Three and five act structures are key devices used in effective storytelling. They give narratives and stories a pleasing base structure upon which the weave the elements to create a unique viewpoint. The Greatest Showman has a clear five act structure used beneath all the songs and showy costumes to make it stand up as a narrative. Act 1 - Childhood We see the challenges that Barnum went through as a child. It shows him as a poor tailor’s son struggling to make ends meet. It shows him meeting Charity for the first time. It also shows his father getting ill and eventually passing away, and how he had to beg on the streets for food. Towards the end of the act we see Barnum heading off to make his fortune on the railways. Act 2 - Attempt One We see Barnum come back a wealthy man to marry Charity. They build a home together and have two daughters. Barnum is working at a trading company, but they all get fired when the company’s flotilla sink. Barnum uses the bonds fo...
Hi Nelly,
ReplyDeleteThis is some really comprehensive research. I’ve not got a lot to add but here are a few suggestions:
Books
Scapegoat : how we are failing disabled people - contains a cultural history of disability and ableism
Hideous progeny : disability, eugenics, and classic horror cinema (available from Epsom) has a horror focus but should be relevant in terms of cultural anxieties, freak shows etc.
Eugenics
You might want to look into eugenics which is the bogus science that influenced a lot of culture and politics towards disabled people in the 20th century, particularly the Nazis. There’s a good summary in this article: The eugenics movement and attitudes towards people with disabilities
Journals
There is some academic wiring on Game of Thrones and disability which you can find in our online journals search:
"game of thrones" disability
If you need anything else, you can reach me via aday7@uca.ac.uk or email gatewayrochester@uca.ac.uk to arrange a tutorial.
Thanks,
Andrew