Structuralism – Claude Levi-Strauss (Blog Post 9)

Select TWO of the following clips and provide a paragraph EACH applying the Levi-Strauss theory of Structuralism to the clip. In each paragraph you must a) provide a sense of the purpose of the scene, b) provide a Structuralist interpretation of how meaning is created in the scene, and c) explain how one of the four potential functions of binary opposition (to clearly explain ideas, to create compelling narratives, to create identifiable character types, to create audience identification) specifically functions in the clip. Be sure to focus on specific elements of the clip, rather than the clip as a whole.

Spider-Man: Into The Spider verse:

a. Purpose of the scene was to show how Miles is just being introduced to what being Spider-Man is like.

b. The scene uses character opposition to develop meaning. Characters are shown to be very different from each others like Doc Ock attacking the surrounding characters while Miles and Peter are mostly trying to escape and not really fighting back. One group is trying to escape peacefully while the other is being aggressive. It establishes who is a villain and who are the heroes. Their is also a difference is character traits as Doc Ock and Peter seem to be more calm about the situation as they are experienced in conflict. Miles however seems freaked out and nervous as he is not used to the situation and is evident through how different he acts from those around him. 

c. The function of binary opposition that specifically functions in the clip is to create identifiable character types. We can clearly see who Peter B. Parker, Miles, and Doc Ock are due to their contrast with each other. peter and Miles are trying to escape from Doc Ock in a mostly tame way. Doc Ock is using violent methods in order to stop Miles and Peter who are our protagonist so she is easily put into a villain role which means Miles and Peter are put into the hero role. Miles is the further established as this is his first real confrontation with evil which contrasts Peter's years of experience. Miles is running away from the danger and has stiff movements. He seems nervous and out of his element. Peter seems relaxed even when captured as he has experience. His movement is a lot more fluid as he gets away and is in control even when it seems like he is not. Peter is established as a mentor while Miles is a newbie.

Shaolin Soccer:

a. Purpose of the scene was to show that the Shaolin team aren't what you would expect them to be from a surface level and are instead very skilled and should be rooted for. 

b. The scene uses character and narrative opposition to develop meaning. The scene builds the narrative that the shaolin team is not very good by having a professional team talk badly about them. They seem like they shouldn't even be there and don't fit the typical mold of a soccer player that the pro team has. Once the game starts the shaolin team actually scores instantly which you wouldn't expect due to what the pro team had to say. They aren't what they seem to be. We also know the shaolin team is highly skilled as they easily take down the pro team. The pro team doesn't stand a chance against the shaolin team which is satisfying as they were talking bad about them earlier. The viewer has sympathy for them and seeing them beat a high skilled team goes to show that the team is insanely good and makes you want to see them win more.

c. The function of binary opposition that specifically functions un the clip is to clearly explain an idea. The scene establishes a match between the a top ranked team and the Shaolin team. The top ranked team is used to point out the fact that the Shaolin team looks unfit for the game and must not be that good. However, once the game starts, the shaolin team instantly score which opposes what the viewer would've thought. They are then shown to demolish the top ranked team and have such powerful kicks that it blows the opposing players away. The viewer now understands that most see the team as a joke and nothing to be worried about but the truth is that their looks are deceiving and they are indeed very skilled.