Today we watched the first episode of Jessica Jones - season 1, which is a 13-part American web television series (drama) created for Netflix. It's based on the Marvel Comic character with the same name, and although grounded in realism, the TV series acknowledges in-world superpowers, Marvel Universe and comic book roots.What is a metaphor?
- Traditionally in literature, a figure of speech in which a word or phrase makes an implicit, implied or hidden comparison between two things that appear unrelated but share some common characteristics.
- Shakespeare's "all the world's a stage..."
- A creative means to stimulate audience by getting them to think new ways.
Metaphor or allegory? Allusion or analogy?
- An allegory usually has two meanings: literal and symbolic (or metaphorical).
- Alien is regarded as a feminist/Freudian allegory, using visual sexual metaphors.
Allusion - an indirect or passing reference, usually with no metaphorical intent.- Often used as homage or nod to a related show or film, or writer/directors' inspirations.
Analogy - a literal comparison without further meaning (a metaphor uses analogy with greater meaning).
- Forest Gum's "Life is like a box of chocolates".
Metaphor in TV and film
- While writers may use verbal or literary metaphors, most metaphors in film & TV will be visual.
- Metaphors generally need to be constructed of familiar visual symbols and references, and cannot be overly complex.
- Like a verbal metaphor, they will break down if there are too many analogies to process at once. But there needs to be enough detail that the metaphor is recognisable and easily understood.
Metaphor in Jessica Jones
Dominant narrative theme is power and control.
Dominant narrative metaphors illuminate theme of power and control.
- Rape and PTSD
- Child abuse
- Addiction: drugs and alcohol
- 'Superpowers': externalise character's interior trauma and struggle.
Abuse as metaphor
- TV series uses Kilgrave's mind control and Jessica's PTSD as broader metaphors for abusive relationships. (Does it more subtle and visually).
TV series also expands abuse metaphor further than source material.
- Jessica's friend Trish (a former TV child star) is a victim of childhood abuse (physical and drugs) by "showbiz" mother.- Killgraves new backstory reveals him to be a victim of abusive childhood medical experiments (they are both control freaks - similar backgrounds can produce similar characteristics, but use them different ways).
Addiction as metaphor
Addiction/substance abuse becomes a metaphor for both control and loss of control.
- Jessica's alcohol abuse as coping mechanism.
- Former soldier Simpson abuses 'red pills' that gives him superpowers.
- Jessica's addict friend is made to stalk her by Kilgrave in return for drugs.
Surveillance as metaphor
Stalking and surveillance (voyeurism) are also used as metaphors for abuse and control.
- Jessica's surveillance work is an expression of her need to control.
- Kilgrave stalks Jessica by surveillance and, when discovered, forces her to self-surveillance by sending pictures.
Superpowers as metaphor
Superpowers are not just a physical manifestation of control, but metaphor for 'the other'.
- Mrs Eastman's attempt to kill Jessica is motivated both by revenge and fear of 'the gifted' (or 'other')
- Marvel's X-men have been interpreted as a metaphor/allegory for civil rights struggles and LGBT issues.
Visual metaphor in Jessica Jones
- At the beginning of the episode, Jessica looks at a cockroach while thinking about Kilgrave's capacity for survival.
- By the end of the episode, Jessica has reconciled to confront Kilgrave, and symbolically crushes the cockroach in the sink.
Static vs dynamic metaphor
The cockroach scenes are examples of static metaphor.
- Static metaphor: a metaphor whose meaning is obvious and constant (like using red to symbolise sexuality) usually reflects one characteristic and one character.
- Dynamic metaphor: provides new information as the narrative continues - often shared with other characters and/or found in new situations or locations.
Why filmmakers might use metaphor
- Aesthetic/artistic - to provide another level of meaning beyond the literal or superficial.
- Freudian/psychological to provide an alternative means of interpretation beyond the conscious.
- Political allowing filmmakers to tackle a difficult or controversial subject within an allegorical framework.
//Images from Google.com\\
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