In the film Wonder by Stephen Chbosky music contributes significantly to the character development of Auggie Pullman, the protagonist. Auggie is a ten-year-old boy suffering from Treacher Collings Syndrome who tries to find his place in the world. The following text is going to focus on three songs of the film that present Auggie’s personal growth from the beginning to the end of the film.
The main aim of this paper is to show that Auggie’s development can be clearly seen in music. Marcelo Zarvos, the composer, uses various techniques of film music to highlight Auggie’s feelings and actions, which I would like to investigate based on three different songs.
At first, I am going to outline the stages of Auggie’s development referring to the plot. Afterwards, I am going to analyse and interpret the songs Ordinary Kid, Break the Rules and Graduation concerning its mood, structure and instrumentation. Each of the songs marks a certain point in Auggie’s life; therefore, they are adequate to keep track of Auggie’s process of growth to maturity. Finally, I am going to present that the interplay of mood, structure and instrumentation shape Auggie’s character and also help the audience to empathize with him.
For my analysis, I am going to examine the musical score of the film based on the theory of musical equilibration of Daniela and Bernd Willimek from their book “Musik und Emotionen: Studien zur Strebetendenz-Theorie” and the film scoring composition concepts of Stuart Fischoff from “The Evolution of Music in Film and its Psychological Impact on Audiences”.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Stages of Development
1.1 Insecurity
1.2 Despair
1.3 Gaining Trust
1.4 Misery
1.5 Confidence
1.6 Respect
1.7 Delight
2. Song Analysis & Interpretation
2.1 Ordinary Kid
2.2 Break the Rules
2.3 Graduation
3. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper explores the integral role of film music in character development, specifically examining how the musical score in the film "Wonder" mirrors the personal evolution of the protagonist, Auggie Pullman. By analyzing three distinct musical pieces, the study demonstrates how shifts in mood, structure, and instrumentation provide insight into Auggie’s emotional journey from insecurity to self-acceptance.
- Theoretical application of musical equilibration and film scoring composition concepts.
- Chronological analysis of narrative-linked musical motifs.
- Exploration of character psychology through musical expression.
- Examination of the interplay between onscreen action and auditory feedback.
- The role of specific musical techniques like "underscoring," "Mickey Mousing," and "characterization."
Excerpt from the book
2.1 Ordinary Kid
The song starts with flat chords played by strings that are getting more and more intense in volume. At the same time, the viewer sees a night sky and an astronaut moving up slowly as the volume increases. It seems as if the flat chords represent weightlessness; In fact, there is no key change, no variation and no melody—it is just the strings that create an atmosphere of solitude. The composer clearly has applied the technique Underscoring which is used to articulate and punctuate mood mainly through flat chords. Furthermore, using only one single instrument (strings) colours the mood blue (Fischoff 13).
When the astronaut starts moving down again the volume decreases; the viewer suddenly sees Auggie jumping up and down his bed while wearing an astronaut helmet. Corresponding to Auggie’s movement, the strings play a stable rhythmical figure of quavers. In this case, the composer used Mickey Mousing to visualize Auggie’s movement in music (Fischoff 11). This theme also provides the foundation for the song because it is first thing to be heard and then more and more instruments join in. According to Fischoff, strings are the perfect instruments when accompanying a dialogue, which is exactly what happens in this scene (Fischoff 9). While the viewer sees different pictures of Auggie’s life, Auggie introduces himself to the audience.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter highlights the fundamental role of music as a "leading character" in film and outlines the methodological approach to analyzing Auggie Pullman's development in Wonder.
1. Stages of Development: This chapter categorizes Auggie's personal journey into seven distinct emotional states, ranging from initial insecurity and despair to ultimate respect, delight, and self-confidence.
2. Song Analysis & Interpretation: This chapter performs a detailed auditory analysis of three key songs—Ordinary Kid, Break the Rules, and Graduation—mapping their structural elements to Auggie’s growth.
3. Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the findings, confirming that the film's musical score effectively uses modulation and motifs to reflect the protagonist's internal emotional shift.
Keywords
Wonder, Auggie Pullman, film music, character development, Marcelo Zarvos, underscoring, Mickey Mousing, characterization, musical equilibration, emotional journey, film scoring, composition, narrative structure, tonic triad, subdominant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on how the musical score of the film "Wonder" actively participates in the character development of the protagonist, Auggie Pullman, by reflecting his personal growth throughout the movie.
Which specific film and composer are analyzed?
The study analyzes the film "Wonder" (directed by Stephen Chbosky) and the film score composed by Marcelo Zarvos.
What is the primary research goal?
The primary goal is to demonstrate that Auggie’s development from a shy, insecure boy to a confident individual can be clearly tracked and understood through the shifts in mood, structure, and instrumentation of the film's music.
Which scientific theories support this analysis?
The analysis is grounded in the theory of musical equilibration by Daniela and Bernd Willimek and the film scoring composition concepts developed by Stuart Fischoff.
What aspects of the songs are examined in the main body?
The author examines the mood, structure, and instrumentation of three specific songs—"Ordinary Kid," "Break the Rules," and "Graduation"—to show their connection to the plot.
How is the analysis structured?
The paper follows a chronological approach, outlining the stages of Auggie's personal development first, followed by a song-by-song interpretation that aligns with the musical progression of the film.
What does the "Ordinary Kid" track signify in terms of film technique?
In "Ordinary Kid," the author identifies the use of "underscoring" to create an atmosphere of solitude and "Mickey Mousing" to synchronize the music with Auggie’s physical movements on screen.
Why is the transition from the tonic to the dominant triad significant?
According to the cited Willimek theory, the transition from the tonic to the dominant is used to express contradiction and inner conflict, which reflects Auggie’s struggle with moving from his protected past to his unknown future.
How does the track "Break the Rules" represent a breakthrough for the protagonist?
The track marks Auggie’s increased confidence, expressed through higher intensity, volume, and a shift in singing style from whispering to belting, as he finally feels accepted by his peers.
What is the significance of the subdominant chord in the final track, "Graduation"?
The subdominant, used in the reprise of the main theme, serves as a "calm anchor" that resolves previous musical conflict, signaling Auggie's successful growth and newfound reassurance.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2020, The personal evolution of August Pullman presented in the score of "Wonder" by Stephen Chbosky, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1289046
