This week’s lecture looked at semiotics, and character analysis through “Denotation”, “Connotation”, and “Myth”. I decided to take apart two of the main characters in a much loved film – Donnie Darko. If you’re thinking about watching it, stop thinking and watch it. Don’t watch the directors cut though. Srsly..
DONNIE DARKO
Denotation –
- Teenage kid
- Dark clothes
- Dark features – hair eyes
- Casually dressed
- Miserable expression
- Apathetic look and ‘gate’
- Slouched posture
Connotation –
- carefree / slightly wreakless
- Depressed / Rebel
- Existential / questioning life
- Gravely unhappy, unfulfilled
- Mentally troubled
- Unsure, nervous, anxious about the future
- Nihilistic
The Myth –
- Teenage boys seem to degrade society
- Troubled people make the best art
- The purpose behind the actions of others is widely misunderstood
- The big picture is worth more than all the precedes it
FRANK THE BUNNYRABBIT
Denotation –
- A person dressed in a large stylised bunny suit
- A happy grin on the face
- A silvery surface covers most of the face and the ears of the suit
- Large exaggerated, distorted teeth
- Twisted, distorted ears
- White eyes without pupils
- Grey furry body with white oval on chest
- Unnatural facial ripples and contours
Connotation
- Sinister smile , implication of sadistic personality
- Unnatural stylised appearance reinforces the idea of frank being an imaginary construct
- Glowing eye as “all seeing eye”
- Tall stature – omnipotent being
- Reflective material seems futuristic, representing tine travel
- Warped face as a sign of abuse, past tragedies
- Neat fur, untouchable character, reinforces omnipotence
- Interest in the greater good, willing to be a destructive force in the short term to achieve morality
The Myth
- Looks deceive
- Malevolent philanthropist
- Kindness as a result of remorse
That's all folks.
IMDB Rating : 8.2/10
My Rating : 8.5/10
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