Media Theory: Narrative Theories - "Stan" by Eminem

Media Theory: Narrative Theories - "Stan" by Eminem

Tzvetan Todorov's Theory

1. Equilibrium:- Stan (Devon Sawa) is obsessively writing to his idol, Slim Shady (Eminem), as well as trying to look like him. His pregnant girlfriend (Dido) can sense that something is wrong.
2. Disruption:- Stan's behaviour becomes more violent and out-of-control as his girlfriend desperately tries to help him. One night, she sneaks into the basement and finds Stan's "shrine" of Slim, but, he finds her and stuffs her in the boot of their car and drives away in the rain.
3. Resolution:- Stan yells into his recorder-microphone in his car about how frustrated he is that Slim didn't respond to his letters earlier. He then drives off the bridge and into the river. The car is found by the authorities and the case is televised on the news. Slim finally receives Stan's letters and writes back, saying he is flattered by his dedication but suggests that he receive help as he seems like a troubled man, only to realise to late that Stan is dead as he sees his death was televised on the news.
4. New Equilibrium:- Stan's little brother, Matthew, also a fan of Slim's ("a bigger fan than he is", according to Stan), mourns his older brother's death at his grave and reveals to his concerned relative that he also looks Stan and Slim to express his own dedication to the both of them. It seems as though Stan's little brother might follow in his older brother's footsteps.

Roland Barthes' Theory

I believe the narrative of this music video is an open text because, while in the end Stan is dead, his little brother, Matthew, is hinted to possibly follow in his brother's footsteps of being a fan of Slim, though this is left as an unanswered enigma (until the "sequel" track, "Bad Guy" by Eminem).

Vladimir Propp's Theory

1. The Hero (Protagonist):- Stan
2. The Villain (Antagonist):- Stan
3. The Donor (Provider):- Stan's girlfriend (tries to be)
4. The Helper:- Stan's girlfriend (tries to be)
5. The Father Figure:- Slim Shady
6. The Dispatcher:- None
7. The Princess:- Stan's girlfriend
8. The False Hero:- Stan/Matthew (Stan's little brother)(?)

The Three Act Structure

1. The Set-Up:- Introduction to Stan, looking in a mirror after dyeing his blonde like Slim Shady. Introduction to Stan's girlfriend, who is concerned for her boyfriend and needs to "go". Stan goes to the basement/his shrine of Slim to write a letter to him, in the hopes that he will write back.
2. The Confrontation:- Stan continues to write to Stan while receiving no reply each time. The longer he waits and the more he writes, the more broken-down and violent he becomes. His girlfriend tries to help him, to no avail, as he answers back with violent behaviour.
3. The Midpoint:- Stan's girlfriend sneaks into the basement one night, only to find his Slim shrine and finds out he's obsessed. Stan catches her in the act.
4. The Climax:- Stan traps his girlfriend in the trunk of his car and drives off. He screams a final message to Slim into his recorder before driving off a bridge. Slim Shady later writes a late reply to Stan's letters only to realise that he is dead. Matthew is hinted to follow in his brother's footsteps.

Claude Levi-Strauss' Theory of Binary Oppositions

Dominant:- Stan - strong enough to cause damage when reacting violently and to restrain his pregnant girlfriend and trap her in the boot of his car - able-bodied - male - white - heterosexual (has a girlfriend) - sings the crazed parts of the song; Slim Shady - successful singer - sings the final, less-crazed/calm verse of the song

Subordinate:- Stan's girlfriend - pregnant - unable to properly protect herself from Stan - sings "Thank You" by Dido (herself), a rather calming song; Matthew - child - only featured in the video 2-3 times - non-speaking role