Recording-2025-03-02T14:58:44.413Z

Overview of The Big Sleep

• Conflicted Plot: The mystery plot of The Big Sleep is described as complicated and can often confuse viewers about the narrative details, especially regarding motives and character actions.

• Character Focus: Despite the plot's confusion, the main characters, Bhaghar and Ba'kal, draw viewer attention and highlight the central narrative, overshadowing the plot difficulties.

Narrative Structure Analysis by Gerald Mesat

• Context of Analysis: Mesat discusses narrative structure in relation to several of Howard Hawks's films, including To Have and Have Not and His Girl Friday.

• Literary Tradition: Mesat situates his analysis within a literary context, examining how narrative construction influences viewer expectations.

Construction of Narrative Action

• Coherent Shape: A good narrative organizes events into a cohesive and engaging structure rather than simply listing events.

• Paradox in Narrative:

  • Spontaneity vs. Expectation: Events should appear spontaneous yet must also contain foreshadowing, driving the surprise without crossing into predictability.

  • Example: In Shakespeare's King Lear, surprising events occur but stem from established character motivations, showcasing a blend of surprise and inevitability.

Paradox of Narrative Construction

• Synthesis of Randomness and Logic: Effective narratives merge seemingly random occurrences with fixed logical patterns, leading to unexpected yet logical outcomes.

• Critique of Narrative Quality:

  • Over-Contrived vs. Random Wandering: Narratives can appear contrived when too patterned or formless when lacking structure and coherence.

Hawks’s Four-Part Structure

• Structure Components: Hawks typically employs a consistent four-part structure in his films:

  1. Prologue: Establishes character relationships or initiates conflict through character interaction.

  2. Conflict Development: Central conflict is explored, highlighting different character approaches.

  3. Convergence: Characters either operate separately and then unite or continue to dominate the narrative alternately.

  4. Resolution: Conflicts are resolved, often returning to initial settings, providing new insights into characters.

• Epilogue: Sometimes includes a brief return to encapsulate the initial narrative context.

Alternative Narratives in Film

• Diverse Narrative Forms: Independent and foreign films sometimes deviate from classical narrative structures, offering alternate storytelling techniques.

• Example: Inside Llewyn Davis depicts a non-linear, fragmented narrative, challenging traditional storytelling.

• Questions to Explore in Non-Traditional Films:

  • How does the film organize its plot and narration?

  • What is the significance of the characters' apparent confusion or lack of direction?

  • How do disparate stories connect in films like Hiroshima Mon Amour, and what is their thematic relationship?

Conclusion

• Recognition of Classical Forms: Understanding classical narrative structures allows viewers to appreciate the rarity and intent behind diverse storytelling methods in cinema.