The following presentation will deal with King Kong’s novelization of the movie script by Delos W. Lovelace (1932) and the 1933 classic film directed by Merian C. Cooper and Schoedsack.
Table of Contents
Detailed Plan for an Oral Presentation
Introduction:
Part One: King Kong as ‘a beast-god’ on Scull Island.
Part Two: Kong as ‘The Eighth Wonder of the world’ in New York
Part Three: Kong’s destruction at Empire State Building. (novel) +Sequence analysis : The end of the movie . Kong at the Empire State Building. (Film)
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This presentation provides a detailed comparative study of the transformation of King Kong from a dominant "beast-god" on Skull Island to a tragic spectacle in New York City, analyzing both the 1933 classic film directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack and its novelization by Delos W. Lovelace.
- The depiction and characterization of King Kong in the source material and film.
- The contrast between Kong's environmental power on Skull Island and his vulnerability in the urban setting of New York.
- The symbolic role of New York City as a force of civilization that leads to Kong's eventual destruction.
- A sequence analysis of the film's climax at the Empire State Building to examine visual storytelling and dramatic impact.
Excerpt from the Book
Part One: King Kong as ‘a beast-god’ on Scull Island.
‘The beast–god lumbered back, beating his breast and indifferent to all his enemy’s blows. His roaring charge carried both fighters hard against the tree in which Ann crouched and that long-tormented pedestal crashed dawn….Any critical observer would have realized that Kong had met enemies of the meat-eater breed before and had worked out a technique of battle which served well when he was not too enraged to use it.’ (King Kong, chapter 13, p.100)
‘When the meat-eater finally stretched out in death, Kong drew close and gazed down with loud cheeps of pleasure. He waggled the broken jaws with satisfaction and looked over towards Ann as though to invite her praise’ (humanization of Kong - He needs Ann’s approval and admiration) (King Kong, chapter 13, p.101)
‘Driscoll had never thought to hear that thunder of rage without terror. But when it beat upon his ears, with its accompanying tattoo of mighty hand upon mighty chest, he was no more than a breach away from a supporting shout.’ (King Kong, chapter 13, p. 116)
Summary of Chapters
Detailed Plan for an Oral Presentation: Outlines the primary goal of comparing the King Kong film and novelization while establishing the historical context of the production.
Introduction: Presents the creative origins of King Kong, focusing on the collaborative vision of Merian C. Cooper and Willis O'Brien during the Great Depression era.
Part One: King Kong as ‘a beast-god’ on Scull Island.: Examines Kong's status as a powerful, autonomous deity within his natural habitat and his initial interactions with threats.
Part Two: Kong as ‘The Eighth Wonder of the world’ in New York: Analyzes the cultural shift as Kong is commodified as entertainment and the symbolic danger posed by the urban landscape.
Part Three: Kong’s destruction at Empire State Building. (novel) +Sequence analysis : The end of the movie . Kong at the Empire State Building. (Film): Investigates the final conflict between nature and civilization, focusing on Kong’s tragic end and the visual composition of the climax.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the core findings, emphasizing how Kong's relocation leads to his loss of dignity, his inability to adapt, and his ultimate demise by civilizing forces.
Keywords
King Kong, Merian C. Cooper, Willis O'Brien, Delos W. Lovelace, Skull Island, New York City, Empire State Building, novelization, 1933 film, Great Depression, beast-god, spectacle, civilization, nature, cinematic analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work provides a detailed comparative study of King Kong’s transition from a dominant creature on Skull Island to a captured attraction in New York City, based on the 1933 film and the novelization.
What are the central themes discussed?
Central themes include the clash between nature and civilization, the commodification of the "other," the socio-cultural context of the Great Depression, and the evolution of Kong as a character.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to analyze how the transition from a primordial environment to a modern city leads to the inevitable destruction of Kong, reflecting contemporary societal anxieties.
Which scientific or analytical methods are applied?
The study employs a comparative approach between the book and the film, alongside a formal sequence analysis of the film's climax to understand its visual and emotional impact.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The body covers Kong's power dynamics on Skull Island, his presentation to the New York public, and the specific cinematic techniques used in the climax at the Empire State Building.
Which keywords define the work?
Keywords include King Kong, cinematic analysis, novelization, Skull Island, Empire State Building, and the struggle between nature and civilization.
How is Kong characterized in the novelization?
In the novelization, Kong is depicted through powerful imagery—such as "mighty hands" and "black monstrous body"—that emphasizes both his god-like status and his eventual tragic insignificance when removed from his domain.
Why is New York City treated as a new character?
The text introduces New York City as an antagonist that represents modern civilization, which ultimately facilitates the capture and destruction of Kong, contrasting with the "wild" nature of Skull Island.
What is the significance of the "Othello-like rage" mentioned in the film analysis?
The author uses this metaphor to describe Kong’s emotional breakdown when he witnesses Ann with another man, illustrating his capacity for human-like emotions and possessiveness.
How does the author interpret the final line "It was beauty killed the beast"?
The interpretation suggests that Kong's destruction is a result of his obsession with protecting Ann, and that the film's creators used this tragedy to reassure Depression-era audiences that civilization would prevail over the unknown.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Lora Cvetanova (Autor:in), 2014, King Kong in the city of New York. Kong's transformation from a ''beast-god'' on Scull Island to an attraction for the New York citizens, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/278623
