Artifact #5 | Final Rhetorical Analysis

Willy Wonka and the "Heaven" Factory

Introduction

What does heaven look like?  What does heaven smell like?  What does heaven taste like?  Well according to the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, heaven is edible.  The 1971 movie was based on the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a children's novel by British author Roald Dahl.  According to the author, he based his novel on stories he had heard when he was a child about candy spies who would take jobs at competitors' factories in order to steal their secret recipes.  Although there is an innocent topical plot of candy I believe there is something hidden deep down inside this candy covered nugget, a metaphor for life, love, and the pursuit of heaven.

Description and Context

Charlie Bucket is a poor and humble child who is forced to help out his widowed mother take care of his two sets of bed stricken grandparents.  His mother works hard doing laundry, while Charlie is forced to take on a newspaper job to help. 

While the other children run after school to the candy shoppe, Charlie is forced to watch from the outside at all the happiness that candy is bringing the other children.

Charlie had started to lose hope, that was until he heard about Willy Wonka’s wonderful contest.  Five lucky winners were going to win the chance of a lifetime, a visit to the Wonka Factory.  Why was this so significant?  Because Willy Wonka was an isolated candy maker that was forced to shut down his factory due to spies.  All of the chocolate makers were sending spies disguised as workers to steal all of the secret recipes.  The contest selection process included five golden tickets hidden inside chocolate bar wrappers.

One of the dirty spies was a competitor by the name of Arthur Slugworth.  Now that Wonka had started his factory up again, Slugworth will stop at nothing to get his hands on Wonka’s newest creation, the everlasting gobstopper. 

Charlie was now determined more than ever that he was going to find a golden ticket.  His Grandpa Joe felt even more confident in Charlie’s chances stating, “You've got more [chance], Charlie, because you want it more.”  Charlie is more hopeful than ever that the ticket is almost in his grasp.  He quickly loses hope as the film progresses and tickets start popping up all over the map. 

The first to find a ticket is Augustus Gloop, a large German boy with an unending appetite.  The second ticket finder is a rich and spoiled girl named Veruca Salt.  The next ends up in the hands of Violet Beauregarde, a gum chewing addict.  The fourth ends up in the hands of Mike Teevee who has spent the most part of his life watching television.  Through the entire movie Mr. Slugworth happens to appear at every location a golden ticket is found.

Charlie happens upon some money lost in the gutter outside of the candy shoppe.  He decides to go in and indulge on the spoils within.  After finding out that the fifth ticket finder is a fake, he quickly opens the chocolate bar in his hand to quickly discover he has indeed found the fifth and final golden ticket.  Once Grandpa Joe hears the news he leaps from the bed that he’s been in for 20 years in order to accompany Charlie to the factory.

The day finally comes when Charlie and the rest of the winners get to enter the mysterious Chocolate Factory.  The factory is filled with the most wildly imaginable rooms and people.  The factory workers are little people called Oompa Loompas.  There are rooms filled with tasty wallpaper, edible plants, and a chocolate river.  While moving from room to room on a tour of the factory each of the children are disqualified for acting out their horrible qualities.  Charlie even disqualifies himself by sneaking some fizzy lifting drinks while in the factory.

After finding out he is disqualified, Grandpa Joe goes on the rampage.  After the argument that ensues Charlie proves he is worthy of the prize by giving back the everlasting gobstopper showing his penitence and trust.  Wonka reveals that Charlie is the winner and is given the factory as the grand prize after which Charlie gets to see the whole factory through a flying glass elevator.

Method of Analysis

Given all the hidden meanings and subjects in the film, I am convinced that the best analysis of this artifact is to use the tenants for analyzing metaphors.  My first step was to view the entire film again, one more of the many times since childhood.  The film is full of metaphors and so I had to isolate certain metaphors in the film.  There are very obvious metaphors that are prominent in this artifact.  The most prominent are the negative characters of each of the ticket winners.

I believe that the artifact’s metaphors and underlying theme has a deeper effect on the audience.  There are several patterns that suggest that the entire story is based on a Christian point of view of Jesus and Heaven. 

I will look at Max Black’s beginning of his theory of analyzing metaphors.  The first is that a metaphor consists of two topics, a primary and a secondary one.  I will discuss in the next section the patterns that suggest this same idea.

Artifact Analysis

In watching the movie I believe there are three major metaphors that suggest the movie is dealing with the Christian view of Heaven, Hell, and the Devil.

The first tenor is the idea of heaven and the vehicle used to express that idea is the Chocolate Factory.  

The Chocolate Factory is mysterious, just like heaven and the afterlife.  The entire world is mesmerized by this secret and locked down place.  Just the idea of how to get into the factory produces mass hysteria. The entire world tries different ways of finding their golden ticket into the factory (all of which are metaphors).

The people in the world have all caught a glimpse of this heaven by tasting the wonderful chocolate it produces.  They have all felt and partaken of its paradise.  The spoils of this place are sung in the words of the song that Mr. Wonka sings in the factory, “if you want to view paradise simply look around and view it, anything you want to, do it.”  People will do anything to get into the factory, even try and create a fake ticket.

The factory has been locked up to outsiders.  As Charlie stands staring at the factory a mysterious man states, “Nobody ever goes in….nobody ever goes out.”  This idea parallels the idea of heaven.  The world is astounded at the thought of getting a glimpse of this magical place.

The idea of getting into the factory brings Grandpa Joe back to his feet after 20 years of bed rest.  Talk about a miracle!  Forget the atrophied legs and muscles it’s time to go to the big house as he sings, “I never dreamed that I would climb over the moon in ecstasy, but nevertheless it’s there that I’m shortly about to be!”  What else could create such a miracle?  Heaven?

The second tenor the Christian idea of Jesus and the delivery of that vehicle is through Willy Wonka

Willy Wonka has not been seen but his presence is everywhere (found in his chocolate).  This is similar to the Christian idea of Jesus and his presence throughout the world and his influence on the world.  Just like Wonka holds the key to the factory, Jesus is the key to heaven.  Throughout the factory they go through different types of doors and vehicles and Willy is the only one who knows the combinations.

Even the way that Wonka speaks in poetry and vague metaphors is similar to Jesus teaching in parables.  He is constantly speaking in different languages as well as using several literary quotes.

Without the help of Willy Wonka the other children find their demise in several horrible ways.  Even though prompted and encouraged by the factory leader, the children continue to demonstrate their sins.  Their downfalls are represented in several ways including turning into a blueberry and a fiery death in a furnace.

In the end Mr. Wonka gives up everything for this humble and penitent boy to take over the factory.  The boy has been tested and tempted and overcame all.


Now Charlie gets to ride around in a glass elevator which can take him anywhere in the world at the touch of a button.  To me the glass elevator doesn't make sense in the real world.  Willie Wonka had the power to leave the Chocolate Factory at any time.  Who knows if he did or not.  But he has the same power that Jesus has to be anywhere he wants to be.  I'll bet Jesus' model is an upgrade and is a little more invisible.

The final tenor is the idea of Satan and/or temptation through the vehicle of Mr. Slugworth.

Mr. Slugworth is presented as a competitor.  Whenever a golden ticket is found Slugworth is there somehow.  He starts whispering in each of the young children’s ear.  This is similar to the Christian idea of Satan.  Satan is always there to tempt and lead people astray from heaven.  Mr. Slugworth is up to much the same work.  He tries to bribe each of the children and test them.  If they pass the test they are given the ultimate prize, the Chocolate Factory.

Each one of the ticket holders finds themselves tempted by Mr. Slugworth.  Charlie is cornered on the way home and told that he would be given money in return for the Wonka Everlasting Gobbstopper. 

Even in the end we find that Mr. Slugworth was all part of the plan.  He was all part of the grand scheme or test.  From the beginning Wonka had planned this test and Mr. Slugworth's role in this test.  Just like Christianities view of Satan and his role in the plan of salvation.

Contribution

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is a child’s story that is too scary for children.  It has deep rooted messages about bad habits or “sins” that keep you from reaching the Chocolate Factory or “heaven.”  The film has been seen by millions of people and has recently sparked a remake in 2005, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

The entire film is about a test.  Christians believe that this life is about overcoming temptation and is a test.  If we can avoid the sins (displayed by all the unruly children and their 'deadly sins') we can pass the test and through repentance (Everlasting Gobbstopper) and forgiveness from Jesus (Mr. Wonka) inherit heaven (The Chocolate Factory) and become immortal (glass elevator). And get to travel anywhere in the world in our Glass Elevator!

Many who watch the film instantly catch the message of unruly and pretentious children and the damage that can be done if they are allowed to rule their parents.  However, there are only a few that make the same connection to the Christian message of heaven, hell, and the devil.

Artifact #4 | Narrative Criticism

Candy

"So the first time you hear the concept of Halloween, when you're a kid, remember the first time you even heard about it, it's like... your brain can't even... "what is this ?! Who's giving out candy, someone's giving out candy ?! Who is giving out this candy ?!
Everyone that we know is just giving out candy ?!!! "

For my narrative criticism I chose Jerry Seinfeld’s monologue regarding Halloween.  Jerry Seinfeld speaks to me.  I can remember being a kid and marking the calendar to the next candy holiday.  I used to ration out my Easter candy so it would last me to July 4^th and the free candy being thrown from all the parades.  Then I had to ration the summer treats in order to last until Halloween.  The Halloween candy had to last until the Christmas candy.  And I used to hang onto the Christmas candy and hope it held up until Easter.  But Halloween candy was the best.  The amount of candy you could get was solely based on the amount of work you wanted to put into it.

I was big for my age and so I started getting the “looks” from the neighborhood early.  I looked to old to be trick or treating.  But I didn’t care!  I used to run from house to house with my buddy’s dressed as a hobo or a rock star a.k.a the punk rocker.  The pillow case would strain from the pounds and pounds of candy. 

When I got home that night I would dump it all out on my bedroom floor and start sorting.  I would arrange it out from chocolate to hard candy to nickels and toothbrushes.  My parents would always tell me that I would get a sick belly from eating so much candy.  I never knew what they were talking about, until today.  As a kid I could eat as much candy as I wanted to, as an adult it’s just the opposite.  I now know about the “sick tummy” my parents spoke of.  This is a shame…

 

Setting

The setting of the story takes place in our minds.  The setting is our childhood.  It could be wherever you grew up.  The setting is the important part of the monologue.  It takes everyone on a journey back to a much simpler time in our youth. 

Characters

The character is Jerry Seinfeld as a child, but the character describes everyone at a young age.  The character is more of a phenomena (Do-doooo, da-do-doo).

Narrator

The narrator is Jerry Seinfeld, a comedian.  He is presenting straight to an audience.  He does a great job of leading us into his monologue regarding Halloween by talking about candy.  He also has a lot of tenants about growing up incorporated into the monologue that provide comic relief:

“That's a kid thing, "wait up". Kids don't want other kids to wait; they must "wait up". "Would you wait up?". Because when you're little, life is up, you're growing up, everything is up. "Wait up, hold up, shut up !". "Ma, I'm all cleaned up !". "Let me stay up !".

Parents, of course, it's just the opposite, "just calm down !". "Slow down !". "Come down here, sit down, put that down !". "You are grounded !". "Keep it down in there !".

Events

The major plot line is the children’s take on Halloween.  It’s a nostalgic journey for all to enjoy.  There are several satellite events that happen during the journey: The string breaking on the mask, having to wear a coat over your costume, eating candy and feeling fantastic.

Temporal Relations

The entire event is a flashback to childhood.  It feels like it may be just one night of Halloween, yet all of the satellite events did not happen on just this one night.  They have happened over many years of Halloween.  Its many Halloween events presented as if it was one great night of our youth.

Causal Relations

There are many cause and effects throughout the narrative.  Because it was cold he had to wear a jacket at his mom’s insistence.  Because he had the cheap costume that broke he was constantly being left behind.

Audience

The narrative is addressed to a particular audience that night, however it is for anyone who ever grew up. 

Theme

The major theme is youth.  There are undertones of Candy and Halloween but the major theme is nostalgic.  It’s meant to entertain the audience and bring them back to a simpler time.

Genre

This is a comedic narrative.



Artifact #3 | Metaphor Criticism

Rhetor...it nearly killed her!

Down with metanarratives...

Up with individuality 'cause everyone's doing it!

So I don't usually buy into the popular entertainment, yet somehow I get swarmed by it and usually with hesitation I partake. My attitudes toward such things are probably more described as an inherent hipster. I feel as though partaking in such mainstream pop-culture will somehow give me a kool-aid moustache and I will join all the other brain dead punch drinkers.

The ironic part of that philosophy is that my curiosity gets the best of me and I must see what the buzz is about so that I can critically pick it apart. The second motivation was the fact that my 12 year old son had recently read the book on a recommendation from his teacher. And so I partook.

My favorite thing about metaphors is that only the writer truly knows what they are trying to communicate. I love asking people what they thought the underlying story was with the hunger games. I usually hear that it's anti-government libertarian rhetoric. But let’s see..

What I find interesting is that the overall theme of a rich and powerful elite exploits a dumbed-down mass of people. They employ surveillance and mass media to propagate (yes I just said that) a blood ritual of killing in a modern arena. The poor masses are required to watch their own children killing each other and watch this horrific event.

I felt as I watched this story that there was little to no difference between myself as a movie goer and those in the hunger games being forced to watch. I was there, distracted by the media and the world's elite to watch and be amused. Was I much different than those in the story? I am only reminded of the elite's power to get me into that theater...

Is The Hunger Games attempting to warn our youth of the dangers of a totalitarian government? Or is it simply programming us to become another district? I felt poorer and more brainless for watching. I'm district 14...I’m part of the metaphor!!

Artifact #2 | The Ideological Analysis

The Southern Utah M.A.V.

Semiotic lens

What signs and symbols do I see daily here in southern Utah?

I see many of them driving around with their big hair, big sunglasses, and big Ross bedazzled jeans. They’re on their cell phones trying to meet up with their gals at Cafe Rio or Pizza Factory, to let their kids Craigen and Brooklyn have a play date right before a shopping spree at Target or Old Navy. Then there’s the obligatory stop at the Sweet Tooth Fairy for cupcakes.

There’s some sort of a pattern here. What do these symbols mean here in southern Utah? They are a sign of what I call, “The LDS Power Mom.”

Symbols:

• The SUV: “Not only do I have money from my husband’s multilevel marketing job, but I have a big family just like the prophet said to have, 2 kids.”


• The Cell Phone: “I’m so important that I must talk on this at all times and in all places. Because I’m planning the next mutual activity or Scentsy party.”


• The Rear View Mirror: “I don’t use this because it doesn’t matter what other people are doing around me.”


• The Big Hair: “The bigger the hair the more important I am down here in Southern, UT. Maybe I’m even the Elders Quorum President’s wife.”


• The lunch Date: “I’ve got to get together with my other Mormon Mom’s to talk about all the important things, like how my husband spends too much time at his job and so I deserve this outing.”


• The Window Stickers: “Look how many kids I have! I’ve put them on my window, so you know I’m righteous.”


• The pretentious children’s names: “Not only can I express my style through myself, but now I can show you how cute they are by giving them hybrid Mormon names! And I don’t even have to watch them in public places because they are so cute that everyone else will just be watching them too. Heck maybe they’ll even walk up to the pulpit at church so everyone can see how cute Bridger is with his iPad!”

Sources of rhetoric these days..

Artifact #1 | Neo-Aristotelian Analysis

"Did the rhetor use the available means of persuasion to evoke the intended response from the audience?"

FLEX SEAL™

Phil Swift

In March, 2011, The United States was introduced to a brand new patented, portable, easy to use spray that coats, seals and protects just about everything. Flex Seal™

Who is speaking?
Phil Swift started his career in the marketing and direct sales industry back in 1980 giving him over 31 years experience.

What is the occasion that he is speaking?
Phil is speaking to the general population watching television to tell them about a new product that has been developed to stop leakage problems around the house.

Who was/is the audience?
The intention was to speak to the general population of individuals that have a problem with leaks in their home that would like a cheaper solution. The audience ends up being everyone who has a leak or not.

What is the rhetor’s claim?
The claim is that you can save thousands of dollars on home repair by using this “handyman in a can” miracle sealing spray.

How does the rhetor appeal to logos?
The rhetor recreates a common problem. The problem is a general problem that either someone has had or will have in the future. To support the claim the rhetor shows examples of the product working on small areas and then creates an absurd problem of a boat with millions of holes, which he simulates using a screen door.

What reasoning does the rhetor use?
The rhetor utilizes deductive reasoning. He starts with a generalization that is acceptable to all the audience members, “leaks are bad and need to be fixed quickly and easily.” Then he talks about specific problems someone might face. Then he applies it to specific extreme cases to prove the validity of the product.

How does the rhetor establish credibility (ethos)?
The rhetor immediately shows the product stopping leaks in a sieve. This immediately gives him credit.

How does the rhetor try to generate emotion in the audience?
The rhetor tells his audience that their “leaky roof will cost you thousands in repairs.” Then the speaker tells the audience that if they don’t get it repaired the leaks will, “destroy your home’s foundation.” Both of these statements create emotion in the audience. He speaks about their livelihood and their home being destroyed.

The speaker also talks about how the seal is a “beautiful seal that will last a lifetime.” The statement creates emotions of beauty and strength.

What organizational structure does the rhetor use?
He uses a problem solving approach to the audience. He creates the problem or stirs up memory of the problem and then quickly and easily fixes the problem.

Does the language style help accomplish the rhetor’s goal?
The language is clear and easily followed. He uses emotional wording and speaks quickly. He articulates and phonetically accents key words. This is very effective

How is the speech delivered?
Even though there was a script the speaker appears to speak from memory. He uses gestures and actions to emphasize what he is communicating.

Was the intended effect met?
The rhetor proves that what he says is true. The success of the product is proof that he is effective. The product works and the speaker does a great job of presenting it.

BUY IT!!

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