In "The Elements of Dramatism", David Blakesley breaks down several
points made by famous philosopher and rhetorician Kenneth Burke. One of the
most useful tools he uses, called the Pentad, can be used to break down an
event or act. This tool, used in the right way, can help a person not only
interpret an act but interpret their interpretations.
The pentad explores 5 themes of any event – the Act, the Scene,
the Agent, the Agency, the Purpose and the Attitude. If you need a simple comparison
we could say it’s a lot like a game of Clue geared towards finding the real
reason behind an act. In Clue, you have to answer the questions: Who did it?
Who was killed? Where it happened? And with what was the murder done?
Unlike Clue however, with the Pentad you must also find out the
Why. Not only that but unlike Clue, you’re not just uncovering a murder but
your uncovering the scenes behind why people do what they do and why they do it
the way they do.
For example, I recently came across this little part in the movie
17 Again and honestly I thought it was a perfect moment to apply the Pentad of
Burke. Watch the scene here:
So now we can divvy up this hilarious clip by the Pentad:
Act: A brave kid takes a stand against the Big Bully of the school.
Scene: Typical jungle of a high school cafeteria
Agent: Zach Ephron <3
Agency: Awesome basketball skills and cutting words
Purpose: 1. Protect his high school son from further being bullied
2. Prove his male dominance
3. Maybe to show off just a bit…
This scene is meant to amuse but I also think it is trying to persuade the viewer into thinking a certain way about bullying. Zac's enemy in this moment is Stan and he brings him down by humiliating said bully in front of the very people Stan has worked so hard to intimidate and impress. Is that really a good way to handle bullying? People who are watching this movie however, are convinced because not only does Zac win with style but he uses facts. Everyone believes him, even the audience not in cafeteria.
This movie, in my opinion, is just to poke fun at typical stereotypes and life in general but by applying Burke’s Pentad, I’ve thought of this moment in a deeper way and now I have more questions. For example, its kind of ironic that Zac used Stan’s own medicine against him, but bullying is still a problem in today’s culture. And it’s changing with technology. Now there are cyber bullies and all sorts of messed up ways kids and adults even, intimidate and ridicule others. Was the way Stan was brought down solve any problems? Or was it just putting another (extremely more attractive) bully to take his spot? How should we tackle bullying? Or should it even be tackled?
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Interesting that you brought up the whole fighting fire with fire thing. Should we bully the bullies or is that just perpetuating the cycle of violence? To digress a little, it made me think of whether the death penalty is justified for murderers. Anyway, great analysis. Also, I really love that movie.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I loved your voice in this analysis. Your writing is entertaining and really gives the reader a look into your personality. I also never would have thought to apply our class readings in this way! I think it's interesting how utilizing the pentad can help break down scenarios and perhaps make us think them through in a different light than we would have otherwise. Also, Ammon's point about the death penalty is very intriguing. When we really break down the pentad of a moment, it can make certain justifications seem less valid.
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