Media Narrative Theories And Character Representations

By Sadek Miah

American Beauty

Narrative theories

Roland Barthes and Claude Levi Strauss narrative theories apply to the opening of this film, already in the opening 3 minutes I have discovered a few enigma codes and binary oppositions, unfortunately as I am only supposed to analyse the opening and see what narrative theories apply to this film I couldn’t apply Chris Vogler, Tzvetan Todorov and Vladmir Propp’s Theories due to the set although from the opening you could say you are expecting a disruption on equilibrium and then a reordered equilibrium. The enigma codes I discovered were:

•The male character saying he’s going to die- it makes us want to know how he dies.

•What went wrong with the marriage

•Why the girl hates her father

The binary oppositions I found were

•Happy v unhappy

•Husband v wife

•Gay v Straight

Character representations

Carolyne – suit connotates that Carolyne is well educated, live a high profile life, suite denotates it’s a well fitted suit. Conversation with Jim; she seems happy etc. when the husband talks over them and explains how she used to be happy which shows her happiness being fake. Carloyne is channelling energy into flowers because she doesn’t spend time on their relationship, making gardening sheers and clogs match connotate her controlling nature and pre occupation with image. The first shot of Carolyne shows her cutting the flowers almost like cutting their relationship.

Jane – her room colour/layout connotes she’s a normal girl however her dress sense shows she’s insecure, there's juxtaposition with Carolyne and Jane, clothes, personality etc. opening scene of her talking about wishing on her fathers death shows she’s a handful and uncontrollable.

Terminator 2

Narrative TheoriesI could only apply Claude Levi – Strauss’ narrative theory to this opening; Domestic v Alien, peace v War, Humanity v Technology, Strong v Weak and Good v Evil.

It’s very easy to apply these binary oppositions to this type of film as you can easily see the conflict between the two groups. I also found an enigma code for the film which is “why are they at war” this relates to Roland Barthes’ narrative theory. It may be more clearer as the film goes on which can then allow you to apply other narrative theories.

Character RepresentationsIn the opening 3 minutes it isn’t yet established that there is a main character but there is a clear divide which is The humans: the good, the weak and the passionate against the strong, evil and war minded.

Lester - Feminine type of character you can tell this from his pyjamas, slippers, he lives a fairly boring life because his marriage isn’t working and jerking off in the shower being the highpoint of his day reinforces this. When Lester is peeking through the window saying how his wife used to be happy shows he is kind of obsessive because he’s almost looking upon her whatever she does. When wife is late and Lester drops suitcase and narrates how he thinks both his wife and daughter think he’s a loser, shows he’s not the usual bold male character. In side the car he’s sleeping whilst the wife is driving which reinforces his femininity because usually the roles are reversed.