Binary Oppositions

Claude Levi- Strauss

•       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 realised that words purely act as symbols for society's ideas and 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 a film trailers. 

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.

•       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.

                              

Horror: Fright Night

 Protagonist versus antagonist
 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.

 
History/war: Schindler’s List

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. 

                                       
Family/adventure: Finding Nemo

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

This film would appeal to an older audience, those who are interested in war/ western films. It could also appeal to a young audience.

 

Role Models
•       Binary oppositions in characters: Fun loving guy versus Serious pessimistic guy. The contrast in personalities of the main characters which are together throughout the film.
•       Young Poor Black Kid versus Middle Aged White Man, this is like a opposition in culture and class.
         

 


  P.S I love You

          Old life versus New Life: 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.

 


Dear John

        Love Versus War, 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.

 

Dawn of the Dead

       Human Versus Zombies- 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 throughout the film.