Contextual studies lecture Louis: Metaphor and Meaning

Jessica Jones

(Metaphor and Meaning)

Jessica Jones (Netflix 13 part drama)

Based on Marvel comic book character

Although grounded in realism, TV series acknowledges in-world superpowers, Marvel universe and comic book roots

Created and produced by largely female team (executive pro/writer Melissa Rosenberg, British director S.J Clarkson)

93% rating on rotten tomatoes

Dominant narrative theme is power and control

Dominant narrative metaphors illuminate theme of power and control

Some themes;

Rape and PTSD

Child abuse

Addiction: drugs and alcohol

Superpowers: externalise character's interior trauma and struggle

 

Objectives:

What is a metaphor?

How metaphor can be used in tv and film

Why metaphor is useful for filmmakers

What is a metaphor?

Traditionally in lit a figure of speech in which a word or phrase makes an implicit, implied or hidden comparison between two things that appear unrelated but share some common characteristics.

Eg. Shakespeare- "All the world's a stage…"

What is the point in a metaphor?

To get the audience to think in different ways. A creative means to stimulate the audience by getting them to think in new ways

Tends to be used in film and cinema over TV

Metaphor or Allegory?

Allegory- an extended or a complex metaphor, or connected series of metaphors. Similar to parables

An allegory usually has two meanings: literal and symbolic (or metaphorical) Alien is regarded as a feminist/Freudian allegory, using visual sexual metaphors

Allusion- an indirect or passing reference, usually with no metaphorical intent. Often used as a homage or nod to a related show or film, or writer/directors' inspirations.

Analogy- literal comparison without further meaning (a metaphor uses analogy with greater meaning) Forest Gump's 'Life is like a box of chocolates'

Metaphor in TV and film

While writers may use verbal or literary metaphors, most metaphors in film and TV will be visual

Metaphors generally need to be constructed of familiar visual symbols and references, and cannot be overly complex

Like a verbal metaphor, they will break down if there are too many analogies to process at once. But there needs to be enough detail that the metaphor is recognisable and easily understood.

Abuse as a metaphor

Kilgrave's sexual abuse/control of Jessica is both explicit and literal in original comic

TV series uses Kilgrave's mind control and Jessica's PTSD as broader metaphors for abusive relationships

"We didn't want to tackle it as an 'issue'. Nobody wants to be preached to and I have no interest in doing any preaching, so it was really just informing her character why she makes the choices she makes."

TV series also expands abuse metaphor further than a source material

Jessica's friend Trish (former child TV star) is a victim of childhood abuse (physical and drugs) by showbiz mother

Kilgrave's new backstory reveals him to be a victim of abusive childhood medical experiments

Both characters become 'control freaks' in adulthood

Addiction/substance abuse becomes a metaphor for both control and loss of control

Jessica's alcohol abuse as a coping mechanism

Former soldier Simpson abuses 'red pills' that give him superpowers

Jessica's addict friend is made to stalk her by Kilgrave in return for drugs

Surveillance as a metaphor

Stalking and surveillance (voyeurism) are also used as metaphors for abuse and control

Jessica's surveillance work is an expression of her need to control

Kilgrave stalks Jessica by surveillance and, when discovered, forces her to self-surveil by sending selfies

The series uses recurring images and examples of surveillance

Superpowers as metaphors

Superpowers are not just about physical manifestations of control, but metaphor for the other

Mrs Eastman's attempt to kill Jessica is motivated by revenge and fear of the gifted/the other

Marvel's X-men have been interpreted as a metaphor/allegory for civil rights struggles and LGBT issues

Visual metaphor in Jessica Jones

The cockroach scenes that bookend ep 2 are examples of vis metaphors

At the beginning of ep, Jessica looks at a cockroach while thinking about Kilgrave's capacity for survival

By the end of the ep Jessica has reconciled to confront Kilgrave and symbolically crushes the cockroach in the sink

Static vs dynamic metaphor

The cockroach scenes are examples of static metaphor

A static metaphor is a metaphor whose meaning is obvious and constant, usually   reflects on characteristic and on character

Dynamic metaphor is one that provides new information as the narrative continues. It is often shared with one characters and/or found in new situations or locations.

The use of addiction (alcohol/drugs/medication) is an example of dynamic metaphor in Jessica Jones

Why film makes might use metaphors

Aesthetic/artistic- to provide another level of meaning beyond the literal or superficial

Freudian/psychological- to provide an alternative means of interpretation beyond the conscious

Political- to allow filmmakers to tackle a difficult or controversial subject within an allegorical framework