A binary opposition is a pair of related terms or concepts that are opposite in meaning. Binary opposition is the system by which, in language and thought, two theoretical opposites are strictly defined and set off against one another.
List of binary oppositions found in teen
films such as:
Romeo and Juliet:
Montague and Capulet
In the opening scene there are numerous binary oppositions comparing the Montague boys and the Capulet boys which are:
The Montague boys
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The Capulet boys
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They were in Bright clothes
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On the other hand they wore Dark clothes.
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They are Nervous cowardly men
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But they are brave/calm men.
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They owe a yellow convertible fun car
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however they owe a blue smart car.
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Represent peace
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Represent war
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Chubby men
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Fit and muscular men
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They wore casual Hawaiian suits
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Whereas they wore smart suits.
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They are White Americans
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And they are Latin Americans.
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Associated with Hip-hop motif
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Associated with Cow boy music.
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Dog tags
Weak men
Not groomed
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Gold Bling
Powerful men
Well groomed
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These binary oppositions shown through the mise en scene of Romeo and Juliet demonstrate the conflict there is between the two rivals. The contrast between the two families (the Montague and the Capulet) also foreshadows the tragedy that will happen at the end of the movie affecting both families. The Capulet boys made it really clear they are all about war and this has clearly lead to people getting hurt and dying.
10 things I hate about you:
In the opening, various binary oppositions are shown through the mise en scene. The first binary opposition shown at the beginning are the smiley, girly girls in the blue car, jumping and dancing, feeling all happy vs the girl that strolled beside them with a straight face, not happy at all, showing a serious look and wearing all black in the pink car. It is noticeable that throughout the movie there will be a form of conflict that will arise between both category of girls somehow judging by the contrast between them. Following the first binary opposition is the opposition that demonstrate that the guidance counsellor is the opposite to what her job portrays her as. She is supposed to be a counsellor but on the contrary her pink outfit shows a more fun/less serious side of her when she is supposed to be a serious character. There are also different cliques introduced in this opening such as jocks , coffee kids, white Rastas, cowboys, beautiful/ popular rich girls and the geeks etc.. Automatically the binary oppositions amongst these cliques will create a huge conflict/ drama between them judging again by the contrasts between them.
To add to this when talking about the binary opposition through music , when the girls in the blue car were dancing/ having fun, pop music was playing whereas when the girl in the pink appeared beside them the music suddenly changed into loud rock music. This contrast gives us an insight into the characters in that particular moment. Furthermore low angle and high angle shots occurred in the counsellor's office to show who has the power and who is vulnerable. These binary oppositions showed through the camera portrays the counsellor as a powerful/ in control individual and the new boy, the vulnerable boy that knows nothing about his new school yet.
To add to this when talking about the binary opposition through music , when the girls in the blue car were dancing/ having fun, pop music was playing whereas when the girl in the pink appeared beside them the music suddenly changed into loud rock music. This contrast gives us an insight into the characters in that particular moment. Furthermore low angle and high angle shots occurred in the counsellor's office to show who has the power and who is vulnerable. These binary oppositions showed through the camera portrays the counsellor as a powerful/ in control individual and the new boy, the vulnerable boy that knows nothing about his new school yet.
Grease:
Most of the binary oppositions in Grease are shown in the opening cartoon. The binary oppositions occur between males and females. At the beginning, the cartoon shows a male (Danny) that has woken up in a dirty place, with messy hair whereas in contrast a female( Sandy) has woken up in a princess lady like way and in a clean room. She portrayed the personally of a princess. She was looking all cleaned. Conflicts were obviously portrayed between the female gangs and the male gang. However conflicts are also portrayed between ladies. One of the lady gangs are called Pink Ladies and the male gang T-Birds. The colour stereotype is noticed as ladies were in the pink car and men in the blue car. Males were in dark clothes/ less colourful clothes whereas females wore colourful clothes. Boys were also rebels and females were sweethearts . On the other hand we acknowledge that there are good girls but bad girls too giving us an insight into the characters once again.
Twilight:
The binary oppositions that occurred in the opening of this film are:
Animals vs humans
Vampire vs humans
Parents vs kids
Mother vs father
Big town vs small town
Insider( locals) vs outsider (outcasts)
Hot vs Cold
Black clothes vs Mustard jacket
Cars vs truck
all of these binary oppositions gives us an insight into the conflict that will emerge in the movie.
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