Binary opposition theory proposes that meaning arises from fundamental pairs of opposites in language and thought. Lévi-Strauss believed myths were structured by binary oppositions like good vs evil, and that resolving one opposition created an illusion of resolving the original. In films, binary oppositions like hero vs villain provide the basis for plots and create a sense of balance. Common examples of binary opposites used in stories include rich vs poor, human vs supernatural, and young vs old.

1. BINARY OPPOSITION THEORY

2. WHAT IS BINARY OPPOSITION?
 A pair or related terms or concepts that are opposites in
meaning.
 Binary opposites are used in films to help the plot, in
addition to being used in music videos as part of a narrative
to reinforce song lyrics.
 Binary Opposites structure our understanding of a story
due to its conventional narrative which enables an
equilibrium.

3. THE THEORY
 Lévi-Strauss believed he had discovered that a myth
consists of nothing but binary oppositions. Lévi-
Strauss believed that the human mind thinks
fundamentally in these binary oppositions and that
these are what make meaning possible. He
considered the job of a myth to be an association of
binary opposition with a reconcilable binary opposition,
creating the illusion, that the former had been
resolved.

4. BINARY OPPOSITES IN FILM
 Binary opposites are used quite frequently in films.
These binary opposites create a plot for a film, for
example, a hero and a villain (good and evil)
creates a storyline where the hero attempts to
defeat the villain.
 Binary opposites have been said to create a
‘balance’ in the world. For example, if there were no
evil in a horror film, there wouldn’t be a horror
storyline.

5. EXAMPLES OF BINARY OPPOSITES
 Rich and Poor
 Good and Bad
 Black and White
 Male and Female
 Clever and Dumb
 Vampire and Werewolf
 Strong and Weak
 Human and Supernatural Being
 Young and Old
 Fast and Slow