In my term paper, I will examine the narrative structure in “Memento“ which switches between chronological narration and reversed temporality. With respect to this unique narrative structure, I will take a closer look at the black-and-white and colour sequences, the opening sequence and the outstanding and resolvent scene 22/A, especially regarding the cinematography used. In the further course of my work, you will learn of the essential role of the unreliable narrator regarding my thesis and finally what impact the fabula construction in “Memento” has on his viewers.
„Causes and their effects are basic to narrative, but they take place in time“. This quotation from Bordwell’s and Thompson’s work Film Art, an Introduction does not only show a fundamental principle of narration but furthermore depicts a possibility to manipulate the spectator’s understanding of a story. Christopher Nolan’s “Memento” is one example of what a complex narration can be.
The film shows two separate stories of Leonard, an ex-insurance investigator who suffers anterograde amnesia and attempts to find the murderer of his wife, which is the last thing he can remember. On the one hand there is a forward moving storyline, the black-and-white scenes while the other one, the colour sequences, tells the story backwards. Although the story behind the film is rather simple, the narrative structure is extremely complex and clever, which demands constant attention from its spectators.
This term paper will deal with the methods used in “Memento” which mislead the audience’s understanding of the story. My thesis is therefore: Narrative complexity in Christopher Nolan’s “Memento” – Narrative structure, Narrator’s unreliability, fabula construction and cinematography as key elements for the spectator’s manipulation.
Apart from the film “Memento”, the central literature I will work with is the essay by Stefano Ghislotti “Narrative Comprehension Made Difficult: Film, Form and Mnemonic Devices in ‘Memento’”, the documentary “Anatomy of a Scene” about the making of “Memento”, a text by Andy Klein named "Everything You Wanted to Know about ‘Memento’” and different filmic narrativity by Jakob Lothe, David Herman and Edward Branigan. In addition to that, there is a self-generated sequence analysis attached to the term paper in order to have an overall view of the scenes I take a closer look at.
Table of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Narrative structure in Memento
- 2.1 Colour scenes
- 2.2 Black and White scenes
- 2.3 The opening sequence
- 2.4 Scene 22/A
- 3 Narratology in films: Focalization
- 3.1 The unreliable narrator in Memento
- 4 Fabula construction in Memento and its effect on the spectator
- 5 Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper aims to analyze the narrative complexity in Christopher Nolan's Memento, focusing on how the film manipulates the spectator's understanding of the story. It examines the interplay of narrative structure, unreliable narration, fabula construction, and cinematography in achieving this effect.
- Narrative Structure and Temporality in Memento
- The Role of the Unreliable Narrator
- Fabula Construction and its Impact on the Viewer
- Cinematography and its Contribution to Narrative Complexity
- Analysis of Key Scenes in Memento
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the central argument: that the narrative complexity in Christopher Nolan's Memento, achieved through its unique narrative structure, unreliable narrator, fabula construction, and cinematography, directly manipulates the audience's comprehension. The chapter introduces the film's premise—an ex-insurance investigator with anterograde amnesia searching for his wife's murderer—and highlights the complexity of its dual narrative strands (forward-moving black and white scenes and backward-moving color scenes). It also outlines the theoretical framework and sources used in the analysis, including works by Bordwell and Thompson, Stefano Ghislotti, and Andy Klein, emphasizing the importance of understanding the film's structure for a complete understanding of its narrative strategies. The chapter lays the groundwork for the subsequent chapters' deeper dives into specific aspects of the film's narrative design.
2 Narrative structure in Memento: This chapter delves into the unconventional narrative structure of Memento, explaining the alternating use of black and white (forward-moving) and color (backward-moving) sequences. It highlights how this structure, though seemingly non-linear, is actually meticulously linear, with each scene depending on its relationship with the preceding and following scenes. The chapter utilizes Andy Klein's numbering/lettering system to illustrate the film's chronological order and emphasizes the importance of this structure in creating a puzzle for the viewer to solve. The chapter lays the groundwork for later discussions about the impact of this unconventional arrangement on the audience's understanding and engagement with the narrative.
2.1 Colour scenes: This section focuses on the backward-moving color sequences, which constitute the larger part of the film. It explains how the story starts at the end of its chronological order and proceeds backward, with each scene providing more information about the events leading to the initial act of violence. The use of matching shots at the beginning and end of each sequence is discussed as a crucial device for guiding the viewer through this complex temporal structure. The analysis underscores the color sequences' role in gradually revealing information and making the audience actively reconstruct the narrative, creating a puzzle-solving experience.
Keywords
Narrative structure, unreliable narrator, anterograde amnesia, fabula construction, cinematography, temporal manipulation, spectator manipulation, non-linear narrative, Memento, Christopher Nolan.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Narrative Complexity in Christopher Nolan's *Memento*
What is the main topic of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the narrative complexity in Christopher Nolan's film Memento. It focuses on how the film uses narrative structure, unreliable narration, fabula construction, and cinematography to manipulate the viewer's understanding of the story.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include narrative structure and temporality in Memento, the role of the unreliable narrator, fabula construction and its impact on the viewer, the contribution of cinematography to narrative complexity, and an analysis of key scenes within the film.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into several chapters: an introduction outlining the central argument and methodology; a chapter dedicated to the film's narrative structure, specifically the alternating use of black and white (forward-moving) and color (backward-moving) sequences; a section focusing on the backward-moving color sequences; a chapter on narratology and the unreliable narrator; a chapter on fabula construction and its effect on the spectator; and finally, a conclusion.
How does the film's narrative structure work?
Memento employs a unique non-linear narrative structure. It uses alternating black and white (forward-moving) and color (backward-moving) sequences. While seemingly disjointed, this structure is meticulously crafted, with each scene carefully placed to build the narrative puzzle for the viewer.
What is the role of the unreliable narrator in *Memento*?
The protagonist's anterograde amnesia makes him an unreliable narrator. The audience pieces together the story alongside him, experiencing the confusion and uncertainty that his condition creates.
How does the film manipulate the spectator?
The film manipulates the spectator by presenting a fragmented and incomplete narrative. The audience is actively involved in reconstructing the story, much like the protagonist, creating a puzzle-solving experience. This is achieved through the unconventional narrative structure, unreliable narration, and carefully chosen cinematic techniques.
What cinematic techniques are analyzed in the paper?
The paper analyzes the use of color and black and white sequences, matching shots used to guide the viewer through the non-linear timeline, and how these contribute to the overall narrative effect.
What theoretical frameworks are used in the analysis?
The analysis draws upon works by Bordwell and Thompson, Stefano Ghislotti, and Andy Klein, focusing on narrative theory and film analysis.
What are the key scenes analyzed in the paper?
The paper analyzes specific scenes, including the opening sequence and scene 22/A, to illustrate the film's narrative techniques.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include narrative structure, unreliable narrator, anterograde amnesia, fabula construction, cinematography, temporal manipulation, spectator manipulation, non-linear narrative, Memento, and Christopher Nolan.
- Quote paper
- Claudia Rumms (Author), 2015, Narrative Complexity in Christopher Nolan’s "Memento". Narrative Structure, Unreliability, Fabula Construction and Cinematography as Key Elements for the Spectator’s Manipulation, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/306783
