How does Finding Nemo conform to the Quest genre? - page 1
Keywords: Media film genre quest finding nemo
By Jenny on 02/07/2009
Level: GCSE Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)
Page Number: 1 of 3 pages: 1 2 3
English Coursework
How does “Finding Nemo” conform to the Quest genre? Refer to media techniques in your response.
“Finding Nemo” contains the basic themes of the “Quest” genre. The heroes are on a mission to find a “prize” and must overcome obstacles and dangers to do this, they gain friendship and learn from others eventually allowing them to complete their “quest” and claim their reward. There is often a final twist to be overcome before the happy ending. There is also a full supporting cast of: heroes, villains, sidekicks, dangers, obstacles to be overcome, resolutions, solutions and moral lessons. Even the title Finding Nemo implies looking for something – a quest.
The prize that our “hero” Marlin and his “sidekick” Dori are looking for is of course Nemo and they must get past many obstacles to rescue him.
One of the themes of a quest film is always danger and Finding Nemo has plenty. The obstacles that the characters must overcome include: jellyfish, sharks, anglerfish, barracuda, whale, trench, seagulls, fishing net, humans, dentist, tank and the Aquascum 2000.
Early in the film one of the impediments that Marlin and Dori have to overcome rescue their “trophy” (Nemo) is the sharks. They have several connotations. They are big, bulky, grey and stereotypically scary so it’s ironic that they are actually trying to give up their “addiction” to fish eating and have formed a kind of “A.A club” for sharks. This injects some pathos into the situation. In the midst of the tragedy of Marlin losing Nemo there is the humour of the sharks meeting. Additionally, the sharks meeting place, an abandoned submarine, is gloomy, grim and grey, very different from the brightly coloured reef and symbolic of Marlin and Dori suddenly being on an adventure and a long way from home. Also the mines which are safe if your careful but have the potential to be very dangerous reflect Bruce who is usually trustworthy but becomes a killing machine if he smells blood. Several presentational devices are used with the sharks. When Bruce is chasing them he say exclaims “Here’s Brucey” which is taken from The Shining (intertextuality) and which assumes previous knowledge, perhaps appealing to adults. Additionally the music from Jaws is used when Marlin & Dori first meet Bruce and implies that he is something to be afraid of, building tension.
The themes of comradeship and co-operation are explored in the tank scene. The main
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