Postmodernism

Question 1

What is postmodernism?

Answer 1

• Theory that works on a structural, cultural and political level.
• Greater sense of ‘anything goes’.
• Mix and match approach.
• Triumph of style over substance.

Question 2

What is originality?

Answer 2

• Suggested that it’s increasingly more difficult to produce original texts.
• Hence a feature of postmodernism: focus on re-production of previous works.
• Authenticity/originality isn’t so obvious.

Question 3

What is accelerated culture and fragmentation?

Answer 3

• In a media saturated world, people can ‘channel hop’ between TV channels or click between internet sites while listening to music on an iPod and checking texts.
• Affects our sense of time and attention span.
• Our culture speeds up (accelerated culture) + has become more fragmented.

Question 4

What is ‘dumbing down’?

Answer 4

• As a result of postmoderism, diff media texts are being produced which merge and blend across boundaries, style and genre, often on a global scale.
• Some say this can lead to an oversimplification of the content/message (dumbing down).

Question 5

List eight identifiable characteristics of postmodern texts.

Answer 5

• Intertextuality
• Bricolage
• Merging of genres, style and media
• Elements that draw attention to the construction of media texts
• Playful or ironic elements
• A mixing of ‘high’ or elite culture within popular culture
• Diversity of representation and viewpoints
• Pastiche and parody

Question 6

What is intertextuality?

Answer 6

When a media text uses elements or references from other media texts.

Question 7

What is bricolage?

Answer 7

The process of creating a media text out of a series of artifacts, styles and signs from other media texts or cultural artifacts.

Question 8

What is pastiche?

Answer 8

A creation of a media text out of elements of, or with reference to, other media.

Question 9

What is a parody?

Answer 9

A creation of media text out of elements of, or with reference to, other media texts in a mocking or caricatured way.

Question 10

What is hyper reality? (Baudrillard)

Answer 10

The distinction between the real world and the media world is disappearing.
- A blurring of what is real or represented.

Question 11

What is hegemony? (Gramsci)

Answer 11

How the masses are persuaded to accept (through consensus) the ideas and values of the r/c or dominant elites as presented through cultural institutions.

E.g religious bodies, schools, political groups, the law and mass media.