Genre theories

Repertoire of elements

The Repertoire of Elements

-ICONOGRAPHY -CHARACTERS -SETTINGS -IDEOLOGICAL APPROACH -NARRATIVE STRUCTURE

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the physical tools of the trade. In the gangster genre it’s:

Tommy gunspinstripe suitshats cars with running boardsostentatious displays of wealth (jewellery,

flash cars, cigars).

Iconography

Characters

This repertoire of elements covers the theory that a certain genre of film will have similar characters. In a crime film there will often be the Italian mobster.

Settings

This repertoire of elements theory covers the idea that the same genre of film will have similar settings. For example, a Western will have an open landscape with a town built of wood.

Ideological Approach

The same genres have a similar ideological approach. What are themes in crime storytelling?

Death, murder, revenge, love, family loyalty etc.

For example, in Scarface: Fear and intimidation, power and corruption, greed and materialism, friendship and loyalty?

Narrative Structure

Narrative structure in the repertoire of elements is the idea that the same genre will have similar narratives.

Most gangster narratives follow the same recurring pattern:

The gangster will elevate himself out of his working class slum through organised crime.

He will quickly gain wealth, power and status through fear and intimidation.

The gangster will inevitably fall as greed and discontent within his organisation will bring him down.

Finally he will either be killed or arrested at the narrative ending.