Postmodernism Essay Plan

Write about  postmodern texts from two different Media and say why they are postmodern  and why they might be considered controversial.

Postmodernism is difficult to define. It is easier to speak in terms of postmodernisms. However, it is possible to state that postmodern texts will have some of the following characteristics: (write about some of the characteristics postmodern texts have) ………

For the purposes of this essay I will be referring to the films “Inglorious Basterds” by ………, “Scott Pilgrim versus the World” by  ………..   I will also reference John Pilger’s 2011 Documentary film “The War You Don’t See” and the BBC news on the subject of The War in Iraq. The television programmes “The Simpsons”, “Fox News and the reality television programme  (choose a reality television programme such as “Big Brother” or “The Only way is Essex”). ……………………………

Postmodernism can be seen in the relationship between world events and the media in Beaudrillard’s concept of simulacra where he argued ……….

Beaudrillard’s views are very controversial because they imply the postmodern world is full of images that often bear no relation to the actual reality they represent. In a democracy people are not necessarily making informed judgements. Perhaps this is most clearly seen in “Fox News” where …………………………

According to Beaudrillard, the Gulf War never happened. What he meant by this statement was (explain what Beaudrillard thought of the BBC News Coverage ) ………………………

According to Lyotard, in a postmodern world everything is relative and there are no absolute truths or ‘grand/meta narratives’ such as ………

Lyotard was opposed to ‘meta narratives’ because he believed they ………………..   Instead he believed in ‘mini narratives’ which reflect the plurality of modern society.  “The Simpsons” often challenged established meta narratives. In the Episode ….. (analyse two or three “Simpsons” episodes and explain what they challenge)………………….

The film “Inglorious Basterds” is postmodern because ........

The intellectual critic of postmodernism, Jameson, would dislike the film and find it controversial because it  …….

          “Scott Pilgrim versus the World” is postmodern  because ……..

Both films are controversial and postmodern because they break and challenge the traditional relationship between audience and text. “Inglorious Basterds” and “Scott Pilgrim” are self reflexive texts. Self reflexive elements of the films are    (give at least one example from each film) ……….…..

 “The Simpsons” episode “Twenty two short films about Springfield ” is postmodern  and controversial because it makes intertextual references. (explain a number of the intertextual references – particularly to “Pulp Fiction”)  ….  Intertextual referencing is controversial

Another episode of “The Simpson” that is controversial is …………… . Postmodern elements of this episode are ………………………..

According to Foucault, reality television texts like “The Only Way is Essex,” “I’m a Celebrity Get me out of Here” or “Big Brother” are post modern because …………………………   He believes the generic title of a reality show is misleading because …………………………………………

Postmodern texts often mix genres. This can be seen in ………………

Many people think that postmodern texts can be good. Positive aspects of  postmodern texts are  (quote examples from the texts we have studied) ………………………….

Other people think postmodernism is a negative thing. They dislike postmodern texts because  (quote examples from the texts we have studied) ………………….