Violence In Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction

While Quentin Tarantino’s films do mostly follow the components of artwork Jinhee Choi presented, his films are also the first of their kind. Writer Alan Stone recognizes this and argues that the absurdity of Tarantino’s scenes are a rollercoaster of emotions for the viewer. This allows him to better control the emotions of the audience. He writes about how Tarantino places brains and blood in the movie, and that the audience responds with laughter to the scenes. Although, both Stone and Tarantino do not classify the film as a comedy. Stone argues that the ups and downs of the movie are essential to how an audience handles a film emotionally. In the movie, an example of this rollercoaster of emotions is seen with the boxer Butch. Their feud …show more content…
Stone states that clichés of violence are typically associated with masculinity and that violence is used to instill fear. In many movies, violence is usually only used to instill fear. However, Tarantino’s use of violence does not follow the typical pattern, and he deheroicizes some violence in his movies. In Pulp Fiction, the use of violence is very casual in some scenes. This can also lessen the effect on the audience, allowing them to better cope with intense scenes. For example, after Jules and Vincent murder Brad and his friend, they take the third friend, Marvin, with them to see Marsellus. On the drive to Marsellus, Vincent is turned around in the front seat with his gun casually in his hand. It happens to be pointed at Marvin while the two are talking. Vincent’s gun fires and Marvin’s head explodes all over the car. This scene is filled with brains and blood, and typically a person’s main concern would be the fact that he or she just killed a young man. However, the first thing Vincent says after this occurs is “Aww man, I shot Marvin in the face.” This line is spoken in a way where Vincent seems inconvenienced by the situation and now has to clean it up. They treat Marvin’s life as if he is not human and just serves a plotpoint. Vincent and Jules are upset at the fact that the car is …show more content…
Jinhee Choi presents the argument that an effective artwork that elicits emotion is a web comprised of components. If those components are altered, the emotion from the audience can change with them. She also states that an audience reacts based off of their moral views and social norms. An effective director must establish and properly inform an audience about the storyworld to control the audience’s emotions. Similarly, Alan Stone looks more specifically at Tarantino’s use of absurd dialogue, and how it can change the emotion of violence. Stone also touches on the ridiculous storyworld that Pulp Fiction is placed in, which also contributes to why the audience can witness these intense scenes without feeling completely horrified. Based off of Choi and Stone’s arguments Quentin demonstrates a mastery of controlling the audience’s emotions, which allows them to view his films and have a unique experience. Through the storyworld Tarantino creates, and the comical interactions between characters, the viewer is able to witness controversial and horrifying scenes without feeling disgusted. Tarantino’s ability to captivate an audience like this is what makes Pulp Fiction, and all of his films, so unique and