Post-Modernism Exam Example

Grace Cuthbertson:

To what extent is Wreck It Ralph a postmodern text?

It can be argued that Wreck It Ralph is a postmodern text, but in my opinion, it is more modern than post modern. It has aspects of both modern and post modern texts though. Despite using intertexuality, nostalgia e.g. pacman and bricolage, which are all aspects of Jameson's post modern theory, this film itself is in fact more modern.

Throughout the film, there are two Grand Narratives. The first one being Religion. Ralph goes into the volcano to sacrifice himself to save the world. This shows him as almost 'Godlike'. This is clearly a grand narrative as it is a large scale theory, influened massively by the progress of history.

The second grand narrative shown is in the last scene. The idea of the female character being a princess and then wanting to become president shows the change in femininity. It is clear that a princess is a very feminine role where as president is quite masculine. The change is shown most obviously through her appearance. This goes against the modernism theory. In the last scene, combining different intertextual ideas and creating a bricolage has become a new way of making “old” feel “new". 

The film shows recycling the gaming culture and create something new that will create nostalgia for a large audience. Dystopian is very Post Modern as that type of audience reject new ideas and don't believe in progression. It can be argued that the film is post modern in the sense that it has an audience within the film as well as the audience watching, but the film follows the story of what looks like a evil person who eventually becomes good and the villain who looks good at the start but is seen as evil by the end of the film. The film follows the equlibrium theroy and has a typical, “happy ending”which is very modern. It also has the propp theory within the characters e.g. hero, villian, helper.

Overall, id say it can be argue that this is not a post-modern film but it only explains and demonstrates post-modern ideas and is in fact more modern than post modern. It does this to appeal to a wider audience.