Abstract
The paper examines the opinions of various critics to determine the secret of "Pulp Fiction"'s popularity and why it captured the attention and imagination of audiences throughout the world. The paper relates that this film was "different" and the writer suggests that it is because of the characters who looked and even acted normal and yet were the most hateful, insidious, murderous, amoral people in the world. The paper opines that in this way, "Pulp Fiction" played on the postmodern fears of its audiences.

From the Paper
"What does the term "post modern" really mean when it comes to film? In the case of "Pulp Fiction" it refers to developing and popularizing a new genre, away from comedies or dramas or so-called "action flicks." In a sense Quentin Tarantino has confirmed Hannah Ahrendt's comments about Adolph Eichmann at his trial: "the banality of evil." Tarantino makes us laugh as often as we cringe in the ordinariness of the evil some of his characters perpetrate. Tarantino won an Academy Award for best screenplay for this movie. But, when one says that it is a "post modern" film, in a sense what is being discussed is not merely a new genre, but the fact that here was a director and screen writer who did not "pay his dues" working his way up the studio ladder. He only had one other film to his credit, the 1992 "Reservoir Dogs" which was the beginning of the amoral plots and characters more fully developed in "pulp Fiction.""

Tags:postmodernism, genre, characters, audience

Abstract
This paper explains that "Pulp Fiction", a symbol of iconography, is a classic Hollywood tale in which the director and co-writer Quentin Tarantino utilizes a variety of scenes and cinematographic techniques to depict violence by showing the clash between good versus evil and exhibiting some of the ironies existing within the American culture. The author points out that the film, which is appraised favorably by critics, uses humor in the midst of depicting violence so that one might presume violence is the 'norm' within the United States rather than an extreme aspect of pop culture. The paper relates that the scene in which the character Jules quotes "Ezekiel", noting that righteous men will always be beset on all sides by the 'tyranny of evil men', shows the paradoxical nature of violence in this movie.

From the Paper
"The cinematography used in this scene is also very telling. The scene captures primarily the faces of each of the characters involved, including Marvin, Jules, Brett and Vincent. The characters faces are lighted in such a manner that they stand out. Another technique can be noted right after the moment Jules kills Brett for cheating Marcellus. As Jules comments that a miracle has occurred, one might also observe that lighting that sort of 'highlights' his head and the face of Vincent, suggesting that they are some type of hero or angel in the face of debauchery."

Tags:iconography, clash, critics, irony, pop

Abstract
The paper reviews Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" that appears to be a meaningless gangster movie ripe with murderous villains. The paper, however, highlights the internal struggle undergone by one of the film's protagonists, Jules. The paper shows how for Jules, a defining moment arises that will alter the direction of his life.

From the Paper
"The defining moment appears early in the film. Jules, a hired gun for the powerful mob boss Marsellus Wallace and his accomplice, Vincent, are on the way to a routine hit. En-route, the casualty of their actions can be seen by the lengthy discussion consisting of burger names at a Paris McDonalds and foot massages, but what follows is far from casual. As Jules and Vincent attempt to reclaim a briefcase stolen from their boss, Jules participates in a ritual in which he recites a mostly contrived Biblical passage before killing his victim. Jules begins as he backs away, his terrified target listening while shaking."

Tags:Jules, Bible, murder, crime

Abstract
The essay is centered around the two main perspectives of realism. It discusses how both theories can be applied to "Pulp Fiction" and draws upon examples from the film.

From the Paper
"Since the start of films, theorists have discussed the cinematic medium in terms of its manipulative functions because the cinema was seen by many to be a natural tool for capturing reality. It has been shown that audiences may find a real presence from the footage they see on the screen. Rudolf Arnheim (1957), an American theorist, sought to "refute the assertion that film is nothing but the feeble mechanical reproduction of real life." (Arnheim, 1975;p18) The aim of this essay is to discuss realist theorists of film and look at how both sides may be applied to the film Pulp Fiction (1994) which was directed and written by Quentin Tarantino, production by Lawrence Bender and edited by Sally Menke."

Tags:art, characters, editing, media, montage, motion, scenery, violence

Abstract
The writer first looks at "Pulp Fiction," by director Quentin Tarantino, a prime example of a film that utilizes a multiple narrative structure. The film has three narrative stories that are signaled by inserted captions, and told in "episodes" that are shown non-chronologically. The writer then studies "Being John Malkovich", a film set entirely in a surreal story world that runs by its own rules.

From the Paper
"Surreal is defined as "having the intense irrational reality of a dream" and surrealism as "the principle of . . . producing fantastic or incongruous imagery or effects . . . by means of unnatural juxtaposition and combinations" (Webster, 1164). These definitions precisely describe the techniques utilized by Kaufman when putting together the dialogue and other aspects of narration for this movie. The viewer is literally buffeted by bizarre effect after bizarre effect, realizing very quickly the world of "Being John Malkovich" has its own rules of logic. For example, as Craig enters the filing office for his job interview, the secretary simply cannot understand what he is saying and mistakes his name and every comment that he makes. Craig attempts to correct her, but fails miserably. During his interview, Craig learns that the secretary's distorted hearing is considered truth, as the boss believes he has a speech impediment based on his secretary's misperception. That is simply the way the world is. As illogic after illogic piles up, the sum total is a dream world, one that certainly comes close to a nightmare for Craig, who represents the viewer's point of view."

Tags:surrealism, film, narration, dialogue, viewer

Abstract
A brief examination of the movie "Pulp Fiction" from the aspect of language and its impact on culture.

From the Paper
"However, the danger and sophistication that are ever-present in the poster can only really be appreciated when related to the third myth, that of 'cool'. Danger in itself is not a myth, it is a definite fact of life that, in real-life, is taken seriously as a truth. But when the danger is removed from the individual then the cool aspect of danger can be perceived as a myth. Ultimately we know that smoking is bad for one's health, but when one is separated from it, the act becomes cool, we also know guns are extremely dangerous yet again once we can take that step away and they are no immediate threat to us, they can be perceived as cool. This removal that is necessary in order to establish the element of cool is achieved in an interesting way in the poster. Rather than being just a poster, the edges have been made to look worn and there are stylized wrinkles in the paper. The purpose of this is to enhance the illusion of this image that makes up the poster as being the cover of a 'trash novel'. We realize that in actual fact these images that we have been examining are being portrayed by the film company as fiction. "

Tags:cool, dogs, reservoir, movies, myth, james, dean

Abstract
This paper discusses that the classic film "Pulp Fiction", by Quentin Tarantino, is a testament to independent film-making and helped set the stage for many other independent filmmakers to follow. The author feels that the film could not have been made through a traditional studio because Tarantino likes to work independently, the film was too violent and sexual to be a mainstream film. The author states that the movie helped create Tarantino's reputation in Hollywood and revamped the careers of Bruce Willis and John Travolta.

From the Paper
""Pulp Fiction" has become a cult classic film, with fine performances by John Travolta, (his first major role in many years), and Samuel L. Jackson. The film follows three distinct story lines. The first is the storyline of the date between hit man Vincent and his boss' wife; then, there is the boxer who is supposed to throw a fight, and finally the cleaning up of a hit man's mistake. The film weaves back and forth between present and past, and literally ends where it begins, in the diner where hit men Vincent and Jules began the story."

Tags:traditional, studio, violent, sexual, unique, mainstream, reputation, hollywood, willis, travolta

From the Paper
"The film Pulp Fiction (1994), directed and written by Quentin Tarantino, presents a series of characters from the Los Angeles underworld. They are minor criminals battling one another for territory, for supremacy in the drug trade, and for a certain sense of honor based on an unwritten code that seems to support all their activities. This code can be very important to them even when they are unable to articulate why, for it gives them a structure within which their violent world can make some sense to them. This is also a world of kitsch, of pop icons, of commercials, of fast foods, of brand names, and so on, but it is a world that these individuals have imbued with a certain philosophy. One of the hit men has indeed started developing a more full-fledged philosophy based on his reading of a passage in.."

Abstract
This paper discusses the concept of the hero in literature throughout time. The writer looks at the subject from a number of angles including: What makes a hero; the hero's sense of justice; Codes of conduct; and Patriarchal roles. Specifically the paper looks at two ancient texts "The Odyssey" and "The Epic of Gilgamesh" as well as Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" as examples of such heroes.

From the Paper
"People have placed their ideas in and explained their culture through literature since the first recorded literary work. As societal beliefs have changed, literature has reflected these beliefs in the stories they tell. Despite the differences, many literary elements have remained virtually unchanged. The hero, for example, has been a major part in texts throughout history. Great early western texts such as The Epic of Gilgamesh (1200 BCE) and the Odyssey (800 BCE) were based entirely around the hero. And even today, films such as Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, hailed as one of the greatest works of modern-day cinema, involves the hero in a more modernized role. Though the hero (or heroes) is not as easily seen as in other works of the past, the defining elements are there. The hero can be explained as a phenomenon in literature because similarities can be seen in writings from every historical period."

Tags:fiction, english, writing, scene

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that to some members of the modern audience, the film 'Pulp Fiction' represents the worst aspects of modern culture and that the critical acclaim it received for its unabashed embrace of violence has led to an increasing amount of violence in films, up to and including the modern horror porn. The writer points out that others argue that the violence in 'Pulp Fiction', while disturbingly real, absolutely excessive, and not representative of daily life, serves a very important purpose. The writer maintains that rather than detracting from the plot, the violence in 'Pulp Fiction' is an essential part of the plot; without which, the movie simply would not exist. The writer concludes that by humanizing the character Marcellus, Tarantino makes a cogent argument for the fact that, as a society, Americans have dehumanized and marginalized a huge segment of people, simply because of their criminal behavior, and that this dehumanization is morally wrong.

From the Paper
"Like the other characters in the story, Butch's livelihood depends on violence. However, while Butch's life may have been violent, which is a prerequisite for a professional fighter, the film makes it clear that Butch has not previously been engaged in the type of criminal activity as the story's other leading characters. Therefore, when the audience is introduced to Butch, they see a washed-up has been who is willing to take a dive for money, but who is not entirely comfortable with having made that decision. What the audience does not know is that Butch has not actually decided to throw the fight, but is actually making his own plans to score big on the fight and escape with the money. Somehow knowing that Butch intends to cheat Marcellus, a crime boss, makes Butch seem virtuous in comparison. In addition, there is something underneath Butch's complacent and dopey exterior, and Tarantino uses violence to show the real Butch, who is actually a proud man with a lot of honor, even if his views of what is honorable do not coincide with society's views."

Tags:Butch, criminal, honor, brutal