Literary Theory: An Introduction
Shrek
- What happens if the natural opposites are NOT abided by in a text? (think: Shrek) What does it do to our understanding of the text as we read/watch it?
that is "Example of Binary Oppositions"
Good vs Evil, Black vs White, Boy vs Girl, Peace vs War, Civilised vs Savage, Democracy vs Dictatorship, First world vs Third world, Domestic vs foreign/alien, Articulate vs inarticulate, Young vs Old, Man vs Nature, Protagonist vs antagonist, Action vs inaction, Motivator vs observer, Empowered vs victim, Man vs Woman, Good looking vs Ugly, Strong vs weak, Decisive vs indecisive, East vs West, Humanity vs technology, Ignorance vs wisdom
I have an answer but Is it true?
answer:
Nothing happens if natural opposites are not adhered to this is interesting.
We have learned in all cultures that the ghoul is not green, but Shrek is green. It is also a predator, but Shrek is a good ghoul and does not harm anyone. I have three natural opposites in “Shrek”:
- (Beautiful Ugly) The beautiful-ugly opposition here is between Princess Fiona and Shrek.
- (Men Women) Men and women are obvious here, Robin Hood and the Mary Men are the 'men' and Princess Fiona' is the 'woman'
- (Human Monster) The human-monster opposition here is clearly shown when Robin Hood yelled to Shrek, "Hey you, Monster!... "
