#analyzethis

Today, on the rotting cesspool that is Facebook, I came across a picture. It was posted in the manner of a funny celebration of the fact that it is Friday, with all that entails. The accompanying text was straight forward and to the core: “Happy Friday.!!!!”, in juxtaposition with the picture (posted below) the intended interpretation would be: “It is Friday! Go forth, drink and have sex (or connect, dock – whatever word catches your fancy)!”. All well and good – or is it?

What do we see when we really look at this picture? Really look at it – when we break it apart and look at each piece individually? First of all – the location: It is a public place, likely a bus stop. The body language of the couple paints the male as relaxed and confident, almost a bit nonchalant; the female on the other hand is modest – legs crossed, her private parts turned away from the man, as is her torso, whilst her head is leaned slightly towards the male, her eyes slightly downcast in what could be interpreted as submission – but, when all her mannerisms are put together implies a coy, almost seductive undertone. Mutual, shy attraction – the human game.

Then we look at the plug and the socket – the male and the female – the giver and receiver – the sticker and the sticked; and now we encourage the first major problem of the image: The male plug is quite clearly a Type C electrical plug and the female socket is clearly a Type G electrical plug. In a European context the Type C electrical plug is standard on most European countries, with the exception of the UK, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta, whilst the Type G electrical plug is the standard plug in those specific countries listed above – thus one way to interpret the picture is the incompatibility between the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe (or the EU) and thus putting the picture solidly in the wider realm of Brexit commentary. 

But wait: there is more!

Have another look at the female socket. Is it hearing a hijab? The socket types indicated – i have added hyper links to the initial mention of the different socket types that links to a page that shows the different countries that use said type of socket – are not limited to Europe and the UK, but are used widely across the world. Seen from this perspective the picture could be interpreted in a number of ways: 1) Impossible love in the Shakespearian fashion (Romeo and Juliet, anyone), two young lovers are divided by almost unsurmountable differences caused by events outside of their control – the incompatibilities of their families in the case of Romeo and Juliet – and cultural differences or even physical distance in the case of the young lovers in the picture. In both these cases the difficulties could be overcome by the use of a medium – understanding and caring families in the Shakespeare play – and with the help of an adapter in the case in the picture. However, in real life – as in the play – tragedy often ensues, as breaking the norms come with great personal cost (now, adapters aren’t really that expensive – but you know what I mean).

2) The other, more sinister, interpretation of picture is that it is a purely racist statement: that different cultures, different religions, people from different parts of the world are not supposed to mix. That people were created fundamentally different and that trying to bring them together by artificial means are fundamentally wrong. In this interpretation the adapter would be seen as something unnatural – something that breaks the intended order of things. The human equivalent to the adapter would be human studies: the study of racism, gender – human rights, the LGBTQ movement – all the things that cause a change in the established order of things. An order established through the clergy and defined in religion – something that haunts us to this very day. 

I've been shipping Reylo for two years now (and always will be), but I still like to read about other theories just to put things in perspective.

After countless of fan theories, metas and theories later, I am still on this ship. 100%. Why? Because it is (one of the) only theories around which contributes to a better understanding of the story, and provides a comprehensive analysis to support it. An analysis of a complex saga like Star Wars should require basic knowledge of literary elements*. Because, well, that’s how they are put together in the first place, anyways. I’m open to other theories and opinions, as long as they seem credible. So, next time you want to convince me that:

“ Rey is related to Ben, Rey is a Skywalker, Snoke is not dead, Snoke trolled Kylo, Snoke was force-projecting himself, why the dark side will win, why the light side will win, why X will die or why X will live”, feel free to use the following  guide and questions ((specially “characterization”)) before jumping into a conclusion:

Setting

Setting is a description of where and when the  story takes place.

How is the setting created? Consider geography, weather, time of day, social conditions, etc.

What role does setting play in the story? Is it an important part of the plot or theme? Or is it just a backdrop against which the action takes place?

Study the time period which is also part of the setting.

When was the story written? 

Does it take place in the present, the past, or the future?

How does the time period affect the language, atmosphere or social circumstances of the short story? 

Characterization

Characterization deals with how the characters in the story are described.

Who is the main character?

Are the main character(s) and other characters described through dialogue – by the way they speak (dialect or slang for instance)?

Has the characters been described by physical appearance, thoughts and feelings, and interaction (the way they act towards others)? 

Are they static/flat characters who do not change? 

Are they dynamic/round characters who DO change?

What type of characters are they?

What qualities stand out?

Are they stereotypes?

Are the characters believable?

Plot and structure

The plot is the main sequence of events that make up the story. The plot is usually centered around one’s experience or significant moment.

What is the most important event?

How is the plot structured? Is it linear, chronological or does it move around?

Is the plot believable?

Conflict

Conflict or tension is usually the heart of the short story and is related to the main character(s). In a story there is usually one main struggle.

How would you describe the main conflict?

Is it an internal conflict within the character(s)?

Is it an external conflict caused by the surroundings or environment the main character(s) finds himself/herself/themselves in?

Climax

The climax is the point of greatest tension or intensity in the story. It can also be the turning point where events take a major turn as the story races towards its conclusion.

Is there a turning point in the story?

When does the climax take place?

Theme

The theme is the main idea, lesson or message in the short story. It is usually an abstract idea about the human condition, society or life.

How is the theme expressed?

Are any elements repeated that may suggest a theme?

Is there more than one theme?

Style

The style has to do with the vocabulary, use of imagery, tone or feeling of the story. It has to do with the producers attitude towards the subject. In some stories the tone can be ironic, humorous, cold or dramatic.

Is it full of figurative language?

What images does JJ/Rian use?

Do they use a lot of symbolism? Metaphors etc.