Traditional Narrative Structures in Pulp Fiction - Essay Example

? Pulp fiction Traditional narrative structures define the story and help the receipt to understand the message. The sender first encodes the message and sends it to the receipt through a channel. To get the meaning of the message the receipt decodes the message. This is to say that, narrative structure determines the way the story is told, not the story itself. Three stages define the traditional narrative structure also referred to as chronological stages (Klapproth, 2004). These stages are the explosion stage, epitasis also referred to as complications stage and lastly catastrophe that is the resolution stage and defines the resolution of a given problem in the narrative (Maan, 2010). Traditional narratives were passed from one generation to another through word of mouth that is orally. On the other hand, contemporary films are the modern films that are used to deliver given information on the receipt through televisions and DVD’s . Contemporary films include the multinational corporations film producers for instance Hollywood. With this, the essay examines how pulp fiction a postmodernist film uses linear traditional narrative structure to create and naturalize a certain myth. Traditional narrative structure consists of parts of a story and the order in which the reader unfolds the events in the story. As earlier stated the structure of the story consists of three parts, which clearly bring out the narrative. The structure of a traditional narrative depends on the genre of the story (Klapproth, 2004). For instance, in the digital narrative that is the contemporary film, the writer may decide to bring out a dramatic flashback first in the story before bringing out the initial events of the story. Contemporary films incorporate traditional narratives and improve the disposal of their stories. For instance, the writer provides links to the other parts of the story for the viewer to be able to determine the order of events (Maan, 2010). Every traditional narrative structure contains a plot and a resolution, which brings out the theme that the writer wanted to convey. The first part of any narrative brings out the characters in the story. In addition, in the first part of the story the main agenda or the problem in the story is also introduced to the readers. The second part of the story, which is epitasis, sets things into motion it is also referred to as the catalyst stage because at this stage the agenda is revealed to the readers. In this story, the major characters undergo major changes as a result of what is happening in the story this is referred to as character development (Maan, 2010). The third stage is the resolution stage, in this stage the characters in the story confront the problem and coming together hence leading to the end of the story. Research shows that, there are two main types of traditional narrative structures, which defines a story. The two types of structures include linear and non-linear narrative structures. In non-linear structure, the story does not precede in a straight line or systematically for instance introducing flashback in the beginning of a story (Maan, 2010). On the other hand, linear narratives are sequential that means they run smoothly. In linear narrative, the story starts and ends with a contrast hence bringing out the message to be passed to the receipt. In most cases, traditional narratives are organized in a chronological order. Recent research shows that, linear narratives consist of four sequences manipulation, competence, performance, and sanction. In the first stage manipulation, the contrast is established (Klapproth, 2004). With this information on the traditional narrative structure the essay analyses how pulp fiction film uses non-linear type narrative to break up chronological time and demonstrate traditional realms of art. In this film the writer shows how cultural and art is important in any given community. In this film, semiotic codes are used to show traditional narrative structures are used to naturalize a certain myth. These include old 40’s magazine, femme fatale, blood, smoking, stylish and desire (Radtke, 2007). They symbolize cheap magazines that went for the same name in the traditional sector. The designers of this magazine used the design of the old magazine including its price. The styles of images of the old publications were incorporated into the pulp fiction magazine (Penzler, 2007). The film analyzed in this essay is Pulp Fiction, which is an American crime film. The movie is known for its use of humor and non-linear story line (Radtke, 2007). The movie uses semiotics of the pop culture. Just to mention one of the cultures smoking of cigarettes especially by women is supported in the movie. The film is devoted in monologues and conversations, which bring out the perspective of life and sense of humor. The plot of the movie is presented in a chronological sequence. From its opening, it is presented in a self-referential form beginning with the title card. The extensive use of homage and pastiche make it a good example of postmodern film although it uses traditional narrative structure (Penzler, 2007). To maintain trademark of his movie the director of the film Quentin Tarantino uses non-linear story where the narrative is presented in a sequential manner. Each story focuses on different incidents but the writer connects them to portray the message in the story. The film starts with the characters holding a dinner the characters include pumpkin and Honey Bunny (Penzler, 2007). The story continues in the second part of the narrative where the characters in the film are revealed. The characters introduced include Vincent, Jules, and Butch. At the end of the film, the story goes back to where it started at the dinner table (Radtke, 2007). The film contains seven narrative sequences. The seven sequences are ordered in chronological order. The seven sequences are presented in a different point of view. The structural form is an episode presented in a circular form of event. The film contains the three stages, which are presented in every traditional narrative, which include explosion stage complications stage and catastrophe stage. As stated above the film starts with a dinner held up stage, which is the explosion stage. In this stage, the characters in the film are introduced in the film. In the second stage, which is the complication stage, the characters in the film are introduced to the audience. In this stage, the main agenda of the film is brought out for instance, crime, which is the main theme in this film, is introduced (Penzler, 2007). In the last stage, which is the catastrophe stage the characters in the film come together and look for ways on how to solve the problem, in the pulp fiction film the final stage the characters in the film come together in the dinner table. This shows how the problem is solved. The other semiotic symbol used is the femme fatale, which was portrayed by a woman-smoking cigarette in a certain pose. This was a norm especially in the old day’s magazines. In the olden days, smoking was not seen as an antisocial behavior. The Hollywood actors supported it positively. The pose in the movie symbolize film noir shown by how the female actor lies on the bed. This symbolizes brings out naturalization (Radtke, 2007). The gun on the bed symbolizes danger. In addition, visual clues in her face and the crossing of her legs show signs of danger. The colors used in the magazine with a bold title and a red background make the reader or the view think of blood. This is a semiotic code used in this analysis of the play pulp fiction (Penzler, 2007). The visual clues bring out the naturalization for instance the blood and the gun show signs of danger, which comes up naturally. When the readers see the gun and the cover of the film the red background what comes into their mind is danger even before viewing the movie. In conclusion, the essay below analysis pulp fiction film and shows how it brings out traditional narrative structure, to create and naturalize a certain myth. The use of semiotics brings out the naturalization. The non-linear structure shows the application of traditional narrative structure. The three stages are well illustrated in the film. In the first stage, the characters in the play are introduced. The second stage, the writer of the film clearly brings up the characters in the film. In the last stage the problem is solved and the characters come together to show how the problem is solved. As discussed in the essay semiotics are applied to bring out naturalization. References Klapproth, D. M. (2004). Narrative as social practice: Anglo-Western and Australian Aboriginal oral traditions. Berlin [u.a.: Mouton de Gruyter. Maan, A. K. (2010). Internarrative identity: Placing the self. Lanham, Md: University Press of America. Penzler, O. (2007). Pulp fiction: The crimefighters. London: Quercus. Radtke, S. (2007). Pulp Fiction - An Analysis of Storyline and Characters. Mu?nchen: GRIN Verlag GmbH. Read More