Postmodernism Seminar Notes- Godzilla (1954) vs Godzilla (1998)
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Seminar Notes: Godzilla (1954) vs Godzilla (1998) Maybe considered as “Pastiche” due to the Japanese version portraying Godzilla as a hero rather than the opposite in the U.S Appropriation- changing the status of the character hero/ enemy and also changing its meaning. The ironic idea of Godzilla at first in Japan, portrayed as a villain to the country until a newcomer arrives, making Godzilla into a hero in later series. In the U.S version of Godzilla, from their view anything new becomes a threat to them and must be eradicated. Parole- different views from both U.S and Japanese versions of Godzilla. Like US are afraid of new things, whereas in Japan Godzilla is hailed and worshipped as a hero and their country’s protector. (pretty much a metaphor?) Structuralism- the whole idea (like special attacks, anatomy, powers and adaptability) behind Godzilla. International style? On Japan’s version as Godzilla is their “utopian view of a protector, protecting for them from the worst”. A classic binary of Good vs. Evil in the US version, perhaps that the saying behind it is that anything new/different would be treated differently. Most of the audience are already adjusted to the structural thematic way – Good overcomes evil. Part of The Enlightenment? The ways of improving society, creating a perfect utopia Meta-Narratives/ Teleological? Based on the Japan’s nuclear war history, the sciences and the idea of creating a utopia. Ideology- Godzilla was originally an allegory on the effects of the hydrogen bomb.
Transcript of Postmodernism Seminar Notes- Godzilla (1954) vs Godzilla (1998)
Seminar Notes:
Godzilla (1954) vs Godzilla (1998)
Maybe considered as “Pastiche” due to the Japanese version portraying Godzilla as a hero rather than the opposite in the U.S
Appropriation- changing the status of the character hero/ enemy and also changing its meaning.
The ironic idea of Godzilla at first in Japan, portrayed as a villain to the country until a newcomer arrives, making Godzilla into a hero in later series.
In the U.S version of Godzilla, from their view anything new becomes a threat to them and must be eradicated.
Parole- different views from both U.S and Japanese versions of Godzilla. Like US are afraid of new things, whereas in Japan Godzilla is hailed and worshipped as a hero and their country’s protector. (pretty much a metaphor?)
Structuralism- the whole idea (like special attacks, anatomy, powers and adaptability) behind Godzilla.
International style? On Japan’s version as Godzilla is their “utopian view of a protector, protecting for them from the worst”.
A classic binary of Good vs. Evil in the US version, perhaps that the saying behind it is that anything new/different would be treated differently.
Most of the audience are already adjusted to the structural thematic way – Good overcomes evil.
Part of The Enlightenment? The ways of improving society, creating a perfect utopia Meta-Narratives/ Teleological? Based on the Japan’s nuclear war history, the sciences
and the idea of creating a utopia. Ideology- Godzilla was originally an allegory on the effects of the hydrogen bomb. Consumerism/Gaze theory- over Japan’s Godzilla films each has its own meaning that
reflects on the social and political climates in Japan.
