Theme, Narrative, and Character in Film Studies

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to perform the following tasks:

• Understand key concepts of theme, narrative, story, and plot.

• Identify themes and explain how they are presented in films.

• Recognize plot structure, including the six key stages of a story.

• Differentiate between linear and non-linear narratives.

• Analyze characters based on their traits and role in the story.

Understanding Theme

• Definition of Film Theme: In film studies, a movie theme is the central message or idea that gives a film its meaning and direction. It unifies the storyline, guiding the plot and character development.

• Extraction of Themes: In film analysis, themes can be ‘extracted’ through various elements:

  • Narrative

  • Characters

  • Settings

  • Symbols

  • Conflict

  • Filmic techniques

• Categories of Theme:

  • Thematic Concept: The broad topic of the story.

  • Thematic Statement: A specific assertion regarding ‘what the story says about the topic.’

• Example Case: 'Inside Out':

  • Thematic Concept: Emotions.

  • Thematic Statement: ‘It’s okay to feel sad because emotions like sadness and joy work together to help us grow and connect with others.’

Process in Analyzing Themes

To analyze a story and identify its theme, one must integrate surface details, objective data, subjective information, and inferences. The process involves several steps:

1. Verifiable Observation: To uncover themes and meanings, start by making verifiable observations. These are details that can be pointed out and agreed upon by others.

   • Observation Case Study (Avengers: Endgame): To defeat Thanos, Ironman snapped his finger with the Infinity Gauntlet and killed himself in the process. This happened towards the end of the epic final battle scene. Everyone saw it and can verify it.

2. Creative Decisions: Question why these creative decisions were specifically made.

   • Analysis: This scene is important because it tells the audience that in life, sometimes you have to make certain sacrifices for the greater good.

3. Subjective Information: Identify personal thoughts and emotional reactions to the scene.

   • Reaction: The scene is not just about The Avenger’s victory over Thanos. It is also about the importance of sacrifice in life.

4. Inference Synthesis:

   • Surface details & objective data: Ironman sacrificed himself.

   • Subjective information & inferences: The thematic statement of Avengers: Endgame is: ‘In life, sometimes you must sacrifice your personal wants and needs for the greater good.’

Comparison of Thematic Concepts and Statements

Narrative Fundamentals

• Definition of Narrative: A narrative is a story made up of a chain of events linked by cause and effect occurring in time and space.

• The Problem with Randomness: A random string of events is hard to understand as a story.

• The Essence of Narrative: Causality, time, and space are the essence of a narrative. Audience members make sense of a narrative by identifying events and linking them by these three factors.

• Relationship to Theme: Narrative is one of the key elements essential for understanding themes.

Story VS Plot

The distinction between story and plot is fundamental in narrative studies.

• Story: Refers to the raw, chronological sequence of events that occur naturally. It encompasses the ‘what’ of the narrative.

• Plot: Refers to the structured arrangement of these events as presented by the narrator. It emphasizes causation and the ‘how’ of the narrative, often involving the manipulation of time and order.

Plot Structure: Freytag's Pyramid

The structure of a film depends on the organization of events in the plot. Plot consists of six specific elements:

1. Exposition: The beginning of the story where characters and setting are established. It provides background information.

2. Initial Incident (Inciting Incident): The very first conflict or the main problem that occurs in the plot.

3. Rising Action: A series of events (often three major events) that add suspense, tension, complications, or frustrations that build toward the climax.

4. Climax: The main point of the plot and the turning point for the protagonist. It is the most suspenseful part, intended to be the moment of highest interest and emotion.

5. Falling Action: Three events (or fewer) that unravel the conflict between the protagonist and antagonist. This represents the winding up of the story where events begin to resolve.

6. Resolution: The end of the story where the conflict is resolved and the audience discovers whether the protagonist achieves their goal. It can result in a happy or tragic ending.

7. Dnouement: Often associated with the resolution, this represents the ‘tying up of loose ends.’

Case Study: The Lion King Plot Points

1. Exposition: Pride Rock is a peaceful place where all animals live in harmony with Mufasa as the respected king and Simba as the heir to the throne. Meanwhile, Scar harbor's an evil plan to overthrow the King.

2. Initial Incident: Scar carries out his evil plan, resulting in Mufasa's death. Simba runs away due to guilt over his father's demise.

3. Rising Action: Simba gets his feet back on the ground with the assistance of his best friends, Timon and Pumba.

4. Climax: Simba reunites with Nala and discovers that Pride Rock has deteriorated since Scar became the King.

5. Falling Action: Simba returns to Pride Rock to reclaim his throne from Scar.

6. Resolution: Pride Rock becomes peaceful again as Simba is crowned the new King.

Three-Act Structure

Films are often structured into three distinct acts:

• Act 1: Set Up: Includes the exposition and plot point 1.

• Act 2: Confrontation: Includes rising action, plot point 2, and the crisis.

• Act 3: Resolution: Includes falling action and the final resolution.

Sequencing: Linear VS Non-linear Plot

• Linear Narrative: Follows a chronological order. It starts from the beginning and proceeds through events sequentially. This straightforward method is easy to follow and allows the audience to grasp the narrative easily.

  • Example: Disney’s The Lion King is delivered in a linear sequence following a chronologically ordered timeline.

• Non-linear Narrative: Presents events out of chronological order using specific techniques. Events may not follow a direct causal sequence, requiring the audience to piece the timeline together.

• Types of Non-linear Narratives:

  • Flashback: When a character takes the audience back in time from the current point in the story. (Examples: Saving Private Ryan, Fight Club).

  • Circular: A story that ends exactly where it began. (Examples: Saving Private Ryan, Fight Club).

  • Parallel: A story consisting of two or more separate narratives linked by a common character, event, or theme. (Examples: Pulp Fiction, Weapons).

  • Reverse: A story told backwards through time. (Examples: Memento, Irreversible).

Defining Characters

• Definition: A character is a fictional representation of a person, usually a psychologically realistic depiction. However, they may also adopt exaggerative traits.

• Identifiability: Characters are identifiable by their:

  • Actions

  • Words

  • Beliefs

  • Physical appearance

  • Gestures

  • Expressions

  • Names

  • Personalities

• Realistic Depiction: John Wick is a fictional representation of a former hitman. He is not a real person but remains psychologically realistic.

• Exaggerated Traits: John Wick possesses exaggerated or ‘overpowered’ fighting skills, such as the famous lore of him killing people with just a pencil. He remains believable because he lacks literal superpowers (like the Avengers).

Character Traits and Analysis

Basic Constituents of Character: External Traits

The acronym for external traits includes PA (Physical Attributes), PE (Physical Expressions), and DP (Diction and Paralinguistics).

Case Study: Tony Stark (Ironman) - External

• Physical Attributes (PA):

  • Appearance: Well-groomed, goatee beard, slicked-back hair.

  • Style: Designer suits or sharp casual wear.

  • Body Type: Lean and fit, not overly muscular.

  • Visual Symbol: The arc reactor on his chest is a key symbol of his identity.

• Physical Expressions (PE):

  • Posture: Relaxed and confident; rarely shows tension except under extreme stress.

  • Facial Expressions: Common smirks, raised eyebrows, and sarcastic eye rolls.

  • Movement: Walks with a swagger; purposeful but not aggressive movements.

• Diction & Paralinguistics (DP):

  • Diction: Witty, rich vocabulary, high frequency of tech jargon and sarcasm.

  • Tone: Confident, humorous, teasing, or ironic.

  • Paralinguistics: Speaks quickly when excited/panicked; uses dramatic pauses; switches to a lower, serious tone for emotional moments.

Basic Constituents of Character: Internal Traits

The acronym for internal traits is BIPER, standing for:

• Belief

• Identity

• Personality

• Emotions

• Relationship

Case Study: Tony Stark (Ironman) - Internal

• Beliefs: Initially believes in power, wealth, and control. Shifts to believing in accountability and protection after being kidnapped in Iron Man (2008). By Endgame, he believes that the greater good is worth personal sacrifice.

• Identity: Originally labeled as ‘Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.’ He becomes grounded in his identity as Iron Man, accepting the responsibilities involved.

• Personality: Charismatic, witty, and often arrogant. Uses humor/sarcasm to mask deeper issues. Matures from being self-centered and impulsive to a seasoned hero.

• Emotions: Struggles with guilt, fear, and insecurity. His arc involves a fear of failure. In Endgame, he displays vulnerability and love, specifically toward Pepper Potts and his daughter.

• Relationships:

  • Pepper Potts (Romantic)

  • His father (Strained)

  • Peter Parker (Mentor figure)

  • The Avengers / Captain America (Complicated; evolved after Civil War and Infinity War).