Assignment:
Online Submission - Defend how a current television/streaming program of your choice has the elements of one of the stylized theatre genres mentioned in Ch. 8. Compare and contrast your chosen tv/streaming show to a play from your chosen genre to point out specific elements that are similar to the genre. 5 pages double spaced. Need Assignment Help?
Example:
The Natural Elements of Flawed Characters
"Breaking Bad" is a popular television series that has been critically acclaimed and celebrated for its well-thought-out storytelling and complex characters. "Breaking Bad's" naturalist approach to storytelling is an appealing element that makes it stand out from all the other shows today. This show takes place in a world in which characters are subjected to the harsh realities of their environment, and their actions are often a product of their circumstances, much like the naturalist genre of theatre. In this essay, I will discuss the naturalist elements in "Breaking Bad" and will compare and contrast it to the play "A Streetcar Named Desire" and highlight similarities between the two works.
Naturalism is a literary and artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th century. Naturalists sought to represent the world objectively, focusing on the gritty details of everyday life using less dramatic themes and climaxes. Naturalist works often explore themes of determinism, social conditions, and the darker aspects of human nature. "Breaking Bad" embodies many of these naturalist elements. The show presents a world where characters are driven by their circumstances and the society in which they live. For instance, Walter White, who cancer. Facing mounting medical bills and a lack of financial stability, Walter turns to manufacturing and selling methamphetamine to provide for his family, as they are financially insecure. Walter's actions directly result from his situation, highlighting the naturalist theme of determinism.
"A Streetcar Named Desire," written by Tennessee Williams, is a play that explores naturalist themes as well. The play follows Blanche DuBois, a fading southern belle who comes to stay with her sister Stella and Stella's husband, Stanley, in New Orleans. Blanche's attempts to escape her past and the ugly realities of her life ultimately leads to her downfall. The play shows us a world where characters are shaped by their social and economic circumstances, and their actions are a product of these conditions. Blanche's descent into madness is a product of her environment, just like Walter's actions are a product of his.
One of the similarities between "Breaking Bad" and "A Streetcar Named Desire" is their exploration of the human mind. Both works delve into the darker aspects of human nature, showing flawed and complex characters. For example, Walter's transformation from a weak and mild-mannered teacher to a ruthless drug mastermind highlights the complexities of the human mind. Similarly, Blanche's past traumas and her attempts to cope with them showcase the darker aspects of human nature.
Another similarity between the two works is their portrayal of society. Both "Breaking Bad" and "A Streetcar Named Desire" presents a world in which characters are subject to the harsh realities of their environment. Walt's decision to enter the drug trade is a product of his economic circumstances, highlighting the role of social and economic conditions in shaping individual behavior. Comparably, "A Streetcar Named Desire" portrays the harsh realities of the southern United States in the mid-20th century. The play explores the themes of gender roles, class, and power dynamics, showing how these factors shape the characters' lives.
Furthermore, both "Breaking Bad" and "A Streetcar Named Desire" present flawed and complex characters. For example, Walter's character is particularly complex as, throughout the show, we see him transform from an average high school teacher and relatable character to a ruthless and less sympathetic drug lord.
His character arc highlights the complexities of the human psyche and the transformative nature of external circumstances. Similarly, Blanche's character shows us the dark aspects of human nature, like when she tries to escape her past traumas by fabricating a new reality for herself. Her character arc explores the themes of illusion and reality, showing how individuals can be driven to insanity by their attempts to escape their past.
In addition to their exploration of naturalist themes and complex characters, both works also explore the role of society in shaping individual behavior. Breaking Bad portrays a society where economic struggles can lead individuals to engage in criminal activities, while "A Streetcar Named Desire" depicts a society where gender roles, class, and power dynamics shape the characters' lives. Both works highlight the idea that individuals are not free to make their own choices but are subject to their environment's constraints.
Despite these similarities, some notable differences exist between "Breaking Bad" and "A Streetcar Named Desire." We see that "Breaking Bad" is a modern work set in contemporary America and explores themes that are more relevant to modern society, such as the war on drugs and the lack of healthcare and support. In contrast, "A Streetcar Named Desire" is a classic play set in the mid-20th century that explores the themes of sexism and classism in the southern United States. The two works also have different narrative structures, with "Breaking Bad" being a television show and "A Streetcar Named Desire" being a play.
However, there are some differences between the two works. "Breaking Bad" is a more modern work set in contemporary America, while "A Streetcar Named Desire" is a classic play set in the mid-20th century. The two pieces also have different narrative structures, with Breaking Bad being a serialized television show and "A Streetcar Named Desire" being a play. Despite these differences, both works share many similarities in their naturalist approach to storytelling.
In conclusion, the naturalist storytelling approaches of "Breaking Bad" and "A Streetcar Named Desire" demonstrates many similarities. Both works explore the deterministic nature of life and the impact of society on shaping individual behavior. Complex and flawed characters are portrayed in both works, whose actions directly result from their circumstances. Walt's entry into the drug trade can be defined by his financial struggles and desire to provide for his family, while
Blanche's inability to confront her past traumas leads to her tragic downfall. The deterministic nature of life is emphasized in both works, with the characters' behavior being shaped by their surroundings. Despite differences in their settings and narrative structures, these two works share the same ideas in their exploration of naturalist themes. Ultimately, "Breaking Bad" and "A Streetcar Named Desire" are both influential works of art that showcase the intricate complexities of the human experience and the transformative power of external circumstances.