T1 | Wk 4 | Friday - Character developmemt

 CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

Task:

You're developing a fully realised protagonist including:

• Backstory (not shown in film)

• Core internal conflict

• External conflict

• Character arc

• Symbolic elements (costume, colour palette, setting)

• Representation analysis (how might audiences interpret this character?)

  
  

  Link to the following theories:

  • Propp (if applicable)

  • Levi-Strauss binary oppositions

    Claude Lévi-Strauss’s theory of binary opposition posits that narratives are driven by pairs of opposing, contrasting elements (e.g., good/evil, human/monster) that construct meaning and create conflict. These, often stereotypical, character dichotomies—such as hero vs. villain, young vs. old, or male vs. female—help define character roles and deepen the plot. 
    Key Examples of Character Binary Oppositions:
    • Good vs. Evil: Hero vs. Villain (e.g., Harry Potter vs. Voldemort, Snow White vs. the Queen).
    • Human vs. Non-Human/Supernatural: Sarah Connor vs. The Terminator.
    • Rational vs. Irrational: Logical, calm characters vs. emotional or chaotic ones.
    • Modern vs. Traditional: Characters representing new ideas vs. old customs.
    • Active vs. Passive: Dominant/strong characters vs. weak/vulnerable ones (e.g., in film posters).
    • Gender/Age Stereotypes: Male/female, young/old, or knowledgeable/ignorant. 
    Function in Narrative:
    • Conflict Generation: The tension between opposing forces drives the story.
    • Meaning Creation: Characters are defined by their relationship to their opposite (e.g., "bravery" only holds meaning when contrasted with "cowardice").
    • Structure: These opposites, often derived from myths and legends, organize the narrative. 
    While traditionally rigid, modern applications of this theory often show more complex or blended, rather than purely opposing, character roles. 

  • Hall (encoding/decoding readings)