Claude Levi-Strauss is a French anthropologist, his theory was that the way we understand certain words doesn’t depend on the meaning it creates but more on our understanding of the difference between the word and its 'opposite' which is called 'binary oppositions'.
He realized that words purely act as symbols for society's ideas the meaning of words, therefore, he believed that they was a relationship between opposing ideas. Binary oppositions can be found in a range of media products such as in film trailers. He also believed that we make sense of what it’s not as much as what it is (I.e. cats and dogs, they’re not entirely different but their qualities are different).
Examples of Binary oppositions:
- GOOD VS EVIL: this is particularly shown in genres such as action and thrillers.
- DARK VS LIGHT: this is again shown in action/thriller/horror films and could also be seen as a signifier of the known and the unknown.
- PROTAGONIST VS ANTAGONIST: this too can be shown in action/thriller.
- PAST VS FUTURE: this can be shown in action and history.
- FEMININE VS MASCULINE: this is particularly seen in horror/ thriller films as females are generally seen as being victims and males are seen to be killers.
- AUTHORITY VS VIGILANTES: there is often conflict between the superhero and more typical authority figures.
- PUBLIC IMAGE VS PRIVATE IMAGE/ COVER V UNDERCOVER This is a feature of almost all superhero films, as most of the protagonists attempt to live an apparently normal life as well as one in which their identity is a mystery.
- FUTURISTIC VS OLD: both old and new technology feature in ‘Prometheus’.
- CRIME VS JUSTICE: superheroes take justice into their own hands and deal with criminals as they see fit. Their less conventional form of justice could create conflict between them and the police, as mentioned before.
Protagonist V Antagonist
Day V Night (chiaroscuro)
Men V Women
Good V Evil
As the protagonist is a student who is trying to protect society from the vampire , the audience can relate to the character. The film will be aimed at young adults who are students which will boost box office hits. There is also a binary opposition in men versus women because the man is the hero and the woman is the victim. And since it’s a thriller it has the typical oppositions of day and night and good and bad.
Thriller/mystery: The Sixth Sense
Natural V Supernatural
Life V Death
The main premise that this film is based upon, is the idea that there is a knowledge other who is helping the young boy overcome his problems with seeing dead people which is where the idea of there being an opposition with the living people and those who have already died. Then with that comes the idea of there being supernatural spirits haunting the natural environment. Thus the contrast between the living and the dead would be a great appeal for the audience.
Powerful V Weak
Rich V Poor
Good V Evil
This film would appeal to those who experienced or have lost a loved one in the World War II. The film is likely to be aimed at an older audience who can relate to the characters in the film. With the use of black and white it could represent a good versus evil opposition with its documentary or past event feel to it. And obviously the two other oppositions come from the conflict between Nazi’s and Jews.
Family/adventure: Finding Nemo
Good V Evil
This film would appeal to a young family audience. The film is adventurous and the audience may be able to relate to the characters by the child/parent relationship.
Western: Legends of the Fall
Love V War
This film would appeal to an older audience, those who are interested in war/ western films. It could also appeal to a young audience.
Comedy: Role Models
Fun loving guy V Serious pessimistic guy/ Love V Hate
Black V White: Young Poor Black Kid versus Middle Aged White Man
Adults V Children
The contrast in personality's of the main characters which are together through out the film. The opposition between the black and white people is like a opposition in culture and class.And the contrast between the two young kids and the two grown men gives the film a comedic element.
Romantic: P.S I Love You
Old life V New Life
Life V Death
Men V Women
In the film Holly and Gerry typical marriage, intensely in love, then Gerry unexpectedly dies and her life is changed completely and the film focuses on old compared to new throughout . There is also a difference between life and death because she has to carry on living whilst he’s dead and in addition to that that's where the opposition between men and women because the man dies and so the woman has to get over that and carry on with her life.
War/Rom: Dear John
Love V War
War V Civilization
John is in the military and this is an obstacle in the way of his love for savannah the film is based around how he has to choose war or love. There is also an opposition in war and civilization because whilst he is fully involved with the war effort she has to carry on regardless in society.
Horror: Dawn of the Dead
Human V Zombies/ Natural V Supernatural
Order V Chaos
This binary opposition is typical in horror films. Zombies not being human creates a fear element in the film as humans seem weak and vulnerable compared to them and often have to fight for survival through out the film. Initially it seems a peaceful town until the zombies come and destroy it accumulating in chaos.
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