45 pages • 1 hour read
Michael Without Apology
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Parts 6-7Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of illness and death.
Part 6: “Michael, Age Nineteen and a Half” - Part 7: “Michael, Age Twenty”
Part 6, Chapter 14 Summary: “When You Can Do That, You Will Have Arrived”
Mr. Dunning shows Michael’s documentary to the class. He then opens a discussion on Michael’s film. The students share their impressions, remarking on how much Michael’s film has changed how they see themselves. They also ask about Madeleine and how she’s doing.
After class, Michael and Mr. Dunning discuss the possibility of submitting Here I Am to film festivals. Dunning conveys how proud he is of Michael. This is the first time in his teaching career that he’s “ever suggested to any student that their work [i]s submission quality” (147).
That evening, Michael shares the news with Madeleine. He’s excited but hesitant to go through with submitting the film. Madeleine infers that Michael is afraid to do so because he doesn’t want her to die while he’s traveling for the film. She assures him that it’s okay; she’s counting on him to memorialize her before she passes away.
Part 6, Chapter 15 Summary: “It’s All About Exposure, in Just So Many Ways”
While waiting for Mr. Dunning at the student union, Michael texts Madeleine. They make arrangements to see each other that evening. Dunning arrives, and they discuss Michael’s submission process. Dunning offers to contact some friends in the industry to help Michael.
A week later, Michael receives a call from Jonah Levy at Netflix.
