COMM 662 - Fantasy-Theme Criticism (lecture notes) PDF

Preview

Summary

Lecture notes - Alaoui...

Description

A. Who developed this method? a. Ernest G. Bormann i. The fantasy-theme method of rhetorical criticism ii. Designed to provide insights into the shared worldview of groups b. Robert Bales discovered the process of group fantasizing or dramatizing as a type of communication that occurs in groups c. Bormann extended his work into a theory (symbolic convergence theory) and a method (fantasy-theme criticism) d. The design of the method grew from Robert Bales’ studies on small group communication e. From his studies, Bormann created a theory and a method that can be applied to all themed messages B. What is Symbolic Convergence Theory? a. Based on two major assumptions: i. Communication creates reality 1. Reality is not fixed, but changes as our symbols for talking about it change ii. Symbols not only create reality for individuals but that individuals’ meanings for symbols can converge to create a shared reality or community consciousness 1. In other words, sharing fantasies or symbols creates convergence 2. Convergence refers to the way two or more private symbolic worlds incline towards each other, come more closely together or even overlap during certain processes of communication C. Fantasy Theme a. Is a word, a phrase, or statement that interprets events in the past, envisions events in the future, or depicts current events that removed in time from the actual activities of the group b. Designed to capture the constructed nature of the theme c. Has characters, settings, and action themes i. Character theme: actors in the drama ii. Setting theme: where an action is taking place iii. Action theme: actions that the characters engage in D. Rhetorical vision a. A “unified putting together of the shared fantasies” or a swirling together of fantasy themes to provide a particular interpretation of reality b. Form a coherent interpretation of reality c. Suggests that a rhetorical community has been formed E. Dramatization a. Fantasies are most commonly expressed through i. Dramatization which involves: 1. Overstatements 2. Incorporation of inside jokes

F.

G.

H.

I.

J.

K.

L.

3. Expression of feelings b. This symbolic language and expression creates a shared meaning and connection within the group that outsiders may not understand What happens when the whole group enthusiastically embraces dramatizing messages? Fantasy a. Fantasy - is the creative and imaginative shared interpretation of events that fulfills a groups psychological or rhetorical needs Robert Bales on Fantasy: a. “The tempo of the conversation would pick up. People would grow excited, interrupt one another, blush, laugh, forget their self-consciousness. The tone of the meeting, often quiet and tense immediately prior to the dramatizing, would become lively, animated, boisterous…” How do small in-group shared meanings create a known rhetorical vision that expands globally? a. “Fantasies that begin in small groups are often worked into public speeches, and become picked up by mass media and become spread out across the larger public.” How do you use a Fantasy-theme Criticism? a. Step 1: Select an artifact b. Step 2: Analyze the artifact c. Step 3: Formulate a research question d. Step 4: Writing the essay Selecting the Artifact a. Symbolic convergence theory must occur within the artifact b. Any popular artifact such as an advertisement, song, book, or film is likely to show evidence of convergence c. An artifact produced by a major public figure such as a politician or talk show host will show symbolic convergence as well d. Some evidence that symbolic convergence has taken place e. Anything that incorporates themes the rhetor knows will resonate with the audience is a good artifact to select Analyzing the artifact (2 steps) a. Coding the artifact for setting, character, and action themes b. Constructing the rhetorical visions from the fantasy theme c. Pick out each reference to setting, character, and actions d. Major themes e. Minor themes Examples of Fantasy Theme Criticism a. Both are catchy b. Short phrases that are easy to remember c. They still have meaning outside of surface level d. Got Milk? i. Simple message

M.

N.

O.

P.

ii. Milk is healthy for you iii. Easily accessible iv. Many celebrities and different companies have used it e. Just Do It i. Versatile ii. Easily accessible iii. Can apply it to many other areas Formulating a Research Question a. Various questions are acceptable when formulating your question b. One may ask about strategies used to accomplish specific objectives, the kinds of messages being communicated through the artifact, the functions of the message, implications of the message, or even the social controversies the artifact brings to the surface Writing the Essay (5 major components of your essay): a. Introduction - this is where you address the research question b. Describe the artifact and it’s context c. Describe the method of criticism (fantasy-theme analysis) d. Report findings of analysis (answer research question) e. Discuss your artifacts value in the context of fantasy-theme criticism Example: “Heaven, Hell, and Here” Understanding the Impact of Incarceration through a Prison Newspaper (a fantasy analysis of “insight,” a prison newspaper, and exploration of the symbolic convergence of its messages) a. 1st fantasy theme: Heaven i. Prison being portrayed as a place for transformation ii. The experience is seen as tough love rescuing a woman from her “weaker self.” Sending her on the path of righteousness and hope. b. 2nd fantasy theme: Hell i. Speaks to the woman’s sense of loss of identity, lack of emotional contact, feeling of guilt, physical distress ii. Separation from family and loved ones is the worst for most women c. 3rd fantasy theme: Here i. Constructs prison as a place where women are tested, and rise to the challenge of dealing with the present and dealing with the future resourcefully ii. Coping with what they are presented with Example: “One Tree Hill” by U2 (an identification of character, action, and setting themes reveals two primary categories of fantasy themes in the song) a. Violence i. Characters 1. Day 2. (your) sun 3. Scars 4. (our) world

5. Poets 6. Jara 7. (Jara’s) blood 8. Bullets 9. Stars ii. Actions 1. Begs 2. Leaves no shadows 3. Carved in stone 4. Speak their hearts 5. Bleed for (speaking) 6. Sang his song 7. Still cries 8. Rape the night 9. Fall iii. Settings 1. Face of earth 2. Firezone, heart of darkness 3. Hands of love 4. Ground b. Nonviolent i. Characters 1. We 2. Moon 3. You ii. Actions 1. Turn away to face 2. Is up and over 3. See the sun go down 4. Ran like a river 5. Know 6. Runs like a river 7. Don’t believe 8. Has turned red 9. Run like a river iii. Settings 1. Cold, enduring chill 2. One tree hill 3. Your eyes 4. Sea 5. Red c. Rhetorical Vision

i. ii. iii.

Balance, comfort, and understanding in violent, unfair, and unpredictable circumstances Accepts unpredictable nature as an explanation for death Coping mechanism for those who feel blame or guilt over a friend’s death...