What is important and distinctive about works of literature is that that each has its own main theme or purpose. These themes are often created by establishing minor themes and motifs in the work that emphasize the main theme. Similar themes can even be created using drastically different techniques. This is also true in film. For example, the theme of the Outsider is present in several of Tim Burton’s films such as: Edward Scissorhands, Big Fish, and Alice in Wonderland. In Edward Scissorhands and Alice in Wonderland, the motif of physical difference is used to establish the Outsider. Big Fish, on the other hand uses the idea of liminal existence. Each of these motifs is created using different aesthetics. In order to establish these …show more content…
In this film Burton uses a combination of voice-over and lighting to establish a liminal existence in which Edward Bloom can only be found somewhere between myth and reality which casts him as an outsider. Before Edward’s face is ever seen, his voice is heard in the opening credits beginning with voice-over and switching to voice-off. By beginning the sequence with voice-over, Burton is setting up the motif of the story-teller. Commonly the story-teller is an observer rather than a participant in the tales he tells, but Edward is both the teller and the doer of these tales. This is shown when the voice-over changes into voice-off. The seamless transition between the two makes the change hard to notice, therefore, keeping this story-teller motif present. By casting Edward as the story-teller, he is also being depicted as the outsider because he exists both in the myths he tells and the world in which he tells them. So, in Edward’s reality, he exists in neither space but somewhere in between. The stories he tells are not entirely true, if it all, yet he cannot live fully in the physical world around him. This liminal existence causes him to be an
1.Who is the narrator of the story? How is he or she connected to the story ( main character, observer, minor character)?
Successively when this characteristic is identified the viewer is then able to acknowledge the story’s deeper meaning. Mirror reversals are not present from beginning to end of the film, but rather towards the end when Tim Burton ties together the aspects of the father and son’s relationship. Of all the examples of magical realism, the characteristic which enhances the utmost dramatic effect are the mirror reversals. The primary main character is Edward Bloom, from a litt... ...
Edward was raised in Ashland, a small town filled with average people. From the day he was born, Edward proved he was anything but ordinary, he was a big fish in a small pond. A citizen from Ashland said “-eventually he knew more than anybody, even Mr. Pinker, the librarian. He was a big fish, even then” (12).
is the use of motifs. A motif is a recurring theme that is used throughout the
Edward Scissorhands is an unfinished experiment that is afraid of the human race. Brought to the town by Peg, Edward is like a tool to the rest of the townspeople. They only accept him for what he can do and prejudice him as inhuman because of his hands. Edward is a caring person but, his wrong actions outweigh the good deeds that he has done in society. The color scheme of Edward compared to society is different, the townspeople all wear and decorate their houses with very vibrant and attention seeking colors (colorful houses, cars, clothing, hair, etc.). Edward, on the other hand, wears very dark and gloomy colors (full outfit is black, black hair, paler than the townspeople, etc.). As Edward becomes more used to society, he starts to wear human clothing like a white suit shirt and black pants but, never anything too bright like the townspeople. Edwards isolation and rejection from society makes it so that he is afraid of humans and how they will view him. When Edward went to jail, destroyed the plant sculptures, accidentally scratched up Kevin and, attacked Kevin, Society shunned him. They think he is a monster and forces him to become alone again. This change in character development proves that society never accepted Edward. The red the townspeople were wearing when Edward scratched up Kevin symbolizes how he is not human with his scissor hands, cursed to destroy
He is the narrator of the book. The story is told from his perspective (I-perspective).
...rves the way for the plot, the theme is the central idea around which a literary piece revolves. Without the theme the plot would be meaningless and there would be nothing for the readers to derive from the literary piece. Without the plot, the theme would be meaningless as there would be nowhere to consign the message the writer intends to give the reader. It can be said that the plot and theme are the two most important literary elements of a literary piece and are inter-dependant.
Theme is the underlying power beneath a story; the “force” that makes the whole experience worthwhile. Theme is “an idea or message that the writer wishes to convey” (Holt 874). A theme can be either stated or implied. A stated theme is a theme “that the other expresses directly in his work (protic.net); an implied theme is a theme “that is not directly stated in the work” (protic.net). As mentioned before, both of these stories have an implied theme, which now is revealed to mean that the author of the story insinuated it. Themes exist in all stories (verbal or written) and can be long, short, true or false. “Earth people will beat out any other intelligent life-form in any and all competitions” is a theme, but “good always beats evil” is one too. “Once upon a time . . .” stories have themes too, except they are more one-dimensional. For example,...
In the novel Big Fish by Daniel Wallace, we are told the story of Edward Bloom, a man of many adventures, who is somewhat of a myth. Big Fish is a collection of the tall tales Edward tells his son about his life, and also of the effect his tales had on his son. The novel comes from an American author from Alabama, while the movie comes from Hollywood and is directed by Tim Burton, who is also American. This story is not an ancient sacred text, so the story’s function(s) is to entertain and to make money.
... works can be considered as issues that they raise. An issue may involve a work's character in direct or indirect argument or opposition. This also includes issues that the character face. A well-defined theme gives a story a kind of focus, a center. A well-defined theme allows a writer to distill the ideas, to present them in a simple fashion, to tell the story whose effect will last longer than half an hour (Terry). A clear cut theme will have someone wanting to read your story and have them thinking about your words and thoughts for weeks. Finding the significance behind what happens in a story will give it dimension and resonance (Paola). The process of determining and describing the themes or ideas in stories is never complete. There is always another way to look at a story. It is all about how the reader conveys the message that the author is trying to relay.
protagonist throughout the book as well. Even earlier in the chapter, a reference to Edgar
The film Edward Scissorhands shows how society rejects people who are different. This film directed by Tim Burton is about a boy named Edward who lives in an empty mansion. The film shows a community that is quick to judge but slow to distinguish the qualities of Edward. The people in the community are selfish and expect to receive from Edward without giving but regardless of this there are still some who love and care for him. By viewing this film the audience recognises how important it is to give someone a chance to prove themselves before judging them.
...successful collaboration of sound, colour, camera positioning and lighting are instrumental in portraying these themes. The techniques used heighten the suspense, drama and mood of each scene and enhance the film in order to convey to the spectator the intended messages.
How the theme of the novel is developed and enhanced by plot, character and setting.
A motif is an element in a film that is repeated in a significant way. As discussed in Film Art, a viewer cannot follow a story, recognize emotional tenor of the scene, respond with their own emotions, or reflect on possible meanings until they notice certain things in the frame (p. 140). Since motifs