NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF A MUSIC VIDEO

BY MONIFA PHILLIPS

1. ANALYSE THE NARRATIVE STRUCTURE (OPENED/CLOSED,

CIRCULAR, LINEAR/NON-LINEAR)I would describe the narrative structure as an open structure as nothing is revealed . Although, if the audience realise that there is a reference to story of The Wizard of Oz, for example, the man representing, of what it looks like, the tin man and the heart he is given, you could say that the narrative is a closed structure.

2. ANALYSE USING GOODWIN’S IDEAS ABOUT ILLUSTRATION,

AMPLIFICATION OR DISJUNCTUREThe music video has the idea of amplification as although the chorus links to the visuals, for example, the lyrics ‘I’m covering my ears like a kid’ denoted by characters covering their ears, the rest of the lyrics do not completely link together.

3. ANALYSE THE NARRATIVE USING BARTHES IDEAS ABOUT

NARRATIVE CODESThe music video has the some ideas of the action code e.g. when the boy runs from the man, out of the flat.

The cultural code could also be an idea as the visuals of the music video revolves around a Bolivian legend.

The oral Bolivian legend, dating to the early 20th century, which concerns a deaf boy who fled from his abusive home and found a stray dog that accompanied him since then. After living on the streets for undefined amount of time he discovers that he has special talent of perceiving people's troubles, which he can heal by screaming, which is said to be as loud as an earthquake and a tornado. One day, he finds an old man who is being stoned by villagers while being taunted and ridiculed. By screaming, the boy resolves the situation and revives the old man's heart (in the video, by buying him a new heart). Together, they meet a disfigured man who was abused, considered a leper by society. The disfigured man reveals that he is a prophet who was cursed by a demon(El Tio) because he didn't worship him, and abandoned the society where the demon resided. El Tio is considered as the lord of the underworld, to whom mortal people offer gifts to him in order to be protected by him or to ease his anger. The prophet said anybody who could hear the demon would fall under his control. He told them the demon could be found in desert, where there once was a town in which people worshipped the demon and he cursed them to kill themselves. Together they go to the place where the demon should reside. They arrive at a mine where the demon is supposed to be but everybody could be cursed who is able to hear the demonic curses, thus the boy alone only could go to the demon and over voice him with his scream to stop him from cursing others. The video ends with an open end, considering that El Tio is the lord of the underworld who rules in the mines, which were of use for people for a prolong period of time, whom miners sacrifice a llama from time to time to avoid from being cursed, the boy could be seen as a big sacrifice to redeem the miners from El Tio's undesirable influence. On the other hand it can be interpreted that only the boy is able to stand up to El Tio as the people couldn't have freed themselves. The music video deliberately alludes to the story of the Wizard of Oz in an effort to conceal the legend from those unfamiliar with it.

The video was shot in La Paz, Salar de Uyuni and Potosí(Cerro Rico), Bolivia.

4. ANALYSE THE NARRATIVE USING TODOROV’S THEORY (IF IT

APPLIES)Using Todorov’s theory, conflict applies as the characters venture to seek help to no longer be/feel trapped

5. ANALYSE YOUR VIDEO USING LEVI-STRAUSS’S IDEAS ABOUT

BINARY OPPOSITESUsing Levi Strauss’s ideas, the binary opposite, strong – weak may, apply as when revealed from what is making them weak, they find the strength to leave it behind and to go in search of resolution. For example, the masked man, who stands at a junction, seems relieved and empowered when the boy arrives and joins them on their journey.