Depiction Of Characters Research Articles

Representation of The American Value in Elemental (2023) Film

The 2023 animated film Elemental is more than just a bright depiction of Elemental characters living in a fantasy world; it also represents deeply ingrained American values, particularly those that have shaped contemporary American culture. This article examines how Elemental's characters and narrative structure reflect Robert Kohls' key beliefs of individuality, personal success, and equality of opportunity. This research illuminates how American principles are reflected, both overtly and implicitly, in modern animation by closely examining the film's themes, character development, and symbolic components. The analytical approach combines literary analysis and cultural contextualization to highlight how Elemental not only entertains but also serves as a reflection of American society norms. This study emphasizes the significance of examining media to find the underlying principles that shape cultural products, demonstrating how popular culture can serve as a lens for better understanding society norms and standards.

Analisis Transitivitas pada Penokohan dalam Cerpen Bas les masques dan Délivrance: Kajian Linguistik Sistemik Fungsional

This study aims to describe the characterizations in the “Bas les masques” and “Délivrance” short stories based on the transitivity process and describe the characterization techniques used in the “Bas les masques” and “Délivrance” short stories. This research uses a descriptive approach with a qualitative method. The data are the clauses explaining characterizations in the short stories “Bas les masques” by Benoît Broyart and “Délivrance” by Jean-Paul Nozière. The data collection of this research is carried out by scrutinizing and note-taking techniques. The data are analyzed using the transitivity theory in Halliday’s Systemic Functional Linguistics and Nurgiyantoro’s character depiction theory. The results of this study indicate that the characterization in these two stories are dominantly described by material process, i.e. 8 clauses (35%) in the “Bas les masques” short story and 9 clauses (39%) in the “Délivrance” short story. The processes that are not found are behavioral process because the characters’ behavior cannot be explained from their own perspective. Regarding the character depiction techniques, the two short stories both use conversation techniques and other character’s reaction techniques. Apart from that, there is also the stream of consciousness technique which is only used in “Bas les masques” short story and the character reaction technique which is only used in “Délivrance” short story. From the results of this research, it can be concluded that transitivity analysis can support the study of characterization in literary works because the character's personality can be represented through their experiences in the story.

Ambiguous Women

For five seasons, Yellowstone (2018) has been polarizing on many fronts and creating an ambiguous understanding of its political agenda and positioning. This article explores the depiction of female characters as one of these fronts. With a focus on Beth and Monica Dutton, the analysis seeks to point to the ways in which female characters are presented in ambiguous ways with regard to their gender performances and their correspondence to (racialised) stereotypes. As the characters evoke notions of potential empowerment for (Native American) women, it is crucial to examine them as sites in which gender and race are being contested. Beth and Monica Dutton mirror the ambiguous political nature of Yellowstone because while both characters appear progressive at times, they also reinforce antiquated notions about gender (and race). By conceptualising Beth as a female rendition of the action hero and Monica as a modern interpretation of the Celluloid Maiden trope, this paper addresses this ambiguity and debates in how far these representations can be considered progressive or empowering. While Beth appears empowering on the surface, her reversion into traditional gender roles and her internalised sexism inhibit such empowering effect. Moreover, because of her resemblance to the Celluloid Maiden trope, the lack of depth to her character, and her inauthentic casting, Monica does little to advance the fight for empowering representations of Native American women. Rooted in postcolonial feminist culture studies, this paper discusses what makes these characters ambiguous and whether or not they can be considered empowering at all.

Avengers, Disassemble!

Popular culture both reflects and shapes the audiences’ beliefs. Content Analysis of blockbusting movies can teach us about public attitudes. This study examined underlying themes pertaining to personality types, as they are reflected in movies produced by the largest franchise in history, Marvel Cinematic Universe. Twenty-seven Marvel characters were assessed for their personality traits and received a rating for each of the big five personality aspects. To test which personality type was endorsed by the Marvel narratives, each character’s success was measured by examining the outcomes for that character. Successful outcomes were defined by levels of goal achievement in two categories, somatic goals and reproductive goals. The hypothesis was that being a commercial art-product of Western culture, Marvel storylines will follow neoliberal ideas, and award success to characters that align with the entrepreneurial personality type. That is, characters that exhibit high levels of openness, stability, extraversion, and conscientiousness, but not high levels of agreeableness. Results showed that the strongest predictor for success was openness to experience. It was followed by a second predictor, emotional stability. No correlation was found between extraversion or conscientiousness and success. Agreeableness was found to be moderately correlated to somatic success. The hypothesis was partially supported, indicating there might be some influence of neoliberal values on the Marvel character depiction.

Analisis Media Statement Kasus Lion Air Penerbangan Jt-610 Boeing 737 Max 8 Dengan Pendekatan Storytelling Michael L. Kent

The focus of this study is on how Lion Air managed crisis communication following the Boeing 737 MAX 8 crash of Flight JT-610. The research delves into the use of storytelling in media statements as a strategy for crisis communication during the aftermath of the crash. It outlines Lion Air's goals in sharing information and engaging with the public and media in the midst of this crisis. The study utilizes a qualitative text analysis to scrutinize three specific media statements released during the crisis. By applying Michael L. Kent's storytelling elements, the analysis of the media statements concentrates on factors like emplotment, narrative theory, identification, form, and masterplots. The selected statements cover the immediate aftermath of the crash on October 29, 2018; a subsequent statement on March 13, 2019, addressing broader safety concerns surrounding the Boeing 737 MAX 8; and a final statement on October 26, 2019, summarizing findings from the National Transportation Safety Committee's investigation. The research findings suggest that employing storytelling through straightforward text in media statements, incorporating credible character depiction, structured narrative, empathy, and compelling storytelling, can notably influence an organization's reputation recovery and improvement. Well-crafted and timely media releases are essential as primary information sources for the media, especially in crisis scenarios where prompt and precise information dissemination is critical. This method ensures that information, though disseminated quickly, maintains relevant and impactful storytelling aspects. The study concludes that storytelling, characterized by humanistic, empathetic, and coherent narratives across media statements, can be effectively utilized by Lion Air to uphold consistent and narrative-focused communication with the public through the media.

Sound and Perception in Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner (1982)

This paper discusses the renewal of the conception of film sound and music following the technological advances of the late 1970s. It analyses the ways in which film sound and music freed themselves from traditional uses and became elements to be designed creatively. The soundtrack composed by Vangelis for Blade Runner (1982) is exceptional in this regard: produced in parallel to the editing of the film, it forged an intimate connection between sound and image. Through the method of reduced listening put forward by Michel Chion in Audio-Vision (2019), this paper scrutinizes the specific ways in which sound shapes the perception of the image and narrative in Blade Runner. The first part of this paper analyses how sounds come to replace music to characterize moods and atmospheres. Ambient sounds create a concrete, sonically dense diegetic world, while music is associated with an abstract, extra-diegetic world where spectators are designated judges. This contrast is thematically relevant and delineates the struggle between humans and replicants; sound and music are used for their metaphorical implications rather than in an effort for realism. The second part discusses the agency of characters through the sonorousness of their voices and bodies. Intonations, pronunciation, and acousmatic sounds anchor characters’ natures as humans or replicants to their bodies. Yet, these bodies are revealed to be mere vessels awaiting definition; in the third part, we explore how sound is used to craft synaesthetic depictions of characters, revealing their existence beyond the human/replicant divide.

A Study on the Translation of Culture-Specific Items in Character Depiction in the English Version of Pu Songling’s Liaozhai Zhiyi

The characterization through literary translation is crucial to the international dissemination and reception of literary works. Nevertheless, the research on the translation of character depiction in Liaozhai Zhiyi greatly falls behind other translation themes of Liaozhai Zhiyi. This study is intended to explore the translation of culture-specific items (CSIs) in character depiction in Liaozhai Zhiyi from Chinese to English, within the framework of character’s three dimensions: physiological, sociological and psychological. This study reveals the shifts in the characterization by investigating translator’s strategies, and the significant integration of CSIs and character depiction. The findings demonstrates that the translator’s choice of strategies influences the rendering of character depiction. It is found that the character depiction in the original text of Liaozhai Zhiyi is more mysterious, whereas in the translated text, it seems to possess a stronger sense of intimacy. This study suggests that translators thoroughly consider the culture-specific elements in character depiction, and take into account the combination of multi-strategies. It is hoped that this study contributes to the research field of character depiction translation in Liaozhai Zhiyi, and sheds light on the translation of ancient Chinese classics.

Exploring Female Representation in Contemporary Cinema: A Comparative Analysis of In the Mood for Love and Lust, Caution

This paper investigates how visual elements in In the Mood for Love and Lust, Caution shape the depiction of female characters within their respective historical contexts. Utilizing a case study approach, the analysis focuses on the role of cinematography, colour schemes, and symbolic props in illustrating the complex positioning of women in these films. By examining the use of colour, lighting, composition, and props, the study reveals how these elements reflect social norms and historical realities, and how filmmakers employ them to explore themes of desire, morality, and individual destiny. The paper offers insights into the nuanced portrayals of female characters and underscores how film serves as a mirror of its era, providing a unique perspective on social and emotional issues. Limitations include the narrow focus on two films, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. Future research should expand to a broader range of films and historical periods to gain a more comprehensive understanding of female representation in cinema and the impact of socio-cultural factors.

Transitivity Analysis of Luh Ayu Manik's Narrative Text: Unveiling Character and Action Dynamics

This study investigates the depiction of characters in the narrative text Luh Ayu Manik – Tresna ring Alas through the application of transitivity processes within the framework of Systemic Functional Linguistics. Utilizing a qualitative approach, the research analyzes various linguistic processes—including Material, Mental, Relational, Behavioral, and Verbal—to examine how these processes portray the main character and supporting characters. The findings reveal that Luh Ayu Manik is depicted as proactive and courageous through Material processes, introspective and empathetic through Mental processes, and responsible and caring through Relational processes. Her perseverance is emphasized through Behavioral processes, while her leadership is demonstrated through Verbal processes. Additionally, the analysis uncovers the complex roles of supporting characters such as Made Anjasmara and Ketut Suprabawa Kabinawa, who are portrayed as brave and strategic in their actions. Meanwhile, the antagonistic characters, the thieves, are depicted through destructive actions and complex emotional responses, highlighting their role as significant threats to the environment. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of character development and narrative dynamics, demonstrating the effectiveness of transitivity analysis in uncovering detailed character attributes and interactions.

Egypt's Celluloid Closet

This practice research project argues that the representation of gay men in Egyptian cinema not only has been historically problematic but rather regressed considerably over the years. While critically reflecting on twenty feature films as case studies, I demonstrate that depictions of gay characters in Egyptian cinema have overwhelmingly been limited to crude and cruel stereotypes. These stereotypes are often associated with mental illness, being sexually abused at a young age, being influenced heavily by ‘Western decadence’ or a result of lack of self-control or willpower. Furthermore, the documentary argues that censorship plays an important but not a major part in depicting homosexual characters in a more realistic and less stereotypical manner. The filmmakers’ interpretations and cinematic ploys also play a crucial part in the way these characters are portrayed. In interviewing experts, as well as filmmakers of Egyptian cinema, my work reveals how the majority of filmmakers remain complicit with the expectations of Egyptian audiences and society. In addition, in adaptations, particularly films based on novels, filmmakers sometimes intentionally transform homosexual characters by portraying them as ‘deviant’.

Exploring Ernest Hemingway’s Impact on the Legacy of American Short Fiction

This paper presents a contemplative perspective on the literary style and influence of Ernest Hemingway, renowned for his literary accomplishments in his short stories, novels, nonfiction essays, journalism, and drama. Emphasizing the interplay between Hemingway’s life and his work, this study delves into the writer’s substantial impact, particularly on the short story, despite his better-known association with the novel. It scrutinizes the ethical complexities and moral relativism inherent in Hemingway’s character depiction and also shows the profound influence of World War I on Hemingway’s literary output, shedding light on its resonance within his short stories and books. Moreover, it investigates Hemingway’s insatiable thirst for sociocultural insights, a trait leaving indelible imprints across much of his body of work.

Do textbooks reflect learners’ diversity? A case study of Grade 4 English and life skills textbooks

Textbooks socialise and legitimise cultural norms, and therefore, learners’ social worlds should find expression in their textbooks. In the study reported on here we examined how Grade 4 English First Additional Language and life skills textbooks reflected learner diversity in South African schools as manifested in their racial, gender, occupational, ability and geographical profiling in the textbooks. Content analysis was used to systematically identify instances of diversity representation in Grade 4 English First Additional Language and life skills textbooks. Quantitative content analysis accounted for the ubiquity of human characters’ reflection in textbooks on the diversity variables in question. Qualitative analysis focused on the depiction of characters’ gender roles. Quantitative data suggest that learners’ social worlds were generally represented in the selected textbooks. However, males enjoyed greater visibility than females, and the visibility of disabled people was low. The 2 life skills and 1 English textbook portrayed both urban and rural settings. The qualitative analysis uncovered some gender stereotyping, where, for example, women were depicted in lower positions compared to men’s high-paying vocations like judges, scientists, or doctors. Boys were depicted receiving prizes for their Matric achievements. Implications for publishers and writers commissioned to write textbooks include the need to consider representation of learner diversity in textbooks. The Department of Education should develop guidelines that promote such representation.

Transcultural Appropriation and Aesthetic Breakthrough of Hollywood Film Noir in Contemporary Taiwan Suspense Thriller Films: A Case Study of Who Killed Cock Robin (2017)

The production of suspense thriller films has recently surged in Taiwan. These films adopt narrative techniques and visual aesthetics reminiscent of classic and neo-noir Hollywood cinema but also address social issues in Taiwan and represent transcultural aesthetic appropriation of film noir. This article employs a case study approach to examine the narrative and visual style of the Taiwanese suspense thriller Who Killed Cock Robin (2017), using film narratology as a textual analytical framework. This study considers themes, characters, visual style, and narrative structures, focusing on fundamental characteristics of classic film noir and neo-noir. This study reveals that the selected film both appropriates and deviates from the aesthetics of Hollywood film noir. It effectively incorporates aesthetic elements from classic Hollywood film noir and neo-noir, enriching the intricacies of storytelling and character depiction, while also localizing them through complex narrative strategies and nuanced Taiwanese cultural and social elements. The film brings attention to several prevalent issues in Taiwan’s media landscape, including truth manipulation, sensationalism, tabloidization, and conglomerate and political control. The film portrays Yi-Chi as a morally compromised character embodying the detective archetype with classic noir traits, while also reflecting the “Eastern mentality” in Taiwan journalism. Despite his moral compromises, Yi-Chi partly retains traditional virtues, presenting a nuanced view of human nature that blends pessimism and optimism in Taiwan. This approach creates a distinct cross-cultural narrative that resonates emotionally with Taiwanese audiences, while also contributing to the broader global cinematic discourse on film noir.

THE BOOK COVER AS A NON-VERBAL MEANS OF NARRATIVE CREATING (BASED ON J. K. ROWLING’S “HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE”)

This scientific research is devoted to the analysis of book covers of the fourth part of septology about the little sorcerer by the British author J. K. Rowling "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire". The purpose of the study is to identify the patterns of creation of illustrative images (on the cover) depending on the language of the work of fantasy literature and the target readership. The sample consists of publications in English (in the UK and the United States of America) and in Ukrainian. Particular attention was paid to the methods of creating covers by illustrators, their vision of the work and the target readership to which the publication was directed. The object of the study is a series of covers of the Harry Potter narrative in the English-speaking and Ukrainian-speaking society. The subject of the research is the process of influence of the book cover on the popularity of its narrative among readers in different countries and among different age groups. The issue of differences in the depiction of the novel by English-speaking illustrators in the original language (Bloomsbury Publishing House) and in American translation (Scholastic Publishing House), as well as by Ukrainian artists in the Ukrainian edition (A-BA-BA-HA-LA-MA-HA Publishing House) is considered. The results of the study are, on the one hand, the confirmation of the hypothesis regarding the dependence of the creation of illustrations by artists according to the language and the reader; on the other hand, it is found that the worldview of the illustrator himself is the basis for the depiction of the main characters on the cover of the novel.

Visual comparison of Rama’s and Rahwana’s characters in Javanese and Kelantanese wayang kulit

Ramayana, a well-known tale originating from India, has been embraced across Southeast Asia. In regions like Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and Kelantan, Malaysia, local customs have influenced its portrayal, character representation leading to deviations in storyline and. The aim of this study to compare the visual depiction of key characters, particularly Rama and Rahwana, in Javanese and Kelantanese Wayang Kulit, symbolizing the protagonist and antagonist, respectively. This study intends to contribute by revealing the impact of local visual traditions on the enduring grandeur of the Ramayana tale. The method is comparative study, begin with defining data, collecting data from Yogyakarta and Kelantan master of puppets through interview and documentation, analyzing data, displaying data and draw conclusion. The result is found that there are visual similarities and differences related to Rama and Rahwana character. The common visual similarities such as crown, weapon, cloth and accessories. Meanwhile the difference shows that Javanese and Kelantanese is only about the detail of the cloth, the animal rides (Kelantan version), and the size of the Wayang Kulit. In Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and Kelantan, Malaysia, the story of Ramayana is depicted in unique ways, influenced by cultural variations. These distinctions manifest in the characters' looks, headgear, weapon characteristics, facial expressions, and facial coloring. Further investigation is necessary to delve into these differences and understand the puppeteers' role in conveying moral messages to the community.

Language use in Indigenous-authored television series

For much of telecinematic history depictions of Indigenous characters and languages have instantiated racist stereotypes that perpetuate White, colonial frameworks. However, a new generation of Indigenous writers, directors, producers, and actors use scripted performances to illuminate, contest, and reconfigure these representations, and ideally provoke new interpretations. Our paper examines how Indigenous screen creatives address the linguistic and representational erasures of dominant White, colonizing frameworks through the restructuring and performance of a (sub)genre of scripted speech: fictionalized land acknowledgements. Using discourse analysis, we examine land acknowledgements across five Indigenous-authored television series (two in the U.S. and three in Australia), focusing on how they diversify and complicate mainstream characterizations and bring in Indigenous discourses and perspectives. By “bending the rules,” characters (and authors) maintain the (sub)genre, but regain authority over it through such discursive refashioning. Our analysis explores how Indigenous screen creatives use language to transform, critique and/or reappropriate this (sub)genre. Ultimately, our research contributes to ongoing conversations about Indigenous language, discourse, and media’s role in transforming societal norms and structural injustices.

ORIENTALISM IN JOHN UPDIKE’S TERRORIST

The goal of this research is to look at John Updike's "Terrorist" as a Neo-Orientalist depiction of Muslims, particularly Arabs. Indeed, since the Crusades, there has been a centuries-long conflict between the West and Islam. The crusaders' philosophy was centered on the duality of "we" versus "them.". Western monarchs, clergy, missionaries, businessmen, and authors tended to see Islam and Muslims through myopic lenses, creating an exotic, weird, and distorted image of Islam and Muslims in their stories. These tales had a profound impact on how the Muslim and Islamic worlds were portrayed in the scholarly subject of Orientalism. The study demonstrates that orientalist depictions of Muslims as barbarians, lethargic, unprogressive, and a potential threat to world peace are still prevalent in today's world. Neo-Orientalism is the post-colonial label for this reincarnation of orientalist ideology. This Neo-Orientalist thought is echoed in many literary works written in the aftermath of 9/11. The famous novel "Terrorist" by John Updike, released in 2006, has been chosen as a model work for this purpose. The use of the Critical Discourse Analysis approach to the critical analysis of the story, particularly the depiction of Muslim characters. Furthermore, Updike's portrayal of Islam is based on its flaws, such as its indifference for self-improvement and modernity. The Muslim other is framed as the flawed equivalent of the perfect non-Muslim American in this novel's orientalism and imperfection designs.

‘The problem of other minds’: disappropriation and the limits of polyphony in Ben Lerner’s The Topeka School

ABSTRACT This essay argues that Ben Lerner’s The Topeka School (2019) complicates Mikhail Bakhtin’s dichotomy between monologism and polyphony through strategies resonating with Cristina Rivera Garza’s concept of disappropriation. In contrast to Bakhtinian polyphony, Lerner’s novel posits the necessity of exposing the author’s agency behind the characters’ voices to refrain from appropriating them; it thus embraces authorial fallibility and turns it into an ethical project. Despite comprising multiple narrators, The Topeka School is metafictionally presented as authored by an older version of its teenage protagonist Adam Gordon, serving as Lerner’s alter ego. Adam’s overarching authorial presence is suggested by the narrative’s frequent rejection of individuation and mimesis in its depiction of different characters’ speeches; yet, by presenting individual voices as interwoven, the novel also emphasises the collective nature of language. I discuss how this tension between authorial control and interconnectedness is reflected in textual interferences across different narrative perspectives, in the oscillation between authorial and figural narration in the interludes dedicated to the character Darren, and in the infiltration of various intra and intertextual references into Amber’s as well as Adam’s voice. Through these disappropriative techniques, Lerner’s novel avoids solipsism while also moving beyond the dialogic strategies of previous post-postmodern metafiction.

A Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis of Lingnan Cultural Promotional Videos on Social Media

In recent years, more and more directors of culture and tourism have taken part in the promotion of local cultural tourism resources by cross-dressing, talent shows, and pushing their limits on self-media platforms. This study investigates short videos of Lingnan culture promoted by directors general and deputy directors general of the Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports Bureau of counties and cities in Guangdong Province on social media by the method of multimodal critical discourse analysis. The analysis of 33 videos shows that Lingnan culture is a domineering and confident culture, historical culture, graceful and elegant culture, and vibrant and active culture. Domineering and confident culture is embedded in the utterances and behaviors of the directors general or deputy directors general in the video. Historical culture is realized through the conversation with historical figures through time travel. Graceful and elegant culture is constructed in the depiction of sceneries and the depiction of characters’ manners. Vibrant and active culture is represented in the depiction of the characters’ actional process and analytical process.

Beyond the Factions: A Psychoanalytic Study of Dream and Trauma in Insurgent

This research builds on the psychoanalytic exploration of Veronica Roth's Divergent Series and focuses on a comparative analysis of the second novel Insurgent and its film adaptation directed by by Robert Schwentke. It looks into the relationship that develops between the characters' mental growth and the author's psychology throughout the book. The main objective is to analyze the psychology of fear as it affects the author and examining how it manifests subconsciously in the depiction of characters. This research includes a detailed study of dream study and its connection between the author and the characters, as well as a trauma study associated with the characters researched in this paper. A detailed qualitative study is conducted find the answer for the research question about whether the author unconsciously influenced the characters' fears examining the use of guilt and different methods of hypnosis to suppress a divergent-minded individual.