Hidden Figures Movie Watching Notes Guide

Hidden Figures, a captivating biographical drama, tells the inspiring story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, three brilliant African-American women who played pivotal roles at NASA during the early years of the space race. This guide provides comprehensive notes to enhance your understanding and appreciation of the film, exploring its historical context, key themes, character analyses, and enduring impact.

Historical Context: The Space Race and the Civil Rights Movement

To fully appreciate Hidden Figures, it's essential to understand the historical backdrop against which the story unfolds: the Space Race and the Civil Rights Movement.

The Space Race: A Battle for Supremacy

The Space Race was a 20th-century competition between the United States and the Soviet Union for dominance in spaceflight capability. This rivalry, fueled by Cold War tensions, spurred rapid advancements in science, technology, and engineering.

• Sputnik and its impact: The launch of Sputnik 1 by the Soviet Union in 1957 sent shockwaves through the United States. It highlighted a perceived technological gap and ignited a national fervor to catch up and surpass Soviet achievements.
• NASA's Formation: In response to Sputnik, President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958. NASA was tasked with consolidating and coordinating US space exploration efforts.
• The Mercury Program: NASA's Project Mercury was the United States' first human spaceflight program. Its goal was to put an American astronaut into orbit around the Earth. This program heavily relied on complex calculations and data analysis, which is where the "human computers" like Katherine Johnson played a crucial role.
• The Stakes: The Space Race was more than just a competition of scientific prowess. It was a battle for ideological supremacy, with each nation striving to demonstrate the superiority of its political and economic system.

The Civil Rights Movement: A Fight for Equality

Simultaneously, the Civil Rights Movement was gaining momentum in the United States. African Americans were fighting for equal rights and an end to racial segregation and discrimination.

• Jim Crow Laws: Jim Crow laws, prevalent in the Southern states, enforced segregation in public facilities, schools, and transportation. These laws created a system of inequality that permeated all aspects of life for African Americans.
• The Fight for Integration: The Civil Rights Movement challenged these discriminatory laws through nonviolent protests, legal challenges, and civil disobedience. Key events included the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and the sit-in movement.
• Discrimination at NASA: Even at NASA, an institution dedicated to scientific progress, racial segregation was deeply entrenched. African-American employees faced separate restrooms, cafeterias, and limited opportunities for advancement.
• The Intersection: Hidden Figures beautifully illustrates the intersection of these two historical forces. The women's contributions to the Space Race were not only a triumph of intellect and skill but also a powerful statement against racial inequality.

Key Themes in Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures explores several important themes that resonate with audiences today.

Overcoming Adversity

The central theme of the film is the struggle to overcome adversity in the face of racial and gender discrimination. Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary face numerous obstacles in their careers at NASA, including:

• Segregation: The women are segregated from their white colleagues, forced to work in separate facilities and use separate restrooms.
• Limited Opportunities: They are denied opportunities for advancement and recognition, often overlooked for promotions and excluded from important meetings.
• Prejudice: They face prejudice and condescension from some of their colleagues, who underestimate their abilities and question their intelligence.

Despite these challenges, the women persevere, demonstrating resilience, determination, and unwavering belief in their own capabilities.

The Power of Education and Intellect

Hidden Figures celebrates the power of education and intellect as tools for empowerment and social change.

• Exceptional Skills: Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary possess exceptional mathematical and analytical skills that are crucial to NASA's success.
• Continuous Learning: They are committed to continuous learning and self-improvement, constantly seeking new knowledge and skills to advance their careers.
• Breaking Barriers: Their intellect and dedication allow them to break down barriers and challenge the prevailing stereotypes about women and African Americans in STEM fields.

The Importance of Collaboration and Mentorship

The film highlights the importance of collaboration and mentorship in achieving success.

• Support Network: The women support each other, providing encouragement, advice, and practical assistance.
• Mentorship: Dorothy Vaughan mentors younger women, teaching them valuable skills and helping them to advance their careers.
• Building Bridges: The film also shows examples of white colleagues who recognize the women's talents and advocate for their inclusion, demonstrating the power of allyship.

Challenging Gender Roles

Hidden Figures challenges traditional gender roles and expectations.

• Breaking Stereotypes: The women defy stereotypes about women's abilities in mathematics and engineering.
• Career Ambition: They are ambitious and driven, pursuing careers in fields that were traditionally dominated by men.
• Balancing Work and Family: The film also portrays the challenges of balancing work and family responsibilities, as the women juggle their demanding careers with their roles as wives and mothers.

Character Analysis

Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson)

Katherine Johnson is the central protagonist of Hidden Figures. She is a brilliant mathematician who is hired by NASA as a "computer" to verify calculations for the Mercury program.

• Exceptional Talent: Katherine possesses an exceptional talent for analytic geometry, which proves invaluable to NASA. Her ability to quickly and accurately solve complex equations helps to ensure the success of John Glenn's orbit around the Earth.
• Quiet Determination: She is a quiet and reserved woman, but she is also fiercely determined to succeed. She faces numerous obstacles due to her race and gender, but she never gives up on her goals.
• Breaking Barriers: Katherine breaks down barriers by demanding to be treated as an equal and by demonstrating her intellectual superiority. She earns the respect of her colleagues and becomes an indispensable member of the NASA team.
• Key Scenes:
  • Her initial assignment to the Space Task Group.
  • Her long walks to the colored restroom.
  • Her passionate explanation of her contributions to Al Harrison.
  • Her triumphant return to NASA after John Glenn's successful orbit.

Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer)

Dorothy Vaughan is the supervisor of the West Area Computing unit, a group of African-American female mathematicians.

• Leadership: Dorothy is a natural leader who is fiercely protective of her team. She recognizes the importance of adapting to new technologies and teaches herself and her colleagues how to program the IBM mainframe computer.
• Foresight: Dorothy possesses foresight and anticipates the changing needs of NASA. She prepares her team for the transition to electronic computing, ensuring their continued relevance and employment.
• Advocacy: She advocates for her team's advancement and recognition, fighting for equal pay and opportunities.
• Key Scenes:
  • Her efforts to secure a permanent supervisor position.
  • Her secret trips to the library to learn FORTRAN.
  • Her successful reprogramming of the IBM mainframe.
  • Her negotiation for equal status and pay for her team.

Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe)

Mary Jackson is an aspiring engineer who dreams of working on the design and construction of spacecraft.

• Ambitious: Mary is ambitious and determined to break down barriers in the field of engineering. She faces significant obstacles due to her race and gender, but she refuses to be deterred.
• Courageous: She challenges the status quo by petitioning the court to allow her to attend an all-white school to take the necessary engineering courses.
• Trailblazer: Mary becomes NASA's first African-American female engineer, paving the way for future generations of women and minorities in STEM.
• Key Scenes:
  • Her work in the wind tunnel.
  • Her discussion with her supervisor about becoming an engineer.
  • Her emotional plea to the judge to allow her to attend night school.
  • Her achievement of becoming NASA's first black female engineer.

Al Harrison (Kevin Costner)

Al Harrison is the director of the Space Task Group, Katherine Johnson's supervisor.

• Focus on Results: Harrison is initially portrayed as a pragmatic and demanding leader who is focused on achieving results.
• Changing Perspective: He gradually comes to recognize Katherine's talent and value, and he begins to challenge the discriminatory practices at NASA.
• Breaking Down Barriers: Harrison takes a stand against segregation by tearing down the "colored" restroom sign, symbolizing his commitment to equality.
• Allyship: While a fictionalized character, he represents the potential for white allies to support and advocate for their African-American colleagues.
• Key Scenes:
  • His frustration with the slow pace of calculations.
  • His confrontation with Katherine about her frequent absences.
  • His demolition of the segregated restroom sign.
  • His support for Katherine's inclusion in important meetings.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Hidden Figures is filled with memorable scenes and quotes that capture the essence of the story.

• The restroom scene: Al Harrison tearing down the "colored" restroom sign is a powerful symbol of desegregation and a turning point in Katherine's treatment at NASA.
• Katherine's outburst: Katherine's impassioned speech to Al Harrison about the challenges she faces as a black woman at NASA is a powerful and moving moment.
  • Quote: "Yes, they let women do some things at NASA, Mr. Harrison. And it's not because they have big brains between their ears, it's because they don't have the balls to complain. But I can't complain, because I don't have the right to. No, sir, I question your protocol, sir. Because I don't know why you can't treat a person with respect."
• Mary's courtroom plea: Mary Jackson's eloquent plea to the judge to allow her to attend night school is a testament to her determination and her belief in the power of education.
• Dorothy's leadership: Dorothy Vaughan's leadership in teaching her team how to program the IBM mainframe demonstrates her foresight and her commitment to empowering other women.
• John Glenn's trust in Katherine: John Glenn's request for Katherine Johnson to personally verify the calculations for his orbit underscores her exceptional talent and the trust that she earned from her colleagues.
  • Quote: "Get the girl to check the numbers."

Accuracy and Fictionalization

While Hidden Figures is based on a true story, it's important to note that some aspects of the film have been fictionalized for dramatic purposes.

• Compressed Timeline: The film compresses the timeline of events, portraying events that occurred over several years as happening within a shorter period.
• Composite Characters: Some characters in the film are composites of multiple individuals, and certain events have been embellished or altered for dramatic effect.
• Al Harrison's Character: The character of Al Harrison is a composite, and his actions, such as tearing down the restroom sign, were likely a combination of efforts by multiple individuals.
• Overall Accuracy: Despite these fictionalizations, the film accurately captures the essence of the story and the challenges faced by these remarkable women. The core historical events and the contributions of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson are portrayed accurately.

Enduring Impact and Legacy

Hidden Figures has had a significant impact on popular culture and has helped to raise awareness of the contributions of women and minorities in STEM fields.

• Increased Visibility: The film has brought the story of these unsung heroes to a wider audience, inspiring countless individuals to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
• Challenging Stereotypes: It challenges stereotypes about women and minorities in STEM, demonstrating that talent and intelligence are not limited by race or gender.
• Inspiring Future Generations: Hidden Figures has become a powerful symbol of hope and inspiration, encouraging future generations to break down barriers and pursue their dreams, regardless of the obstacles they may face.
• Educational Tool: The film has also become a valuable educational tool, used in classrooms and universities to teach about the Space Race, the Civil Rights Movement, and the contributions of women and minorities in STEM.

Discussion Questions

• How did the Space Race and the Civil Rights Movement intersect in the lives of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson?
• What obstacles did these women face due to their race and gender?
• How did they overcome these obstacles?
• What lessons can we learn from their story?
• How does Hidden Figures challenge traditional gender roles and expectations?
• What is the significance of the title Hidden Figures?
• How has the film impacted popular culture and raised awareness of the contributions of women and minorities in STEM?
• What are some examples of allyship in the film?
• How can we promote diversity and inclusion in STEM fields today?
• What are the ethical considerations of using human "computers" for complex calculations?

Further Exploration

• Book: Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly
• Documentaries: Explore documentaries about NASA, the Space Race, and the Civil Rights Movement to gain a deeper understanding of the historical context.
• Articles and Websites: Research the lives and careers of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson through online articles and biographical websites.
• STEM Organizations: Learn about organizations that promote diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, such as the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).

By exploring these resources, you can further enhance your understanding and appreciation of Hidden Figures and its enduring legacy. The film serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance, education, and the fight for equality. It celebrates the contributions of these remarkable women and inspires us to strive for a more just and equitable world.