Levi strauss’ theory of binary opposites
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Levi Strauss' theory of binary opposites proposes that narratives are driven by opposing forces, such as heroes and villains, that are in conflict until a resolution or balance is reached. Some examples of binary opposites include light and dark, good and evil, human and alien. Horror films often use binary opposites, like Paranormal Activity which contrasts the natural and supernatural as well as night and day, and Jennifer's Body which opposes good and evil between the main characters.
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Levi strauss’ theory of binary opposites
- 2. The Theory • The theory of binary opposites is that all narratives have to be driven forward by a conflict that was caused by a series of opposing forces, e.g. a hero and a villain, until finally a sort of balance between them, or a resolution is achieved
- 3. Examples of binary opposites • Light and dark • Right and wrong • Good and evil • Sanity and insanity • Human and alien • Youth and age • Strength and weakness • Honest and deceitful • Silence and noise In this image from Frankenstein, there are obvious binary opposites of light and dark and man and woman.
- 4. 1. Paranormal Activity: Paranormal Activity used binary opposites to show a clear difference between the natural and the supernatural. It also has the binary opposite of night and day, when the cameras are on in the day, and during the night. 2. Jennifer’s Body: This film’s main binary opposite is of good and evil, between Jennifer and her best friend Needy. However, there is also the binary opposite of right and wrong, as well as strength and weakness depending on whether Jennifer has eaten or not. Examples of horror films that use binary opposites