Representation and The Last Samurai

Aims To develop an understanding of what the key concept of ‘representation’ means. To understand how to apply existing knowledge and theories to consider representation. To analyse The Last Samurai and consider issues of representation in the film.

Representation – key ideas The media does not represent reality. The media produces, constructs and encodes versions of places, people and events. Some audiences accept the world presented to them by the media without questioning it. So, ‘representation’ is concerned with the ideological viewpoint taken by the media and questioning the values and attitudes behind the texts being presented to the audience.

Consider: How many films have you seen where the villain is American and the hero is from Iraq, or Afghanistan, or Iran? Why not? How often do television or newspaper reports highlight the arguments that there is no such thing as global warming? Did you know that there is evidence to suggest, if anything, the earth is cooling down? That water vapour is a bigger problem than CO2? Why not?

The Last Samurai – Plot Recap The Last Samurai (2003, Edward Zwick) romanticises the disciplined world of the samurai warrior. Set in 1870s Japan, the protagonist is an angry, alcoholic, former US Army captain who finds inner peace after embracing the culture he was originally hired to destroy.

Quotes to consider: “savages” “Japan’s got in mind to become a civilised country.” “For 500 bucks a month, I’ll kill whoever you want.” “Ancient and modern at war for the soul of Japan.” “Twenty years ago this was a sleepy little town.”

What has The Last Samurai got to say about… Identity? Race/ ethnicity? Technology and development? Class (rank)? Gender? War and conflict?

Binary Opposites Western v Japanese Modern v Traditional Which side is the audience positioned to take? Which binary opposite is privileged? Western v Japanese Modern v Traditional Honour v Dishonour Selfishness/ Greed v Servitude Calm v Chaos

Binary Opposites Western v Japanese Modern v Traditional Which side is the audience positioned to take? Which binary opposite is privileged? Western v Japanese Modern v Traditional Honour v Dishonour Selfishness/Greed v Servitude Calm v Chaos

Proppian Character Types

Applying Todorov’s Theory Equilibrium Disequilibrium New equilibrium

Applying Todorov’s Theory Equilibrium Algren is suicidal and disillusioned with life. Disequilibrium Algren is captured by Katsumoto and learns to respect his enemy. New equilibrium Algren is the last man standing having fought alongside his new friends – but even our hero can’t stand in the way of ‘progress’.

Your turn! Using the narrative theories of Propp and Todorov – briefly analyse issues of representation in a film of your choice.