Donnie Darko shows how the monstrous can be represented or misrepresented depending on the interpretation by the viewer. This is a film filled with elements of science fiction, horror and drama but does not come under one genre. Its appeal is in its eccentric way of telling a story, and its ambiguities of both the characters and the exploration of determinism and free will, sanity and insanity, loneliness and love. However it also rejects most common conventions having the main monstrous figure -Frank the bunny- also the one responsible to get Donnie (the protagonist) ready before the world ends, thus saving the original world by causing the destruction of the tangent world. It uses the story to convey its meaning primarily through dialogue and meticulous editing and leaves the majority of the interpretation of the film up to the viewer’s imagination.
In the critique Cinderella: Not So Morally Superior, Elisabeth Panttaja critiques a version of a Cinderella story, Ashputtle, by Jakob and Wilelm Grimm. Panttaja goes in depth about hidden details of Ashputtle and how Ashputtle is not actually motherless, and the real mother is behind all the magic. Even though Panttaja states that Ashputtle’s real mother is violent and evil, she is actually a sweet, godmother like person. Panttaja argues that even though Ashputtle does not have a real living mother, the hazel branch, given to her by her father that she planted at her mother’s grave, which grows into a tree, acts as her mother by taking care of Ashputtle (Panttaja 659). The tree grants Ashputtle’s every wish; from her clothes to helping out with chores.
Now, what makes a villain so evil yet so interesting? A great villain is someone who has a dark heart due to things in their past not going the way they want. They have no compassion whatsoever, are extremely prideful and what all legit villains seem to all have in common is their amazing intelligence. The Queen from the worldwide known story of Snow White is a match for those characteristics. Who exactly is The Queen though?
Macbeth has a huge character flaw. This flaw is demonstrated in a plethora of plays, novels, and other literature, and is often the main character’s, or the tragic hero’s flaw that ends all good. It is greed. Macbeth is so full of greed, that no matter what he gets, he only wants more. The witches play off of this
Many will wince and wrinkle their noses at this film's sheer, uncompromising immaturity. Perhaps they prefer their satire more middlebrow, more responsible, like that Manchurian Candidate remake. But Team America: World Police is criminally, deplorably funny. The giggling starts at the spectacular opening scene when TAWP take down a bevy of terrorists in Paris - though at the unfortunate expense of destroying the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre - and things more or less continue from there. The explicit puppet sex scene between Gary and Lady Penelope-lookalike Lisa is incredible, in every sense.
In the land of Denmark, Beowulf is a true hero in the eyes of the Danes, yet a “Monster” to Grendel and his mother. In all situations, good vs. evil exists. However, the perception of good and/or evil is in the eye of the beholder. For example, king Hrothgra is a well-respected leader held in the highest regards of the people of Heorot. Sadly, Opposing king Hrothgra’s goodness is the horrible swamp dwelling, demonic Monster, named Grendel who terrorizes and kills innocent Danes for simply enjoying themselves and having a good time.
The Element of Fantasy inside Peter Pan Fantasy is a genre that focuses on stories that are “familiar with enough touches of the unreal,” (Zipes, 552). This gives the reader the familiarity of being in a world that has never existed, which may invoke “nostalgia for the never-was” (Zipes, 552). The world of fantasy must still hold true to a person’s internal logic and keep with general conventions. The stories may contain elements of “social hierarchies, taboos, supernatural creatures, magic, high moral standards, quests and villains,” (Zipes, 552). Peter Pan, written by J. M. Barrie in 1928, is a wonderful example of fantasy.
While Falstaff’s ideals are pernicious, Henry’s condition is “to cold and temperate” and it is this very unsuitability to the throne that leads England to decay under his rule. He speaks contemptuously of “vulgar company,” “gibing boys” and “vile participation” in everyday life, illustrating his disdain for the common man. Simultaneously, he also idolizes Hotspur as “gallant,” “the theme of honours toungue,” and the “straightest plant…amongst a grove”. Yet in reality, Henry and Falstaff are both flawed role models, while Hotspur is also proven to be an inadequate leader. His ideas are deemed “dangerous,” “hare-brained,” and “uncertain” confirming that honour is not confined to valorous fighting.
This shows disloyalty towards his people who are very loyal to him. Through these points, it is evident that Odysseus lacks the necessary traits of a true hero. Superficially, his victories and valor make him seem as though he is heroic. Yet, the underlying issue is that Odysseus tends to be selfish, disloyal and cowardly. By the end of his journey the many occurrences of his flaws outshine his perceived heroic qualities.
In reality though, Grendel is a monster. Throughout his tale, Grendel commits multiple acts of violent, cruel and monstrous attacks. Seeing the story through Grendel’s point of view might make us feel sympathy for him, and possibly view him as a hero, but no one can deny his monstrous tendencies, and Beowulf heroic