Levi Strauss Theory

As well as Aristotle deciding that 'all drama is conflict' in the 4th century BC, 20th century theorist Claude Levi-Strauss suggested that all narratives had to be driven forward by conflict that was cause by a series of opposing forces. He called this the theory of Binary Opposition, and it is used to describe how each main force in a narrative has its equal and opposite. Analysing a narrative means identifying these opposing forces.

It means understanding how the conflict between the opposing forces will drive the narrative on until; finally, some sort of balance or resolution is achieved.

Levi-Strauss used the ‘Western’ film genre to develop his theory of Binary Oppositions.

TASK 1

List binary oppositions that you can think of from the crime then the horror genres? Give specific examples from texts you know.

Crime

Good – Bad

Police – Villain

Drugs – Money

Power – Dictator

Officer – Gangster

Team – Solo

Conflict – Peace

Truth – Lies

Fair – Corrupt

Loyal – Selfish

Freedom – Trapped

Horror

Life – Death

Smart – Stupid

Safe – Unsafe

Eire – Settled

Vulnerable – Safe

Silence – Noise

Tension – Laid back

Dark – Light

Together – Alone

Nightmare – Mare

 Fear - Peace