TEXTUAL ANALYSIS - PULP FICTION (Tarantino, 1994)

What's On?

We will plan a written textual analysis of an extract from Pulp Fiction.

You will need to do some RESEARCH to help you produce a 1000 word analysis, which you will hand in on Wednesday 28th September, after the EXEAT.


Task 1
Watch the extract again. As you watch, create a blog of notes where you can jot down your thoughts on any or all of the following:

• narrative
• genre
• presentation of characters
• camera angles, shots and movement
• editing and sequencing
• lighting, shade and colour
• sound
• location and set design
• genre conventions
• target audience of the film

Discuss as a class your initial ideas, and be prepared to add to your notes.

Task 2 -

• In order to understand more about the crime genre in film, read the following information.
• On your blog of notes, jot down  the conventions (or rules) of the crime film that Pulp Fiction follows, and jot down the conventions it subverts (or breaks).
• Discuss as a class.

eg. one convention of the typical crime film is that the living quarters of the criminal will be seedy, dirty, poor. However, in Pulp Fiction, Lance's house seems rather mundane and normal, a regular middle-class house on a regular street.

Final task:

• Watch the extract again. This time, take more focused notes using the handout provided in class.
• Discuss ideas as a class.
• H/W - write a 1000 word textual analysis to be handed in on Wednesday 28th September.