The Karate

Kid
A film study
Narrative Conventions
 Filmic Codes and Conventions
Symbolic Written Audio Technical
 Filmic Codes and Conventions
Symbolic Written Audio Technical
 Genre: Bildungsroman
(Coming of Age)
• The Bildungsroman Genre follows a protagonist through a series of trial and tribulations as they
journey from childhood to adulthood.
• Plot Structure
• Protagonist is forced to grow up by external forces.
• Protagonist face a series of conflicts that make growing up difficult.
• Protagonist meets a mentor who helps to guide through the journey.
• Protagonist experiences a transformation through sacrifice, change and growth on this journey.
• Protagonist transforms through these trials triumphant having learnt “life lessons” and becomes
a more mature, grown up and moral human.
 Themes
• Perseverance:

• Respect:

• Acceptance:

• Social Class:
.
• Love:
 Putting it All Together
• Example: Perseverance
• What happens in the film (plot) that shows perseverance?
• Who shows perseverance?
• Choose a scene that you think represents perseverance best?
• What film codes are used?
• What narrative conventions are used?
• Does this theme fit into our Bildungsroman Genre? How/Why?