of these seemingly strange decisions are rooted in survival mechanisms he adopted during his difficult childhood. He, for instance, asked for additional food because previously he wanted to store meals in case his next meal was uncertain. The book hints at Michael's painful upbringing and in one of the final chapters gives the reader a sense of the scope of the shocking neglect he experienced from a young age. Lewis is able to demonstrate, with considerable nuance, the lingering impact that Michael's childhood had on his adult life.

Another major thematic thread in the book is fear. While Michael is almost never physically intimidated, the book details a number of instances in which he is frightened by the loss or injury of the people he cares about. The first of these instances occurs when he is in a car accident with SJ. When he speaks with Leigh Anne, he is in a complete panic, feeling wracked with guilt. A similar thing happens when Michael gets into a fight with one of his teammates over a remark the latter made about Leigh Anne and Collins. Michael inadvertently injures a young child and flees the scene in the aftermath. Michael's fear is revealing, in that all of his athletic strength does not shield him from worrying about losing the people he loves or breaking one of the unspoken rules of this world.

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

Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — The Blind Side — Analysis Of John Lee Hancock’s Film The Blind Side

Analysis of John Lee Hancock’s Film The Blind Side

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Published: May 14, 2021

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Overcoming Adversity: the Inspiring Story of “The Blind Side”

This essay about “The Blind Side” explores the profound narrative of resilience and hope depicted in the film. It into the transformative of Michael Oher, a young man who rises above adversity with the support of a compassionate family. Through the lens of Michael’s experiences, the essay illustrates the power of love, determination, and unwavering belief in oneself. It highlights how even in the face of daunting challenges and skepticism, Michael’s story serves as a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the possibility of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds. Ultimately, “The Blind Side” stands as a celebration of resilience and the universal truth that with compassion and perseverance, individuals can defy expectations and achieve greatness.

How it works

In the vast tapestry of tales that weave through the fabric of human existence, few narratives resonate as deeply as the saga of "The Blind Side." It is a story that transcends the ordinary, a testament to the extraordinary capacity of the human spirit to triumph over adversity and emerge victorious against all odds.

At its heart beats the story of Michael Oher, a soul forged in the crucible of hardship and shaped by the harsh realities of life on the fringes of society. Need a custom essay on the same topic? Give us your paper requirements, choose a writer and we’ll deliver the highest-quality essay! Order now

Born into a world where hope was a scarce commodity and dreams seemed like distant mirages, Michael's early years were a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity. Abandoned by those meant to protect him and left to navigate the treacherous waters of the streets alone, he was a solitary figure in a world that often seemed indifferent to his plight.

But fate, it seemed, had other plans. In a twist of serendipity, Michael crossed paths with Leigh Anne Tuohy, a woman whose heart was as big as her resolve was unyielding. Drawn together by the invisible threads of destiny, their encounter would set into motion a chain of events that would forever alter the course of Michael's life.

With Leigh Anne's unwavering support and the boundless love of her family, Michael found himself embraced by a warmth he had never known—a sanctuary amidst the chaos, a refuge from the storm. In their home, he discovered not only shelter and sustenance but also the nurturing embrace of a family who saw in him not a lost soul, but a beacon of untapped potential waiting to be unleashed.

It was within the hallowed halls of the Tuohy household that Michael's true journey began—a journey of self-discovery, of growth, and of transformation. Encouraged by Leigh Anne's relentless belief in his abilities, he dared to dream dreams he had long since buried beneath the weight of despair. And as he took to the football field, he discovered within himself a strength and a resilience he never knew he possessed—a testament to the indomitable spirit that burned within him, a fire that refused to be extinguished.

But Michael's path was not without its challenges. Faced with doubters and detractors at every turn, he grappled with the shadows of his past, the ghosts of his former life threatening to drag him back into the abyss. Yet, through sheer determination and an unwavering faith in himself, he pressed on, refusing to let his past define his future.

"The Blind Side" is more than just a story—it is a symphony of the human spirit, a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the unwavering belief in the potential of every individual to rise above their circumstances and achieve greatness. Through Michael's journey, we are reminded that no obstacle is insurmountable, no dream too far-fetched, as long as we have the courage to believe in ourselves and the tenacity to pursue our dreams with unwavering determination.

In the end, "The Blind Side" is a celebration of the human spirit—a reminder that, even in the darkest of times, there is always hope, always a chance for redemption. It is a story that speaks to the universal truth that, with love, determination, and the belief in the power of the human spirit, anything is possible.

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The Blind Side

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-2

Chapters 3-4

Chapters 5-6

Chapters 7-8

Chapters 9-10

Chapters 11–12

Key Figures

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

The Complexity of Forces and Motives

From the first chapter, Lewis shows that systemic change has identifiable turning points but is also a complex process that cannot be entirely broken down. Creative individuals who bring fresh insights or approaches can trigger small-scale changes. As those small-scale changes are more widely adopted, the momentum may snowball into systemic changes. The evolution of football strategy is an example of this, Lewis contends. It began with Bill Walsh devising a new kind of passing game that elevated the play of both mediocre and exemplary players. Lawrence Taylor threatened that new kind of play with his ferocity and passion, and Walsh’s system had to adapt to the new threat. Meanwhile, Taylor inspired other young players to follow his lead as Walsh inspired coaches to adopt his West Coast offense. As these changes gained momentum over time, a new need emerged: a left tackle who could meet the pass-rushing threat and allow the West Coast offense to flourish.

The convergence of changes that took place over some twenty-five years paved the way for Michael Oher to become a highly coveted player: He embodied the skills and talents offensive coaches coveted.

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Lewis applies a similar complex view to human motivation , partly by maintaining a reporter’s tone—occasionally wry but rarely expressing overt opinions, when it comes to unpacking motives. Lewis instead presents anecdotes heavy on description and exposition . For example, he describes the various ways Leigh Anne took control of Michael’s life but does not theorize about what motivated her, or impose meaning on her and Michael’s relationship. He does the same when describing the ways Sean helped Michael, from before the Tuohys adopted him through the aftermath of Michael’s fight with Antonio Turner, while an Ole Miss student. By presenting readers with the facts of Sean’s childhood and the way he achieved his success, Lewis implies Sean identified with Michael. By quoting Leigh Anne saying she believed money should be used charitably, Lewis implies helping Michael was an extension of her belief system. At the same time, Lewis leaves open the possibility that a complex interplay of forces created a bond between the Tuohys and Michael, and not all of those forces can be itemized into neat categories.

In social terms, Lewis sees Michael’s case as significant because the white community helped him succeed. Given the region’s racist past, and the persistence of it in the present, Lewis finds the help extended to Michael worth noting. He says members of the white community were “haunted” by Michael’s success, the implication being that his success showed whites that they could and should be doing more to support the growth and development of all members of their communities (261).

Nature vs. Nurture

In addition to exploring the external conditions that made Michael valuable (the increasing importance of the left tackle position), Lewis explores the ways nature and nurture factor into Michael's success. Physically, he was built to be a left tackle of the 21st century: he is huge, agile, and fast, has big hands, and carries his weight in his lower half. Personality-wise, his gentleness, protectiveness, and integrity suit an offensive player in a protective capacity and endear him to the Tuohys. They in turn help Michael nurture his talents. Lewis points out that Michael was not the first person to rise out of poverty, so the Tuohys’ way is not the only way it can be done. Nevertheless, they provide him with support—emotional, financial, academic, and sports-related—to ensure he does not drop out of high school and lose his chance as Zach did, or fall into crime, as Delvin did. When Michael fights with Antonio and accidentally injures a young child, Sean marshals his contacts to ensure a positive outcome for Michael.

The nature and nurture theme ties into Lewis’ acknowledgement of complexity throughout the book. Forces beyond Michael render his skills valuable. Many people help position him—Big Tony, Tom Lemming , the Tuohys—but Michael also possesses determination and a strong will that propels him to develop certain skills. He prepares himself to meet the opportunity presented to him, just as later, at Ole Miss, he goes to the gym to prove people right about his physical strength. 

Institutional Racism

In sociological terms, institutional racism is when institutions, political systems, and/or behavioral norms enable and/or promote racist thought and action. Lewis highlights institutional racism through the segregation of East and West Memphis as well as through racist assumptions, such as that poor black athletes will be angry and aggressive because of their difficult childhoods.

Institutional racism is also evident in Big Tony’s explanation to Michael and Steven that “what was a rule for white kids was an iron law for a black kid” (256). Its existence is also the reason Sean felt the need to present “a little speech” to Michael about “the unlikelihood” of police treating black people “graciously or even fairly” (235). Michael’s white family protects him from the injustice of institutional racism and gives him access to the system, but it does not solve the systemic problem. At the end of the book, Sean is aware that one important factor that made a difference in Michael’s life was access, and Sean wonders how much large-scale change could be enacted with equal access for all.  

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Nature Versus Nurture