Narrative Structure - almost self referential in that the non-linear narrative makes the storyline obvious, break our suspension of disbelief. Realize when Vince is killed.
Doesn't have a clear protagonist - could be suggesting that we don't need one. Doesn't have a meta narrative - a narrative with an overriding theme (often a binary opposition or dominant ideology), which is the only one of Tarantino's film that doesn't
Doesn't have any narrative resolution - no return to equilibrium (possibly Butch riding off but as he's not the protagonist maybe not). It ends on mid-narrative
Genre Conventions - doesn't have the 'rise and fall' narrative of gangsters films, everything stays the same.
Stylized imagery/iconography - gangsters etc. it does have. Mia as the femme fatale is the opposite to the usual - attractive in an unconventional way, wears a shirt instead of a dress, not v. feminine, however she's referred to as the 'big man's wife' and Uma Thurman was chosen over Pam Greer as the latter isn't submissive
Expectations/Casting - John Travolta experimental - usually plays a dancer, sex symbol, massively different to this role. Gang land bosses thought to be white, Italian men. People's ethnicity in the gang doesn't seem to matter. Bruce Willis experimental casting - should be mid-20s but is older, father-daughter relationship with him and Fabienne
Language, representations and 'shock value' - very stylized dialogue, there to sound cool. Talk about normal things in a very stylized way. Controversy with swearing and racism. Gangsters seen as intellectually thoughtful people (Mia talks intelligently, Jules especially), shown as cool and capable, sophisticated, overriding interesting in popular culture. Women seem juvenile (Hunny Bunny, Favian), while Mia seems strong (although juvenile to a certain degree). Black people shown as powerful (Jules seems superior compared to Vince, Marcellus is overall in charge and the catalyst of the plot).
Post-Modernism - self referential, non-linear, controversial, briefcase is a macguffin - could be replaced easily, the case is what we want it to be
Almost designed for repeat viewings as can notice things you wouldn't at first
Repeated mention of Vince taking Mia out at the start is a red heading for a plot around them
Lance represented as a pseudo-businessman, a salesman not a drug dealer, different representation to normal
Jungle Boogie at the opening credits makes us think of a Blacksploitation film, and then shows Jules after to continue this red herring
First time we properly see Marcellus Wallace is when he's run over - not untouchable like most mob bosses in films
Mysteries set out - e.g. Tony Rocky Horror thrown out the window
At Jack Rabbit Slim's, none of the dialogue is important to the plot. but it sets out the relationship between Vince and Mia
Editing - non-linear, also uses title cards to compartmentalize the film, making us know it's a film. Makes us look at the film from the outside, not immerse us
Sound - Dialogue is stylized and doesn't move on the plot. Very little cinematography to back it up, forcing us to focus on the dialogue
Narrative content - unconventional plotting, what we don't need to see. Sowing Vince on the toilet, also hints at violence to come, dialogue that doesn't contribute or move on the plot. Voyeur shots of Jimmy and Wolf talking about the shots to make Wolf look cool. Only realize we're in a non-linear film when Vince gets killed. We think we can anticipate what the film's about - Vince and Mia running off, but it doesn't
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