Exploring the complexity of identity is becoming increasingly important in a globalized world that allows for discussions of diversity and the international success of media that offer these discussions a platform. Streaming services like Prime Video, Paramount+, and Netflix make topics such as these accessible to the general public whilst also being entertaining, provided that one is willing to regularly pay for them. In the episode “Check One, Check Other” (s1e08) of the Netflix series Ginny & Georgia (2021), the titular protagonist Virginia ‘Ginny’ Miller delves into these themes of identity in the poem that she performs in front of her classmates.
The primary objective of this paper is the examination of the portrayal of identity through the conceptual metaphors in Ginny’s poem. As a secondary focus, the performative aspects accompanying these metaphors will be accounted for since the poem is considered to be an example of slam poetry. This will be done by first establishing the necessary theoretical framework in chapter 2, namely an introduction into the concept of identity and its connection to the show’s protagonist Ginny Miller. Furthermore, the genre of slam poetry and its relation to the research question will be covered, followed by a description of the conceptual metaphor. After that, the details concerning the primary source, specifically the context of Ginny’s poem and the transcript that was created for the purpose of analyzing it will be dealt with in chapter 3. In the fourth chapter, an analysis of the conceptual metaphors that are relevant for the expression of identity and their presentation by Ginny will be conducted. Finally, chapter 5 ties in with the original research question, summarizes the results from the previous chapter, and offers an outlook into other research approaches.
Table of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Theoretical Framework
- 2.1 Identity
- 2.2 Slam Poetry
- 2.3 Conceptual Metaphor
- 3 Material
- 3.1 Context of Ginny's Poem (s1e08)
- 3.2 Transcript Details
- 4 Analysis
- 4.1 IDENTITY IS A DESTINATION
- 4.2 IDENTITY IS A PLANT
- 4.3 IDENTITY IS A BOX
- 5 Conclusion
- 6 List of Tables
- 7 Works Cited
- 8 Appendix: Check One, Check Other
Objective & Themes
This paper primarily aims to examine the portrayal of identity through the conceptual metaphors present in Ginny Miller's poem, as featured in the Netflix series "Ginny & Georgia" (s1e08). A secondary focus involves accounting for the performative aspects that accompany these metaphors, considering the poem as an example of slam poetry.
- Identity formation and struggles
- Conceptual metaphor theory (Lakoff's approach)
- Slam poetry as a performative genre
- Linguistic analysis of a literary text (Ginny's poem)
- Representation of biracial identity
- Impact of an unstable childhood on self-perception
Excerpt from the Book
IDENTITY IS A BOX
The most prevalent conceptual metaphor within the poem is IDENTITY IS A BOX, the complexity of which mirrors the complexity of identity itself, which the paragraphs corresponding to tables 3a, 3b, and 3c will show.
The box metaphor is first introduced in line 005, “( 1.6)`BO´xes (---) check `ONE (.) check (--)`Other; (1.3)” (005). The concept of identity or, more specifically, types of identities (target domain) is conceptualized as boxes (source domain) that can be checked, thereby implying the general expectation of identity being an unambiguous matter. This metaphor stems from the fact that forms often require individuals to make choices about their identities in the process of filling them out, for example 'female' vs. 'male' or 'Black' vs. 'White'. The regularity of the consistent talking speed, the interspersed pauses, and the stress on the lexemes “`BO´xes” (005) “, `ONE” (005), and “`Other” (005) suggests a mundanity of the task of ‘box-checking' that is in accordance with the implication that one's “sense of self” (Schaetti 405) is easily quantifiable.
This view of identity as 'clear-cut' is immediately challenged in the succeeding lines. The implicit comparison of ‘box-checking' and the SAT in lines 017 and 018 adds to this by extending the metaphor of self-identification to a test situation:
017 G: prepping for the SAT; just the 'SCAN`tron the BOX` is empty
018 G: and <
As a primarily multiple choice exam which uses Scantron forms that are machine-graded (“How the SAT Is Structured”), the SAT does not allow for ambiguity in the students' answers. Since it tests for the students' levels of preparedness for higher education, non-compliance with the given options can have considerable consequences for their futures. Ginny's hesitation to check the "empty" (017) box and the distress that is caused by the anticipation of negative repercussions becomes evident in the accelerated delivery of line 018 and the prosodic emphasis on “`GLAring” (018) “, `Daring” (018) “, CHOOSE” (018), and “ONE” (018). The rhythm created by the stress pattern and the rhyme of 'glaring' and 'daring' in combination with the accelerated talking speed mimicks the increasing heart and breath rate that are symptomatic of a panic attack (“Panic Disorder"). The micropause before “ONE” (018), the return to the initial speed, and the sinking intonation before the longer pause, on the other hand, mark the end of this episode.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the increasing importance of identity in a globalized world, highlighting the role of media platforms like Netflix, and sets out to examine the portrayal of identity in Ginny Miller's poem via conceptual metaphors and performative aspects.
Chapter 2 Theoretical Framework: This section lays the groundwork for the analysis by defining key concepts: identity (specifically in relation to Ginny Miller's biracial background), the characteristics of slam poetry, and the theoretical framework of conceptual metaphors.
Chapter 3 Material: This chapter details the source material, discussing the specific context of Ginny's poem within "Ginny & Georgia" (s1e08) and explaining the methods used for transcribing the poem for analysis, emphasizing its performative aspects.
Chapter 4 Analysis: This main part of the paper conducts an in-depth analysis of three conceptual metaphors—IDENTITY IS A DESTINATION, IDENTITY IS A PLANT, and IDENTITY IS A BOX—as they are used in Ginny's poem to express her view of identity, alongside their performative presentation.
Chapter 5 Conclusion: The concluding chapter summarizes the paper's findings, affirming that Ginny embraces her hybrid identity rather than conforming to traditional categories, and discusses the auxiliary role of performative aspects in communicating emotional expressions.
Keywords
Identity, Conceptual Metaphors, Ginny's Poem, Ginny & Georgia, Slam Poetry, Performative Aspects, Self-identification, Hybridity, Biracial Identity, Self-perception, Identity Formation, Literary Analysis, Rhetoric, Emotional Engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this paper primarily about?
This paper primarily examines how identity is portrayed in Ginny Miller's poem from the Netflix series "Ginny & Georgia" (s1e08) through the lens of conceptual metaphors and their performative aspects.
What are the central thematic fields?
The central thematic fields include the complexity of identity, the genre of slam poetry, and the theory of conceptual metaphors, all applied to a specific literary analysis of Ginny's poem.
What is the primary objective or research question?
The primary objective is to analyze the portrayal of identity via conceptual metaphors in Ginny's poem, with a secondary focus on the performative aspects that accompany these metaphors as a form of slam poetry.
Which scientific method is used?
The paper employs a qualitative textual analysis approach, specifically applying the theoretical framework of conceptual metaphor theory and linguistic analysis to interpret Ginny's poem within its performative context.
What is covered in the main part?
The main part of the paper, Chapter 4, provides an in-depth analysis of three primary conceptual metaphors used in Ginny's poem to describe identity: IDENTITY IS A DESTINATION, IDENTITY IS A PLANT, and IDENTITY IS A BOX, along with their performative presentation.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key words characterizing this work include Identity, Conceptual Metaphors, Ginny's Poem, Ginny & Georgia, Slam Poetry, Performative Aspects, Self-identification, and Hybridity.
How does Ginny Miller's personal background influence her identity struggles?
Ginny's biracial background (White mother, Black father) and an unstable childhood marked by frequent moves due to her mother's unconventional lifestyle significantly contribute to her struggles with defining and understanding her identity, leading to feelings of confusion and a lack of belonging.
What are the three main conceptual metaphors analyzed in the poem?
The paper analyzes three major conceptual metaphors Ginny uses to express her identity: IDENTITY IS A DESTINATION, IDENTITY IS A PLANT, and IDENTITY IS A BOX.
How does the paper connect Ginny's poem to the genre of slam poetry?
The paper identifies Ginny's poem as slam poetry due to its orally transmitted nature, significant performative aspects like vocal and physical dynamics, its persuasive intent, and the blending of the author's identity with the lyrical I.
What is the significance of the "IDENTITY IS A BOX" metaphor in Ginny's poem?
The "IDENTITY IS A BOX" metaphor is the most prevalent and complex, initially representing identity as unambiguous and quantifiable, but ultimately evolving to signify Ginny's rejection of restrictive categories and her acceptance of her 'otherness' and hybrid identity.
- Quote paper
- Leonie Wagner (Author), 2025, ‘Check One, Check Other’. The Portrayal of Identity in Ginny’s Poem (Ginny & Georgia, Season 1, Episode 8) via Conceptual Metaphors, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1675543
