1. Analysis of the text using Binary Oppositions as a framework.
All about eve
Analysis of the text using Binary Oppositions as a framework.
Sonia Murr 2015

2. Binary Opposites
Two opposing ideas are sometimes placed side by side in a text in order to demonstrate that one defines or is dominant over the other.
These opposing elements or ideas tend to highlight the qualities of the things they oppose.
Quite often the ‘oppositional’ ideas are represented by characters, but they can also be symbolised in film by setting, action, framing/ mis en scene, character and sound.
Sonia Murr 2015

3. Oppositional elements in All About EVE
Two elements/ideas are placed side by side in a text in order to demonstrate that one defines or is dominant over the other.
Black/White
Youth/Age
Truth/Lies
Masculine/Feminine
Fame/Anonimity
Theatre (Broadway) /Film
Writer/Director
Beauty/Wisdom
Married/Unmarried
Real/Imaginary
Sonia Murr 2015

4. All About Eve
In order to use these oppositional elements in any kind of analysis of the text, it’s important to consider how they emerge through the director’s use of mis en scene, dialogue and character.
Sonia Murr 2015

5. What is mis en scene? Mis en scene is everything in the frame. Props
Costumes
Positioning of actors
Setting
Lighting
Styling
Sonia Murr 2015

6. How does Mankiewicz use mis en scene here? What is he trying to convey?
Sonia Murr 2015

7. BLACK and white as oppositional elements in All about eve
Mis en scene is everything in the frame.
In All About Eve, Mankiewicz has made specific choices to convey meaning.
Props
Costumes
Positioning of actors
Setting
Lighting
Styling
*A sophisticated reading of a film text ALWAYS unpacks mis en scene.
When we think of the binary opposites ‘black and white’, what are the inherent cultural connotations that go along with this thought?
Taking this, and the many aspects of mis en scen into consideration, what can we make of the following still images from the film?
Sonia Murr 2015

8. Sonia Murr 2015

9. Sonia Murr 2015

10. Sonia Murr 2015

11. Refer to the booklet – Key shots
Look through the booklet and see if you can find evidence of the way Mankiewicz uses binary oppositions in other parts of the film.
He might be highlighting the power struggles between men and women, youth and age, truth and reality, fame and anonimity. Your focus is mis en scene
Sonia Murr 2015

12. DIALOGUE
Through Mankiewicz’s characters’ excessively loaded banter, the audience is exposed to binary oppositions and the power struggles within the film.
In an analysis of the dialogue in the film, binary oppositions can be used as a springboard for an examination of the many power struggles in the film.
Sonia Murr 2015

13. How do binaries emerge in Mankiewicz’s dialogue
When Margo exclaims “I’m nothing but a body with a voice” and Bill replies “what a body, what a voice” Mankiewicz reveals a great deal about the role of men and women in this particular film, but also in the entertainment industry more broadly.
Sonia Murr 2015

14. Power struggle The power struggle between the two is exemplified here.
Margo’s horror at the way she is perceived as merely a conduit for words that are not her own is further ignited by Bill’s immediate obectification of her in his response.
By positioning them in a way that sets them up as oppositional, Mankiewicz is…….YOUR TURN.
Sonia Murr 2015

15. Look Again…
When Margo exclaims “I’m nothing but a body with a voice” and Bill replies “what a body, what a voice”
Can you think of any other oppositional elements in this scene? You may need to look back on your notes.
Sonia Murr 2015

16. Ms Murr thinks: (Use as a model)
In this scene Margo comes to the realisation that she is an object to be manipulated by men; explicitly, writers and directors.
Bill’s response to this realisation shows his lack of respect for her as a woman and as an actor. He belittles her as a “body” and a “voice” and reinforces her role as nothing more than a vessel for his craft. Mankiewicz is highlighting the very different positions these two characters occupy in the film and in this scene he is encouraging the audience to consider the roles of men and women in the world of the theatre. Further, given the nature of 1950s America, it could be argued that he is commenting on societal gender roles more broadly. Margo as “the piano” serves up both Bill’s and Mankiewicz’s “concertos”.
Sonia Murr 2015

17. Structure of this paragraph - Break it down
In this scene Margo comes to the realisation that she is an object to be manipulated by men; explicitly, writers and directors.
THIS IS YOUR TOPIC SENTENCE
Bill’s response to this realisation shows his lack of respect for her as a woman and as an actor.
BRIDGING SENTENCE (Between the statement in your topic sentences and evidence)
He belittles her as a “body” and a “voice” and reinforces her role as nothing more than a vessel for his craft.
THIS SENTENCE PROVIDES EVIDENCE in order to reinforce the point you are making.
Sonia Murr 2015

18. Paragraph Breakdown continued
Mankiewicz is highlighting the very different positions these two characters occupy in the film and in this scene he is encouraging the audience to consider the roles of men and women in the world of the theatre. Further, given the nature of 1950s America, it could be argued that he is commenting on societal gender roles more broadly. This is the really MEATY PART OF THE ANALYSIS in this paragraph.
Sonia Murr 2015

19. Paragraph Breakdown continued
Margo as “the piano” serves up both Bill’s and Mankiewicz’s “concertos”. THIS sentence should scream
Sonia Murr 2015

20. Binaries emerging through dialogue
Which binary opposites are evident in this dialogue? Look back on your notes.
Make notes that might be helpful in explaining what you think Mankiewicz is trying to reveal about the characters in this scene. Use your scripts.
Sonia Murr 2015

21. AND AGAIN…
Which binary opposites are evident in this dialogue? Look back on your notes.
Write a few notes that explain what you think Mankiewicz is trying to reveal about the characters in this scene.
Do you remember what happens next in this scene?
Sonia Murr 2015

22. Your turn
Write a paragraph that describes the oppositional elements evident in the dialogue in these scenes.
Don’t forget;
Topic Sentence
Bridging sentence (or sentences)
Evidence (visual language or quotations)
In depth analysis (the meaty bit)
BAM sentence
Sonia Murr 2015