Postmodern mock essay rewrite

Postmodernism in the oxford dictionary is referred to as a style and concept in the

arts characterised by a distrust of theories and ideologies and by the drawing of
attention to conventions. Postmodernists claim that in a media saturated world
where we are constantly immersed in media the distinction between reality and media
representation of it becomes blurred or even entirely invisible to us. In other words we
no longer have any sense of the difference between real things and images of them or
real experiences ad simulations of them. Others say that it is just a new way of
thinking about media when really is has always been this way.
My first case study of postmodernism is film. I believe that many films highlight this
postmodernism through the main concepts such as: pastiche, flattening of affect,
hyper reality, time bending, altered states and more human than human. Pastiche is
self-referential, tongue in cheek, rehashes of classic pop culture. This flattening of
affect which is highlighted through the postmodern films involves technology,
violence, drugs and the media lead to detached, emotionless, unauthentic lives. Hyper
reality is described in relation to where technology creates realities which are original
or more desirable then the real world. Finally time bending is used to connote the
importance of time travel, as it relates to how time travel provides another way to
shape reality. I will be using my film case studies in order to show how they are
postmodern and will highlight the key aspects which make them postmodern.
The Lego movie produced by Warner brothers recently been released onto DVD is
another key example of how postmodernity is used within the film industry. PostModernism both questions what is real, true, and absolute, as well as playing with
inter-textually. The Lego movie is set in an animated world and is the heroic journey of
regular-guy Emmett and his quest to stop Lord Business from destroying the world
with his super weapon: The Kragle. On the other hand the boy is set in reality
attempting to play with his dads Lego while his dad wants to maintain complete and
absolute order, not giving in to the creativity that Legos can unleash. In many ways it
can be seen that the Lego Movie is The Matrix with Emmet replacing Neo, the boy and
Vitruvius combined to be Morpheus, Wild style as Trinity, and Lord Business as Agent
Smith/The AI. There are layers of reality, and only the main hero is able to see both
completely. Also, there are robots. Built within this multiple-layered-reality are iconic
figures like Batman, Star Wars characters, as well as eclectic combinations such as
Unikitty. Pastiche is highlighted to us throughout the film. It is never taken too
seriously and the script reads like it has been written by a 9 year old, allowing the
audience to relax and enjoy watching the film. Moreover intertextuality is displayed
bringing characters in drawing iconic personalities that we already know. A prime
example of this in the film is the character batman as we do not need any explanation
of who batman is and why he does certain this as we already know this from previous
experience. Flattening of affect is suggested through the character Emmit where he
lives in a world of popular music, formulaic television, and people who always follow
the instructions. At first it seems like an evil corporate plot, but when we pull back and
see the father-son relationship in the framing narrative, we realize that this isnt
exactly the case.
Along with postmodernity in film, it is also clear to see this postmodern effect within
music video. This is clear within the Jessie J music video, whos laughing now. Hype
conscience is shown in this video where the main performer Jessie J is playing multiple
roles in the video and playing different characters as well as herself. The characters in
which shes playing are very over exaggerated implying that narcissism to their selfimage. This is constantly reminding the viewer that what they are watching is not real
and it is made up. A key feature of the postmodern music video is the intertextuality
references which are constantly made. Two prime examples of this is the reference of

mean girls and reference to bugs bunny. The reference to mean girls is clear to see
when the four girls are dressed in pink and are walking in a line next to each other.
They present themselves to be very stuck up and love themselves just like how the
mean girls do in the film. Buys bunny is referenced in the lyrics when the girls are
bullying Jessie. Here the lyrics say Oh Jessica you so funny youve got teeth just like
bugs bunny. Baudrillards theory is incorporated into the music video. This is because
the video appears to continually cut from Jessie as a school girl to Jessie grown up.
This in my opinion depicts postmodernism as no distinction is made between them.
This means the progression of time is conventional. This lack of effect confuses the
audience and makes them question which part of the video is in real time. This
creates postmodern irony because none of what we are watching is actually real.
Finally postmodernity is evident through the TV shows which we see today. The
Simpons which is an American sitcom highlights the varius features of postmodern TV
show. A specific episode which I believe highlights postmodernity is the episode called Girls just
want to have sums. In the episode Harvard principle Skinner is fired for offending feminists by
suggesting differences in performance in math/science may be due to innate differences between
men and women. He is then replaced by womens educational expert, Melanie, who demands that
the males and females in Harvard are separated immediately, and the audience see females
treated differently from now on. What is the source of this illusion, or as I call it, the biggest lie
ever told? Principle Skinner states as he stands on stage, speaking out to all of the feminist
women before him, who do not look very pleased. There is an instant display of lack of
seriousness and irony in this clip, as the Principle of the school is mocking quite a serious topic
(feminism). This is a very post-modern trait as it is making light of political issues that do happen in
the real world. Then, a woman in a pink blazer stands up and shouts youre a worse version of
Hitler as she ironically points her hand out at Skinner, almost as if she is mimicking Hitler. The
irony is reinforced here the episode is beginning to look like a parody, as the topic of Hitler is
very serious and a piece of history is being mocked. Also, another crucial postmodern aspect of
this is that it is intertextual by referencing to Hitler.
Stereotypes and mocking of serious matters - Skinner states please, believe me I understand the
problems of women as he laughs and stands to the side in a flowery, pink dress. The idea that
The Simpsons are representing a stereotype of females here, to all wear floral dresses, is very
postmodern as again, this is a sensitive subject that especially feminists, would not like to set their
eyes upon. The mocking of serious subjects returns yet again when a child shouts ha ha,
Skinners a tranny. Of course, many transsexual individuals could feel deeply affected by this sort
of mention as these new subjects are not usually spoken about, but it is apparent that the
modernity of this program really does push boundaries. How do numbers make you feel?
Principle Melanie passionately asks a student after she switches on a light that makes fraction
symbols and numbers float around the room. This presents another stereotype of females to
constantly think with their emotions instead of thinking rationally and practically, and being soft
and girly. The fact that The Simpsons confidently represents this stereotype is very postmodern.
Pastiche is highlighted when the next scene presents the new Principle, Melanie, teaching her
new class of females, there is an element of pastiche conveyed. It is interesting to note that the
previous scenery was very traditional and sensible in the schools assembly hall, which suddenly
switches to an airy-fairy, feminine classroom suddenly full of purple puf chairs, flowers and softlighting. This represents the very postmodern merging of looks/genres.
In conclusion the Simpsons has a general liberal attitude to serious matters like Feminism, which
can be taken very seriously by many individuals. I felt that this whole episode made light of serious
issues and was very ironic and mocking, which of course, is very postmodern.