The anti-hero’s journey: An analysis of narrative complexity in Breaking Bad

Authors

  • Melina Meimaridis Universidade Federal Fluminense
  • Krystal Cortez Luz Urbano Universidade Federal Fluminense

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4013/fem.2018.203.05

Abstract

The article aims at analyzing the issue of narrative complexity in the television drama Breaking Bad through an exploratory evaluation of its narrative arcs, characters presented during its first season and in the construction of Walter White as an anti-hero. Using a methodology based on a systematic observation of the seven episodes of the first season, we argue that, although the production uses several elements belonging to the complex narrative category, we understand that the show’s structure is organized around the tradition of narrative serialization in which elements of variation and repetition alternate through its characters and by intertwining three main narrative arcs: cancer, crime, and family.

Keywords: TV series, narrative complexity, structure of sympathy, anti-hero.

Author Biographies

Melina Meimaridis, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Doutoranda do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Comunicação da Universidade Federal Fluminense(UFF). Coordena o Série Clube, projeto acadêmico e colaborativo dedicado à investigação e ao debate deaspectos relativos à linguagem da ficção seriada televisiva. Seus interesses de pesquisa são "Comfort Series", instituições ficcionais, estudos de fãs, spoilers e narrativas complexas.

Krystal Cortez Luz Urbano, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Doutoranda do Programa de Pós-graduação em Comunicação da Universidade Federal Fluminense. Desde 2012 mantém o Asian Club, projeto colaborativo dedicado ao debate, reflexão e produção de conteúdo em torno das produções pop midiáticas do Extremo Oriente, mantido em parceria com estudantes de graduação de Estudos de Mídia da UFF. Seus interesses de pesquisa ainda englobam os seguintes temas: cultura fã, estudos de mídia, ficção seriada televisiva e cibercultura.

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Published

2018-12-30

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 3 (2018): September/December

Section

Articles

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