Levi - Strauss Binary opposition theory.

Narrative Conflict

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.

Homesteaders                                                                           Native Americans 

Christian                                                                                    Pagan

Domestic                                                                                   Savage                                    Weak                                                                                        Strong                                      Garden                                                                                      Wilderness                                                                                 

Inside society                                                                             Outside society

Task 1:

List binary oppositions that you can  think of from the crime then the horror genres?

Give specific examples from texts you know.

Post onto your own blog for feedback.

You will list binary oppositions from two given genres giving specific examples.

Examples of Binary Opposites
Good vs Evil,
Black vs White,
Boy vs Girl,
Peace vs War,
Civilised vs Savage,
Democracy vs Dictatorship,
First world vs Third world,
Domestic vs foreign/alien,
Articulate vs inarticulate ,
Young vs Old,
Man vs Nature,
Protagonist vsantagonist,
Action vs inaction,
Motivator vs observer,
Empowered vs victim ,
Man vs Woman,
Good looking vs Ugly,
Strong vs weak,
Decisive vs indecisive,
East vs West,
Humanity vs technology,
Ignorance vs wisdom

Levi Strauss

Claude Levi-Strauss suggested that all narratives had to be driven forward by conflict that was caused 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 is less interested in the chronological plotting of a single story than in repeated elements and their systematic relationship, usually across many stories. 
He called these the paradigmatic aspect of myths. 

A Levi Straussian approach to a particular film/TV crime drama might 
place it in the binary of crime/law and order.

When analysing a crime text you should ask yourself:
How does it embody this binary through contrast of characters, settings and actions?

It can be argued that there has been a recent shift in crime drama. The progressive defence attorney crime fictions of the 60's and 70's featured compassionate fighters for the underdog. This was replaced in the 90's with texts becoming more focussed on prosecutors. Perhaps due to a shift to the right in US and UK politics but also due to the difficulty of presenting defence lawyers sympathetically after their role in such high profile cases as OJ Simpson. 
(See the jaded view of the law in Murder One (1995) and LA Law (1986) if you are using Crime drama for MS2.

We could also point to the different detection methods of characters such as Megan and Horatio in CSI, she insists on staying strictly with the evidence, he goes with a gut feeling. They are consistently opposed, a narrative that can be seen in other crime fictions such as Life on Mars.

Many of you refer to binary oppositions in very vague terms. To tighten up your answer, always refer to the original thinker behind the concept, Claude Levis-Strauss, and then explain that binary oppositions reflect contemporary ideologies and fears, with specific and named examples to show your understanding. Here are two examples of how exemplification and detail can transform a response:

1)    “…In I, Robot we see binary oppositions at work such as robots against humans…”

2)    “In I, Robot we can see Claude Levi Strauss’s binary oppositions at work such as the hero, Detective Spooner and the ‘evil’ robot Sonny, representing good humanity versus cold, evil machine. This reflects contemporary fears of the increasing power of technology…”

Task1: 
Watch this clip of Luther and apply Barthes' and Levi Strauss' theories where you can. Consider how you will apply the use of narrative theory within your own production.