Textual Analysis Essay Plan - (Narrative & Genre)

Textual analysis Essay Plan from D_owootomo

Thesis Statement for Textual Analysis

Harry Brown (released in 2009) and The Dark Knight (released in 2008) are two thriller films in which the narrative involves the protagonists take on the role of vigilantes; embarking on taking revenge for deaths they blame themselves for. Batman blames himself for the death of Rachel, who he has feelings for and Harry Brown blames himself for the death of his best friend Leonard. Through the motive of revenge Batman and Harry Brown end up cleaning up the mass criminal society around them, (Harry Brown with the South London council estate and Batman with Gotham city). As vigilantes Harry Brown and Batman end up committing morally wrong actions, but as the audience we never see them suffer for their actions, also through the long stride of violence Harry Brown and Batman follow and with the clear up of society, this shows that their wrong actions actually lead to positive results.

Harry Brown & The Dark Knight Key Scenes - (Textual Analysis)

 The Dark Knight Key Scenes

                                    

                                                           

Harry Brown Key Scenes

Harry's fear of the tunnel scene -

                                                                     Ending Scene -

Textual Analysis Conclusion

Looking at both The Dark Knight and Harry Brown, the protagonists of the film take up the role of vigilante. Through both the films narratives, we see the characters progression as vigilantes. The thriller genre is conveyed in the films through mystery and enigma codes as the audience follow the vigilantes on their journey and the suspense of the fate both Batman and Harry Brown will face.  In The Dark Knight and Harry Brown we see how through the seeking of revenge and redemption both vigilantes (Harry Brown and Batman) therefore clean up the criminal society around them. Harry Brown cleaning up the crime in the South London council estate and Batman cleaning up the crime in Gotham city. Although we as the audience see Harry Brown & Batman do morally wrong both protagonists escape punishment, this shows through narrative both films communicate that the protagonists are right through their actions. In Harry Brown we see Harry's equilibrium restored at the end of the film as the estate he lives in is no more infested with youth gang crime, but instead peace. Also the fact that he has avenged his best friend Leonard's death by killing all those involved restores his equilibrium as he no longer feels guilty for the death. In the Dark Knight we see Batman's equilibrium not restored as he does not avenge Rachel's death, and the Joker gets Harvey to join his side. Also we see Batman having to leave Gotham because he no longer feels he is a worthy leader.

Textual Analysis: Harry Brown vs The Dark Knight

Textual Analysis: Study of narrative & genre - The role of a vigilante.

Textual analysis Presentation from D_owootomo

V For Vendetta Propaganda Poster

This is my V for Vendetta propaganda poster in which I have used 7 key scenes to convey the message from the film 'stand up and be counted'. This task has helped me identify key scenes and the messages expressed through them.

Children of Men Key Scenes Themes & Messages Collage

This is the key scenes collage I have created, I believe these are the most significant scenes in Children of Men. By doing this collage I now can specifically identify key scenes from the film. All the key scenes communicate messages. The messages from the key scenes are (in order of pictures in the collage above):
War - The all out war at the end, combined with lots of mass media reports of war throughout the world shows the effects war has had in this futuristic world.
Oppression - The immigrants are kept in over crowded cells and are also beaten, this is very similar to the treatment of Jews in concentration camps.
Terrorism - The bomb set off in the first scene shows the regular terrorist attacks going on in this future dystopia England.
Sorrow - When Julian dies, Theo is very distraught. Sorrow is featured throughout the film with various disasters and deaths occurring and peoples reactions to them.
Human psyche - The news report at the start of the film reports on the youngest person in the world (18 years old) has died. Other events in the film like no child being born in 18 years also shows how people react to various situations.
Religion & Faith - When Theo finds out that Kee is pregnant and that she will be the first person to have a baby in 20 years, he regains his faith and agrees to help her. Religion is also featured as Kee being pregnant is a miracle, also the fact that Kee's pregnancy is unexpected and inconvenient making the pregnancy a religious allegory. This can arguably be compared with the story of Mary's pregnancy in the bible.
Violence - An armed gang shoot and kill Julian, and various times unjustified violence has been committed against people in the film.
Hope - Kee's new born baby signifies there is still hope for the world as know a baby has been born for the first time in 20 years.
Revolution - The group 'The Fishes', who the government say are terrorist kidnap Theo and tell him about their plans and how he is to help them, in which if they succeed will be revolutionary. They are also one of the few to stand up against the government in Children of Men. 

Dystopian Themes Collage

This is my dystopia themes collage, all the images used I believe are representative of dystopia themes in film. Also all the images relate to the 21st century world of today. Doing this task has enabled me to recognise the themes of dystopia in films as well as current on-goings in the world that are related to dystopia themes.