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Written by: Adrian Di Tosto

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1) Find a song that you think would make a fitting theme song for a film adaptation of the memoir. Explain your choice  

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1) Find a song that you think would make a fitting theme song for a film adaptation of the memoir. Explain your choice  

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Theo Fleury’s memoir Playing With Fire, would make a remarkable film adaptation as it would shed more light on Theo’s NHL career and struggle with addiction and coping with his childhood trauma. However, with any outstanding movie a soundtrack that clutches the reality of the character and events is mandatory. “Going Through Changes” by the notorious Eminem would make an adequate theme song for a film adaptation of Theo’s memoir. Before discussing the song itself, it's important to note the similarities between Theos and Eminem backstories. Both Eminem and Theo had difficult and abusive childhoods, and struggled with their addiction for drugs and alcohol as an upcoming star with a lot of potential riding on its back. Eminem is able to sympathize with Theo as some of their experiences and struggles are similar. The aspect of sympathizing between the artist and character assists in forming a better connection between the song and story. There are many themes in “Going Through Changes” that relate to the variation of themes found in Playing With Fire, however the most consistent theme in both the song and memoir is identity. “Going Through Changes” discusses the issue of portraying oneself as noble and calm, when on the inside Eminem is struggling with his inner thoughts and needs help. Theo demonstrates this mindset a numerous amount of times throughout his memoir as his past and current day problems come to haunt him.
“All the problems I was having in my marriage, plus carrying the team and the whole Graham James situation, were causing me a lot of anxiety. I was winging it. There were demons in my closet and when they were triggered I had to shut them up.” (Fleury 169)
Theo’s marriage problems, his career, and his abusive past with Graham James causes him major anxiety. However, Theo decides to hide his anxiety along with his problems from those who care about him the most and continues to act as if everything is well. “Going Through Changes” will no doubt make a fitting theme song as it will bring the reality of Theo’s story in a remarkable film adaptation.

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2) Find a piece of visual art that reminds you of the text. Explain the connection between them 

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2) Find a piece of visual art that reminds you of the text. Explain the connection between them 

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The drawing displayed was drawn by Jessica Murdoch and perfectly encapsulates Theo Fleury's emotion throughout his memoir, Playing With Fire. The drawing portrays a man smiling and acting joyful, while the visual displayed on the inside of his head displays a young boy crouched and crying. The meaning behind this drawing is similar to how Theo acts fine in public, while on the inside he is being tormented from his abusive childhood and is looking for help coping with his damaging past. Ever since Theo was a teen he has immensely suffered from the violation he received from his former hockey coach, Graham James. Theo was manipulated into believing that without Graham James’s help, he wouldn't be able to successfully make it in the NHL, this resulted in Theo being taken advantage of during his teenage years. “ Graham convinced me that, if not for him and his help, I would not be going to the NHL'' (Fleury 24). Despite Theo’s suffering, he pretends everything is okay and hides his pain from those closest to him. During the majority of Theo’s adulthood he continues to pretend as if everything is okay, despite him not being able to get his abusive moments with Graham James out of his head. Similar to how the person in the drawing is suffering from his childhood trauma, but instead of looking for help he fakes his emotions towards society. Theo faking his true feelings leads to the start of his substance abuse towards alcohol and drugs , which he chronically uses as a supplement to numb his pain and blank out his horrific childhood. The drawing represents a man suffering immensely from his past while trying to hide his pain through a fake and friendly smile. Similarly, Theo fakes his happiness as his childhood abuse taunts and horrifies him throughout his life.

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3) Provide a close analytical reading of a passage that you find particularly significant 

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3) Provide a close analytical reading of a passage that you find particularly significant 

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Theo Fleury’s memoir Playing With Fire depicts many of Theo’s significant experiences that occurred throughout his life. In Theo’s memoir his most significant experience that considerably contributed to his hero’s journey was stated at the lowest point in his life, Theo’s suicide attempt. “Well, that is where I was at two o’clock that morning. I was ready to jump. I grabbed the bullet, loaded the gun and jammed it in my mouth” (Fleury 282). Theo’s suicide attempt constitutes the lowest point in his life, as Theo’s pain and suffering ultimately overtakes his emotions and soul. Everything Theo has distressed about since his childhood, influences his lack of will to live. Theo is still heavily affected by the abuse he endured and the trauma he experienced through Graham James. Theo feels partially responsible for his abusive incidents as he believes he could have done more to stop the molestation. Theo lived the majority of his adulthood with this guilt and burden constantly scolding him. Adding on to Theo’s troubles, Theo was being pressured by the media into revisiting his childhood trauma and coming out to the public as one of the Teens Graham James molested with his upcoming trial. Moreover, Theo’s NHL career was spiraling out of control as many teams considered him to be a waste of potential and a bad influence on younger players due to his dependency on his alcohol, drug, and gambling addictions. Shortly after Theo’s final NHL game, Theo completely loses his will to obtain sobriety. Theo becomes more dependent towards his addictions and spends the majority of his days partying, drinking, and inhaling drugs. These actions contribute to Theo not only losing himself to his addictions, but was destroying the relationships he has formed with his friends and family. Theo himself realizes that it’s a problem that the only thing that makes life livable for himself, is his substance abuse for alcohol and drugs. Theo’s childhood abuse, wasteful legacy, and addictions are his struggles that ultimately influenced his suicide attempt.

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4) React to the memoir. What surprised you? Inspired you? Angered you? Humbled you?

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4) React to the memoir. What surprised you? Inspired you? Angered you? Humbled you?

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While reading Playing with Fire, I was overwhelmed with emotion as I discovered and read through Theo Fleury's high and low points throughout his life. During Theo’s memoir I was substantially surprised with his love and passion for hockey transfiguring into hate and displeasure. “I figured my career was over. Thank you very much. It has been a slice. I hate hockey” (Fleury 254). Theo’s changing perspective towards hockey was shocking as many times throughout his memoir, Theo thoroughly expresses his love towards hockey. For Theo hockey wasn’t just a game, hockey was portrayed as a diversion from all the bad that was happening in his life. As a teen, Theo played hockey as a distraction from his abusive moment with Graham James, and through the majority of his adulthood hockey represented the only sense of joy and excitement he received. Theo has conquered many athletic achievements throughout his professional career, however Theo winning gold during the 2002 winter Olympics profoundly inspired me. “Late in the third period Iggy scored an insurance goal and Sakic added one more after that. We won 5-2. The gold was ours” (Fleury 245). When it was announced that Theo would be joining the roster for team Canada during the 2002 winter Olympics, many people doubted Theo due to the recent media attention he was receiving. However, with all odds stacked up against him, Theo proved himself to the team and world through his outstanding performance that contributed to the overall win of the tournament. Theo motivated me to spare no effort despite the odds not being in my favor. Throughout Theo’s journey towards sobriety, there were many times where Theo would overlap and turn back to his addictions. “ I hopped into a cab and told him to take me to the nearest liquor store. He waited for me and I came out chugging Grey Goose (Fleury 267).

Theo continuing his addictions greatly angered me. While reading intensely through Theo’s struggles I sympathized for him and admired his journey, thus seeing Theo’s overlap enraged me as all I wanted was for Theo to obtain sobriety and live a healthy life. I was humbled through Theo’s courage to share his personal and sorrowful experiences throughout his memoir. Personally, I have attained more respect for Theo as if I were in his shoes I wouldn't have the heroism to share my personal experience. My reactions towards Theo’s memoir put a heavy toll on my emotions and differentiated how I portrayed Theo as a person and player.

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5) Record a video diary on flipgrid in which you provide a review of the memoir

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5) Record a video diary on flipgrid in which you provide a review of the memoir

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Uploaded to flipgrid

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BizzleJ. (2016, August 11). 89 Champs: Where are They Now: THEO FLEURY.
Retrieved February 12, 2021, from
https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/2016/8/11/12430040/89-stanley-
cup-champs-where-are-they-now-theo-fleury-calgary-flames

Flurry, Theo. Playing With Fire. HarperCollins, 2009

" Going Through Changes." YouTube, uploaded by EminemMusic, 23 July 2018,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6T_94qjp5g

Mario LEMIEUX, Joe sakic & THEO FLEURY - 2002: Team CANADA HOCKEY, team
CANADA, ice hockey. (n.d.). Retrieved February 12, 2021, from
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/500321839837072589/

Pin on artworks. (2021, February 09). Retrieved February 10, 2021, from
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/367254544619796562/

Playing with fire: The highest highs and lowest lows of Theo FLEU: Fleury,
Theoren, Mclellan Day, KIRSTIE: 9781554682409: Books. (n.d.). Retrieved
February 12, 2021, from https://www.amazon.ca/Playing-Fire-Highest-Hight
Lowest/dp/1554682401

Staff, B. (2019, September 11). Theo Fleury Shares emotional post to help raise
awareness for WORLD suicide PREVENTION day - article. Retrieved February
12, 2021, from https://www.bardown.com/theo-fleury-shares-emotional-post-
to-help-raise-awareness-for-world-suicide-prevention-day-1.1364068