Randy Mootooveran

Lit Media

October 25, 2016

The Punk Singer; Commentary or Experience?

            Artists have always been able to show off their beliefs through their work. Sometimes, it can be difficult depending on which type of medium you’re trying to work out of, but that wasn’t the case for the protagonist of The Punk Singer. Many people will tell you writing meaningful lyrics isn’t a focal point (usually successful artists who believe repeating things like “I’m in love with the cacao” or how much money you have are good enough to release to the public), the girls in The Punk Singer managed to find the perfect balance of a good tune with lyrics meant to be thought about.  Anyone can tell you that when they hear a great song, it usually stays on your mind, instead of being thrown aside for a new one every other week. It’s very reminiscent of blues musicians or Bob Dylan, who take the time to make something that illustrates a point, whether it is about society, their place in the world, and how they want to push for change by appealing to the people not roped in politics. In many ways, the songs are both commentary and an experience. It’s most apparent when the lead singer has slutt written across her chest and asks all the ladies in the room to come to the front. She wants her viewers to have the experience of not being second to men or tied down in the real world, but to have the ability to express themselves as people who won’t take shit from anyone by getting up on stage with the band during their performances.  It’s all meant to make the audience feel a deeper connection to their content.

Randy Mootooveran

Lit Media

September 22, 2016

1.    Metonym is like a saying used to substitute words for something onger, like “THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD,” is a substitute for words are far more efficient than brute force. Texas Chainsaw is f things that can be substituted or symbolic, like how oil is a precursor for blood, with the van, the generator, and Leather face’s chainsaw all rely on it and how it flows as much as the blood.

2.    New Historicism understands culture and intellect through a piece of work or text. It is strongly tied to film as both critics and audiences watch them to decipher what kind of subtle messages or hints of symbolism filmmakers and authors use to get across a point or theme.  It’s mainly searching between what’s been shown to you in order to find out why certain elements pop up.

3.    The opening of Texas Chainsaw goes through 5 different stories, each one grizzly, dark, and unpleasant. It sets the stage for the mood the film and what kind of unpleasantness the audience should expect from here on out. The argument of what the elements mean is quite extensive. Franklin falling over due to the big truck symbolizes oil as a big part in the film and that oil will be a key player in the film.

4.    Genre usually dictates what kind of symbols is incorporated. Normally in action, sci-fi, or thrillers, corporations are depicted as a dominant force with an enormous level of control or influence, and are usually tied to whatever conflicts are in the story. In Texas Chainsaw, it doesn’t have any apparent corporate signage throughout the plot, except for the very beginning and ending. A large fourteen-wheel truck knocks Franklin over, showing his fragility as both a character in this slasher film and as the every man being pushed down by large corporations. However, the truck comes back in the end when Sally is running for her life, running over one of the cannibals while stopping to save her. It displays how some good can come out corporations as we do depend on them for our survival every day. However, it also shows that the corporations can’t always be relied on, as the driver runs and leaves Sally by herself after incapacitating Leatherface for a moment. It shows that people need to be self reliant in the face of danger, as people won’t be able to protect you forever and that survival comes from learning to become independent through your own actions.