Analyse how the concept of narrative can be applied to a media product that you have studied
Use examples to support your answer (12 Marks)
Media Product: Dark Knight
In the opening of the Dark Knight film, the first shot presented to the audience is an establishing
shot that builds up tension with its zoom into the building which displays a peaceful city that is
suddenly disrupted by the glass shattering. After the short equilibrium, disruption occurs in which a
visual metaphor is created as the shattered glass represents the whole city being taken over by
chaos and invading the life of the ordinary. The disruption is driven further with continued match
cuts of action with the bank robbers which heightens the tension. The match cuts build to the final
depersonalised shot of a mysterious figure whom we don’t know. The figure represents the
ostracised and nihilistic nature of the Joker and that he hides behind a series of masks to protect his
true identity, here there is a parallel between Propp’s character types of hero and villain as both
Batman and Joker hide behind masks to protect their fragile egos.
During the action of the robbers breaking into the bank, perspective shots are used to make the
audience fell like they are a part of the heist, anxiety is built as the director uses dissembled voices
for the robbers which is concerning and strange for the audience. When the robbers burst into the
bank a 180 degrees flip is used to flip between the actions of the robbers to the actions of a hostage,
this moment is very chaotic, confusing the brain which is Joker’s main goal for Gotham which could
cause sickness. The conflict between the banker and the robbers’ aid Levi Strauss’s binary opposites
of sanity vs insanity as the banker is portrayed through a low angle with light on him, dressed in a
power suit to represent law and order but also the ordinary people in society vs the robbers who
show a lack of empathy of killing who find it amusing and curious to look at dead bodies. The key
dialogue that Joker uses “what doesn’t kill you makes you stranger” is key to revealing his character
type of a villain as he has been through trauma which has made him into a “freak” and made him
“crazy” which makes the joker uncanny. Another parallel is presented between the character types
of hero and villain as Batman and Joker have both been through trauma, Batman’ parents were
killed where the joker was abandoned in which they have used their trauma as driving forces for the
binary opposite of good vs evil.
In the ending of the Dark knight film, there is a repair of Joker’s chaos that he has let loose into
Gotham in which Batman has a showdown to the death with Joker. In which the false hero Harvey
Dent has turned on them which they used as their public face for their causes due to his more
human features that the Hero and villain do not possess. Harvey Dent wears light clothing and
publicly speaks out, this is their downfall as light costumes in the Dark Knight film represent insanity
with links to Joker’s cause. Jokers dangle from the building near to death is a significant scene in the
film as even at death, he still is smiling and laughing which highlights the characters personality that
he isn’t afraid of death and accepts it rather than fighting for it, this is foreshadowing the narratives
new equilibrium in which the Joker’s chaos in coming to an end. The match cut ending of the close
up of Gordan expressing his worry, Batman rides off into the shadows alone. Batman does not fit the
stereotype of the hero as he is portrayed as alone and not very likeable, but he is willing to put his
reputation on the line in order for the people of Gotham to have hope. Batman is the hero that
Gotham deserves but not what they need right now.
Use examples to support your answer (12 Marks)
Media Product: Dark Knight
In the opening of the Dark Knight film, the first shot presented to the audience is an establishing
shot that builds up tension with its zoom into the building which displays a peaceful city that is
suddenly disrupted by the glass shattering. After the short equilibrium, disruption occurs in which a
visual metaphor is created as the shattered glass represents the whole city being taken over by
chaos and invading the life of the ordinary. The disruption is driven further with continued match
cuts of action with the bank robbers which heightens the tension. The match cuts build to the final
depersonalised shot of a mysterious figure whom we don’t know. The figure represents the
ostracised and nihilistic nature of the Joker and that he hides behind a series of masks to protect his
true identity, here there is a parallel between Propp’s character types of hero and villain as both
Batman and Joker hide behind masks to protect their fragile egos.
During the action of the robbers breaking into the bank, perspective shots are used to make the
audience fell like they are a part of the heist, anxiety is built as the director uses dissembled voices
for the robbers which is concerning and strange for the audience. When the robbers burst into the
bank a 180 degrees flip is used to flip between the actions of the robbers to the actions of a hostage,
this moment is very chaotic, confusing the brain which is Joker’s main goal for Gotham which could
cause sickness. The conflict between the banker and the robbers’ aid Levi Strauss’s binary opposites
of sanity vs insanity as the banker is portrayed through a low angle with light on him, dressed in a
power suit to represent law and order but also the ordinary people in society vs the robbers who
show a lack of empathy of killing who find it amusing and curious to look at dead bodies. The key
dialogue that Joker uses “what doesn’t kill you makes you stranger” is key to revealing his character
type of a villain as he has been through trauma which has made him into a “freak” and made him
“crazy” which makes the joker uncanny. Another parallel is presented between the character types
of hero and villain as Batman and Joker have both been through trauma, Batman’ parents were
killed where the joker was abandoned in which they have used their trauma as driving forces for the
binary opposite of good vs evil.
In the ending of the Dark knight film, there is a repair of Joker’s chaos that he has let loose into
Gotham in which Batman has a showdown to the death with Joker. In which the false hero Harvey
Dent has turned on them which they used as their public face for their causes due to his more
human features that the Hero and villain do not possess. Harvey Dent wears light clothing and
publicly speaks out, this is their downfall as light costumes in the Dark Knight film represent insanity
with links to Joker’s cause. Jokers dangle from the building near to death is a significant scene in the
film as even at death, he still is smiling and laughing which highlights the characters personality that
he isn’t afraid of death and accepts it rather than fighting for it, this is foreshadowing the narratives
new equilibrium in which the Joker’s chaos in coming to an end. The match cut ending of the close
up of Gordan expressing his worry, Batman rides off into the shadows alone. Batman does not fit the
stereotype of the hero as he is portrayed as alone and not very likeable, but he is willing to put his
reputation on the line in order for the people of Gotham to have hope. Batman is the hero that
Gotham deserves but not what they need right now.
