Narrative

Narrative- Barthes Code

In today's lesson we went over the basics of the four theorists (Barthes, Levi-Strauss, Todorov, Propp) and they different theories that they created. As part of the lesson we were asked to pick our own movie opening and use Barthes Codes (Action, Enigma and Symbolism) to analyse it.

Barthes- Codes: Action (what people do)/ Symbolic (Connotations)/ Enigma(Mystery)
Levi-Strauss- Binary oppositions: Female-Male/ Good-Evil/ Black-White/ Rich-Poor
Todorov- Structure: What happens and the obstacles that have to be overcome, something disrupts normality and it must be returned to normal but character changes in some way.
Propp- Characters- supposed 8 types: 1. The Hero 2. The Villain 3. The Donor 4. The Dispatcher 5. False Hero 6. The Helper 7. The Princess 8. Her Father

The Prestige

Action
- Magic trick (Walking into electric field, falling into the glass cage, making the bird disappear)
-Magician dying in glass container
-Cage locking closed
-Taking bird out of cage
-Man talking to young female.
Enigma
-Why are there top hats strewn across the floor?
-Why did the cage lock?
-Did the stage hand murder the magician?
-What role does Nolan play in the plot?
Symbolism
-Top hats instantly represent magicians
-Top hats are representing a magicians graveyard
-Little girl represents the audience watching the movie as we get taught the basics of magic
-Suit makes the magician look rich and professional

Cowboy Bebop: Knockin on Heavens Door


Action
-Gang leader talking to cashier
-Fight scene
-Spike sleeping on sofa
-Spike eating doughnut
-Old women asking what the two protagonists are
Enigma
-Why is the gang robbing the store?
-Who are the two protagonists?
-Why did Spike say he did not care about the civilians but still saved them?
-What caused the gang leader to be laid off?
-Why are Spike and Jet bounty hunters?
Symbolism
-Who are the 'bad guys' in this scene
-Spike said that he did not care about the civilians but saved them anyway showing that there is still good in the world even if it is hidden.
-Convenience store in a Sci-Fi genre shows the unique blend of old vs new
-Spike does not kill anybody even though he is threatened showing mercy in what could be considered an unfair world as stores are being robbed.