A2 y2 media language theory structuralism binary opposites
- 1. KEY CONCEPTS MEDIA LANGUAGE Structuralism & Binary Opposites (A2 Only)
- 2. Structuralism: 2 key ideas 1) All human organisation is determined by large social or psychological structures, independent of human will or intention. 2) Meanings can only be understood within these systematic structures
- 3. Structuralism So, to understand a media text, we have to understand the structure it exists within and the structures within it. In other words, media texts and the ideas and meanings present within them cannot be understood in isolation and therefore need to be put into context. As the audience, we use structures to interpret media texts.
- 4. Structuring oppositions Claude Levi-Strauss later emphasised the importance of Structuring Oppositions AKA Binary Oppositions in language. French Linguist Ferdinand De Saussure applied this to the way that language often produces meanings, by defining things in terms of being the opposite of something else: Black/White, Hot/Cold, Man/Woman, etc…Can you think of any other Binary Oppositions?
- 5. Using Binary Opposites Binary opposites are useful when analysing the content and themes of a media text to determine how they produce meaning. Watch the trailer for the film Titanic and write down the binary oppositions you observe. http://dai.ly/x1jxr6h Young/Old Upper Class/Lower Class Upper Deck/Lower Deck Past/Present Man/Woman American/European Heroes/Villains Freedom/Entrapment Day/Night Happiness/Distress Hair Colour?
- 6. MEDIA LANGUAGE STRUCTURALISM: BINARY OPPOSITES
- 7. Using Binary Opposites What binary opposites are used in the construction of meaning in this text?
- 8. Using Binary Opposites Watch the trailer for the film Straight Outta Compton and write down the binary oppositions you observe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsbWEF1Sju0
- 9. Using Binary Opposites TASK: Use these words to complete the paragraph below. CONTRAST / GREED / PRESENTED / RECOGNIZED / YOUNG / NOTICEABLE / CHARACTER / COMPARED A meaning is more easily ____________ and understood when ____________ in ____________ with its opposite. An elderly ____________’s frailty will be more apparent if presented with a ____________ person’s vigor. A villain’s ____________ is more ____________ when ____________ with the hero’s kindness. A meaning is more easily recognised and understood when presented in contrast with its opposite. An elderly character’s frailty will be more apparent if presented with a young person’s vigor. A villain’s greed is more noticeable when compared with the hero’s kindness.
- 10. STRUCTURALISM: CLAUDE LÉVI-STRAUSS - SUMMARY • Texts can best be understood through an examination of their underlying structure • Meaning is dependent upon (and produced through) pairs of oppositions • The way in which these binary oppositions are resolved can have particular ideological significance.