Présentation minimaliste

Love in a nutshell

Meetings- Love and Friendship

Introduction

How can the complexity and paradoxes of love be expressed ?

Plan

1. Pride and Prejudice2. Romeo and Juliet painting 3. West Side Story 4. Scott Poem 5. Annabel Lee

Pride and Prejudice

- In 1813, the famous novel : Pride and Prejudice was published for the first time. This classic novel of English literature is written by Jane Austen, an author famous for her stories describing the life of English society of her time. But today she remains very famous for her love stories like : sense and sensibility, emma, persuasion... But today we will focus on Pride and Prejudice. - When the 5 Bennet girls began their quest to find the ideal partner, Elizabeth Bennet, an intelligent young woman, and Mr. Darcy, a cocky and rich man, meet at a ball, the chemistry isn't there between them, which will lead to a lot of obstacles, prejudices and misunderstandings before they finally confess their love for each other. - At a ball at the residence of Mr. Bingley, a close friend of Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet is introduced to Mr. Darcy by her friend, Mrs. Long. The first interaction is marked by a certain coldness, with Darcy appearing haughty and arrogant, which irritates Elizabeth. Mrs. Elizabeth begins to form a negative image of this man. For his part, Darcy remains distant and prefers to observe than engage in conversations with the other guests. Their first meeting suggests the beginning of tension between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.

Meet Cute

The meet cute is a charming introduction between characters often seen in romantic movies or books. It serves as the initial encounter between two potential lovers and is a defining moment in the romantic comedy genre. This scene sets up the framework for their relationship, laying the foundation for their future romance.

Pull / Pull

Push / Push

Neutral / Nervous

Push / Pull

Pride and Prejudice

Message : This document actually represents : the impact of the first impression and the prejudices that can result from it. This first impression takes place during The "meet cute". This extract from Pride and prejudice, represents the meet cute of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, the two seem from the start very cold towards each other and don’t like each other. This first encouther correspond to the meet cute : Push / Push. What it prove that they have a very bad first impression of each other. The text convey a message that we should not stop at first impressions because they are sometimes misleading. Indeed, at this point Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy form a quick idea of each other based on superficial treatures. Mr. Darcy is seen as arrogant and distant, while Elizabeth is judged coldly by Darcy. But this first meeting does not really reflect their true characters.

Why I like : This classic work is truly one of my favorites. Even if the time in which the story takes place is old and seems boring, Jane Austen attracts her reader in a captivating way with this story of love based on hatred which will transform into romantic passion. Also, I really liked that the author created an intelligent woman with character. For the 19th century I find it very innovative and refreshing. Moreover, I really like the complexity of their relationship, they didn't fall in love at first sight from the start which shows that they will turn around and that they will both have to make an effort to finally get out together. Also even if they are not from the same social category, Darcy belongs to a very rich family while Elizabeth belongs to an ordinary family. To prove their love they will have to fight against this standards. I think this fight is incredible and I can therefore say that the Push / Push cute meets are my favorites.

Response to the problem + Documents : This document, first, shows that a first meeting is very important in the future of relationships and can be complex. But also that it is complicated for them to be together because of their social categories. Which also causes the fact that they cannot be together at the beginning, we find this same problem in West Side Story, which I will present to you later. But indeed, in WSS Maria and Tony can’t be a couple because of their origins. Prejudices and impossible love are therefore present in these two works. As the story progresses, the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy evolves through a series of twists and turns, challenges... Their love story is rich in paradoxes : they are both attracted to each other and repelled,they judge each other based on their social prejudices, but eventually overcome these obstacles through true love. This novel by Jane Austen therefore shows how love can be both a source of joy and pain, happiness and conflict, while capturing the power of human feelings.

Romeo and Juliet painting

To present this work to you I will present it to you with a prologue, because Romeo and Juliet is initially a theatrical work and in the theater the prologues allow us to introduce the context and the characters. Here is :

Romeo and Juliet painting

Message : Through this work, we clearly understand that the painter wanted to connect the story of Romeo and Juliet and the very famous story of the Garden of Eden. Indeed, the connection between "Romeo and Juliet" and the Garden of Eden in religion is shown through innocence and tragedy because of temptation. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve lived in complete innocence until they disobeyed God by eating the fruit of the tree that was forbidden to them, leading to them receiving a “malediction.” Similarly, Romeo and Juliet, in their forbidden love, defy social and familial norms, and their tragic story leads to their deaths, symbolizing the loss of innocence and the destruction of their ideal world of love. Indeed its message is very well transcribed thanks to the nature that surrounds them. We therefore understand that the painter is trying to link the tragic destiny of Romeo and Juliet to that of Adam and Eve through nature and religion (purity/innocence). Because of their disobedience, there will be repercussions on their future, an inevitable end awaits them.

Why I like : Already when I was little I knew the story of Romeo and Juliet, but without knowing the tragic ending. It was said that it was a fusional and passionate love from the first sight with the person you love : love at first sight. Every little girl dreams of this story : a prince who, no matter the obstacles he encounters, fights to find his beloved at the top of a tower, like Rapunzel, or from a balcony, like Romeo ad Juliet … And through this painting all these stories from my childhood came back to me. It’s exactly the fairy tale we imagined as a little girl. And so I am grateful to this painting for reminding me of that moment.

Connection with others : Originally in Shakespeare's version of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo climbed up to find Juliet at her window and not at her balcony. Since its publication, many artists, like painters, have been interested in this story. These painters began to softly modify the famous scene where Romeo and Juliet meet. It has now become the balcony scene. Without these painters who left legacy of these modifications, perhaps the balcony scene would be the window scene, and let's face it, it's so much more romantic to reunite on a balcony than to reunite at a window. Today for example, even if the reunion of Tony and Maria was also slightly modified compared to that of the balcony, because they find themselves in the fire staircase, perhaps it would have been totally different and it would not have occurred. I also want to remind that the film poster represents The Fire Staircase, which show the importance of the balcony scene.

West Side Story

What is it about : West Side Story the famous Musical of 1961. This movie was made by Robert Wise. I want to mention the amazing choreographer : Jerome Robbins who made this film more incredible and which allows the film to be impactful during this era. In the fact this movie transmet a symbollic message about the peace and the acceptation of every culture during the baby boomer generation.

Message : Love is something we all share naturally, unlike anger which we learn. We should work against ignorance and try to understand different cultures because it helps us understand each other better, whether we're part of a group or on our own. This love story is loved by everyone, no matter where they're from or how old they are. Dance and music are things everyone can enjoy, no matter their background.

West Side Story

Why I like it : First of all, I would like to highlight that I don't particularly like musicals. I think it uses songs too often to talk about their love and I find it stupid. But in this adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, even if the couple of Tony and Maria is too cheesy, I want to say that I was captivated by each dance movement that the actors did and that sometimes I even sang music from the balcony scene : Maria. But I want to say that my favorite song is : Gee, officer Krupke ! At this precise moment the directors have managed to "restore" the image that the gangs have because we feel closer to them, they have a painful past which has led them to this point and we must respect them like everyone else. Also I love how the light, the sound and the cameras angles are made, The scene where I noticed the efforts the most it’s when the two leaders of the gang are been shot dead. When Tony flees the lights follows him and shows his clumsy movements. And before that the members of the gang are snap one’s fingers, an intimidating sign that brings tension. Also in West Side Story it's the first time that I explored the importance of camera angle shots and I want to say that it's really important, with for example the most important shot in my opinion which is the bokeh shot when Tony and Maria see each other for the first time and we have the impression that they are alone in the world, they were in their love bubbles. Thanks to this plan, they only have eyes for each other. And once again I am really impressed by all these dances which were calculated perfectly by the choreographers and I cannot imagine the time it took them to learn and all the takes they had to do again and again. PS : How can you not love it if icons like Barack Obama and Michael Jackson loved this film.

Relationship with others : As I said before, perhaps the very famous balcony scene could have been completely different if the painters of the time had not transmitted their modifications of this scene with their paintings depicting Romeo and Juliet. But I also want to say that the story of Pride and Prejudice is still very similar to that of Romeo and Juliet (and their adaptation : WSS). Indeed, even if in pride and prejudice, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy do not like each other at all at first glance : Push / push unlike in West Side Story where they are mutually attracted from the start: Pull / pull, like end in pride and prejudice they end up confessing their passionate love but in the story Elizabeth must still face Darcy's aunt who does not want their union because their social class is too different, a discrimination of social rank . In WSS Tony and Maria have to face gangs who do not want their union due to their difference of origin, racial discrimination. These two works therefore fight for causes which are always very controversial and which are often the cause of disagreement among families for loving unions. Ultimately WSS explores the paradoxes of love through the conflict between the Jets and the Sharks. While Tony and Maria love each other passionately despite the barriers that separate them, their love is also a source of conflict and tragedy, illustrating the duality of love that can both unite and divide.

Scott Pilgrim

Scott Pilgrim" is a comic book series written and illustrated by Bryan Lee O'Mal-ley. The series was published from 2004 to 2010. It consists of six volumes. The story takes place in Toronto and follows the adventures of Scott Pilgrim, a young twenty-three-year-old musician who falls in love with Ramona Flowers, a mysterious package delivery girl. To be with Ramona, Scott must defeat her seven ex-boyfriends. Each volume in the series features a confrontation between Scott and one of Ramona's exes, leading to epic fights and comic situations. The extract I chose corresponds to their first meeting : their meet cute. And we can say that this meet cute corresponds to the push / pull where Scott acts awkward and interested unlike Ramona who seems cold and disinterested.

This document is a good adition because : I chose this comic because as the central plot shows, Scott must constantly fight against Ramona's exes to hope that she accepts his love. I therefore find that it well illustrates the complications of romantic relationships including : conflicts, contradictory desires and compromises. I also find that it relates well to Pride and Prejudice because these two works explore the theme of personal development. In "Pride and Prejudice", the love story between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy is influenced by their personal evolution and their ability to overcome their prejudices. In "Scott Pilgrim", Scott's love for Ramona pushes him to confront his own inside demons and develop personally. But I also chose these different documents because they all trace a love story in different centuries : Pride and Prejudice between the 18th and 19th centuries, West Side Story the 20th century and Scott Pilgrim the 21st century. But despite everything in each of these stories, no matter the obstacles they encounter, love is stronger than anything.

Annabel Lee

"Annabel Lee" is one of Edgar Allan Poe's most famous and moving poems. First published in 1849, it is often considered one of the best examples of American Romantic poetry. The poem explores themes of love, death and loss, while capturing the essence of the fragile beauty of youth. The narrator and Annabel Lee fell in love when they were young. Their love is called into question by the death of Annabel Lee, but the narrator claims that his bond with Annabel Lee was so strong that, even after her death, they are still together.

This document is a good addition because : Through this poem I want to show that even a writer of the Gothic novel theme, appropriated love to make a poem. Even if the theme is a little bit gloomy, I found it very moving that the narrator fights for love, and once again, love is stronger than anything, stronger than death. I also want to say that even in the film West Side Story the tone was poetic, which is why I think this document corresponds perfectly. Indeed in this poem despite the painful situation Allan Poe takes care to make the moment more melodious and sweet with his auditory effects, with the use of anapests and iambics, internal rhymes, repetitions, assonances... And it's the same for West Side Story, throughout the songs we found these same rhythms which makes the moment softer even during a moment of struggle, of sadness... Love is always more beautiful if it is told poetically, even if it is complex.

Conclusion

I must still say that I am a lover of love. But I want to emphasize that today, love is quite controversial and very publicized, in fact we find love everywhere : in movies, books, blogs, songs. There is even a holiday for love: Valentine's Day, to show how famous and publicized love is. But on the other hand, love allows people to connect together, to help each other. Even if it is a little too publicized, without love, life would not be joyful anymore. Because love is not just for couples but is also transmitted with family, friends, animals, and even self-love. But also I am grateful for this sequence, because I was able to learn the term « meet cute ». I'm a fan of cinema, and I've seen a lot of romantic films, and when a future couple meeting for the first time, there was always love at first sight or a fight or awkwardness... And I would never have knew how to give a name if I hadn't worked on this subject. Now I could praise me about this to others and claim that I'm more cultured from a cinematic point of view.

Annabel Lee BY EDGAR ALLAN POE It was many and many a year ago, In a kingdom by the sea, That a maiden there lived whom you may know By the name of Annabel Lee; And this maiden she lived with no other thought Than to love and be loved by me. I was a child and she was a child, In this kingdom by the sea, But we loved with a love that was more than love— I and my Annabel Lee— With a love that the wingèd seraphs of Heaven Coveted her and me. And this was the reason that, long ago, In this kingdom by the sea, A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling My beautiful Annabel Lee; So that her highborn kinsmen came And bore her away from me, To shut her up in a sepulchre In this kingdom by the sea.

The angels, not half so happy in Heaven, Went envying her and me— Yes!—that was the reason (as all men know, In this kingdom by the sea) That the wind came out of the cloud by night, Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee. But our love it was stronger by far than the love Of those who were older than we— Of many far wiser than we— And neither the angels in Heaven above Nor the demons down under the sea Can ever dissever my soul from the soul Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side Of my darling—my darling—my life and my bride, In her sepulchre there by the sea— In her tomb by the sounding sea.

Pull / Pull

The characters are instantly and mutually attracted to each other, it’s love at first sight. This meeting is often due to love at first sight and is generally too cheesy for the spectator. This meeting can be characterized by the film: “Romeo+Juliet”.

Push / Push

The characters are instantly and mutually disinterested in each other, often due to a bad first impression during this meeting. This meeting can be characterized by the film: “LaLaLand”.

Push / Pull

One charcater is instantly attracted and seeks to attract the attention of the other but the other character is disinterested and is hard to approach. This meeting is very well represented in the film: “The Notebook”.

Prologue of the balcony scene

This scene takes place in the Capulet orchard, on Juliet's balcony, with a natural setting create a mirror of the famous Garden of Eden, showing the temptation and the tragic ending that will affect the lovebirds. Highlighting: Romeo, the brave, ready to risk his life to reach the one he loves. And Juliette, the innocent, fighting through a touching monologue. This crucial moment increase the dramatic irony, with Juliet deep in thought, who not noticing Romeo's presence even if he is clearly seen. We will therefore see in this fairy tail (magical) setting, the tragic encounter between a princess and a charming prince, between innocence and bravery. Hiding the omen of a tragic destiny for these star-crossed lovers.

Neutral / Nervous

Where one character awkwardly tries to hide their attraction while the other character is oblivious to the situation. This encounter is very well represented in the film: “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”.

What is love ?

Love is an intense emotional state where one experiences many feelings, ranging from affection and tenderness to passion and desire. It is a deep bond between individuals, based on respect, trust and the sincere desire to see others flourish. Love today is transcribed everywhere, through: films, novels, comics, songs, poems, painting...