Levi-Strauss's Binary Opposition Theory

Levi-Strauss's Binary Opposition Theory

• Binary means two things that have been represented as being completely different to one another. Men and women could be seen as being completely different from one another.
• Levi-Strauss thinks Binary opposites are created by producers, specifically because it creates conflict, drama and makes things more entertaining. It also creates meaning. In a Tide advert their are references to Tide and 'other washing products', Tide has been represented in binary opposition to 'other washing products.' 
• Look at all set texts and look for Binary oppositions, why have they done it and what effect does it have on the audience. 

TV Drama

Homeland

The study of the hidden rules that govern structure. It basically argues that narrative uses binary oppositions.
Male vs female
Hot and cold
Lies and truth
Raw-cooked
Destruction vs peace

'Evaluate the relevance of Strauss' narrative theory to long term television drama.'

Levi Strauss' structuralism theory of 'binary oppositions' can be applied to Homeland Season 1 in a number of ways and is relevant because if binary oppositions were not to play, as Levi Strauss himself summarised, the narrative would be less engaging for the target audience.

Levi Strauss theory of binary opposition can be applied to Homeland season 1 as one of the opposing themes is sanity vs insanity. One of the main protagonists in Homeland is Carrie who when on her medication for her mental illness (bipolar) is strong mined driven and can think straight and most of all is very sane. However though out the season Carrie's illness builds up and up and she is finally pushed over the edge in episode 12. This is important to the plot as it is very interesting for the target audience, as they follow her journey of her illness. The target audience are also interested in the theme of Carrie's sanity vs insanity as her job requires her to be very sane as when she is not it make's her very vulnerable as a person and in her job position, this leaves the audience on edge and tense when she is insane as they are scared to see what irrational decision she will make next.

Another main opposition in Homelands that is relevant to Levi is good vs evil (America being good and the Middle East being evil). This is relevant as when the first season of Homeland was first aired a lot of Middle East people were stereotyped as a lot of terrorist attacks were taking place such as the twin towers. This would be cathartic to the Americans as they would get an insight to see what action is happening to prevent terrorists in America although most of is may be fiction. Terrorist attacks are ever more present today and especially in British culture as more and more terrorist attacks are happening today.

Trapped

Levi- binary oppositions good/evil
Neale's theory- Intertextual relay character types. Common character types that you would see in all crime dramas.