Binary opposites sound clip
In my sound clip I presented Levi Straus’ binary opposites theory of two protagonist characters. The first character, Mr Ali is a formal, well-mannered, middle-aged and strict headteacher. On the other hand, the second character, Abdi, is a 16-year-old careless, informal and badly-behaved young student. I will now go into detail of how these two opposites are portrayed and the large contrast between them.
At the start of the recording we can hear the narrator describing the mise-en-scene of the office and setting. The narrator states that there are ‘several photos organised and positioned’ on the walls, and that ‘his desk has a photo and Abdi’s file neatly put to the side’. Straight away this portrays how much of an organised headteacher Mr Ali is and that he likes his possessions to be neat and tidy. The narrator then goes on to say how there is ‘faint smooth jazz music’ playing in the background. This displays that Mr Ali is a calm, classy man who enjoys the relaxing arts of music. Then, the narrator tells us that Mr Ali’s phone rings. Just from this happening the audience can guess that Mr Ali is a well-respected man who other teachers come to. Mr Ali’s response to his receptionist, Ms McLaren’s request on the phone, reinforces the idea that he is a polite man and very well-spoken, as he replies with ‘thank you Ms McLaren, please send him in.’
Next, the narrator tells the audience that Abdi enters the room ‘swinging the door with a bang’. This straight away portrays to the audience that Abdi is a careless character with not many manners. The fact that he makes neither a polite or gentle entrance into the office displays this idea. Straight away the two binary opposites ar portrayed: ‘polite vs rude’. The narrator tells us that Abdi is playing loud ‘Dubstep music’, exemplifying Abdi’s youth and teenage habits, and also suggesting that he is not very academic or education-orientated. We then hear Mr Ali speaking, his tone very formal and well-rehearsed. He tells Abdi ‘ the purpose of your presence here in this office is to give a valid explanation for your undeniable diabolical behaviour.’ The fact that Mr Ali uses phrases such as ‘your presence here’ and quite impressive words such as ‘undeniable diabolical behaviour’ reinforces the idea that Mr Ali is a very formal character, not only in just the way he looks, but in the way he speaks too. The narrator then tells us that Abdi’s reponse is by ‘kissing his teeth’ and telling Mr Ali to ‘speak English, none of that stuff you were talkin’ about’ referring to him as ‘bruv’. This portrays to the audience that Abdi does not have a lot of respect for Mr Ali even if he is younger than him and at a lower social class than him, and so this reinforces the idea that Abdi is rude and careless with his attitude. Furthermore, the difference shown between Abdi and Mr Ali’s tone of voices and difference in language used portrays a binary opposite of ‘articulate vs unintelligible’. The narrator tells the audience that Mr Ali begins to speak ‘slowly and patronisingly’ to Mr Abdi in response. He says ‘explain your behaviour’. The fact that Mr Ali feels the need to slow down his words so much to Abdi displays that he is aware that Abdi is a low social class and is not very educational.
As the clip progresses, the audience see that Abdi distrupts the meeting by pulling out his phone. He excuses himself by saying ‘eyyy hold up. Someone’s pinging me.’ The colloquial/informal language he uses is portrayed through phrases such as ‘eyyy’ and ‘hold up’. His use of informal language towards Mr Ali reinforces his rude and careless attitude. The narrator tells the audience that Mr Ali ‘lowers his glasses’ and ‘sighs dramatically’, exemplifying that he is patronising and also not impressed with Abdi’s behaviour. We can tell that Mr Ali can not relate to Abdi’s informal, impolite attitude and here the contrast between the two social classes and again the binary opposite ‘articulate vs unintelligible’ is really highlighted.
Furthermore, as the clip progresses Mr Ali asks Abdi why he has been behaving the way he has and that he ‘demands an answer’. This highlights the fact that Mr Ali is the dominating character and is superior compared to Abdi. He is a higher social class and in a higher profession and so he is able to order Abdi around and demand answers from him.. so this represents the binary opposite ‘superior vs inferior’. Abdi’s response to this is ‘so what you’re sayin’ is them lot – “the teachers” – are sayin’ that I’m startin’ crap I ain’t even heard of?’ The fact that Abdi refers to the teachers as “them lot” proves that he does not have a lot of respect for them and that they are not very important to him. Furthermore, he refers to his bad behaviour as “startin’ crap” reinforcing his informal language. His response here displays the idea that he is rude and aggressive. Mr Ali replies to this saying ‘I’m afraid that the two of us have been unable to reach a valid explanation for your grotesque behaviour.’ This displays that Mr Ali finds it impossible to relate to Abdi or be able to conversate with him. His use of phrases such as ‘grotesque’ and ‘valid explanation’ again reinforces the idea that Mr Ali is very intelligent and in a much higher social class than Abdi. Furthermore, Mr Ali then adds ‘This means that we will have to get your father in schooland see if we can reach a resolution.’ From Mr Ali’s words here the audience can assume that Mr Ali is compromising and respectful as throughout Abdi’s rude behaviour, he is nevertheless still willing to help Abdi with his behaviour by organising to meet his parents. Therefore this portrays the binary opposite ‘disrespectful vs respectful’. As the audience can see, Abdi’s response to this is ‘eyy cool. Sau nut’in.’. Here we can see that Abdi is extremely laid-back and not too bothered about the situation. But we have learned that Mr Ali is very uptight and interested in his students so this represents the binary opposite ‘laid-back vs concerned.’
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