Madonna runs away from criminals down a hill with a burning barrel in the background, setting the scene of danger. A close-up of a burning cross brings new meanings related to racism and the KKK. Jump cuts between an attacker and Madonna as a witness create tension as their eye contact suggests a disturbing interaction.

1. Textual Analysis on ‘Like a Prayer’ by Madonna

2. It starts with an underexposed long shot of Madonna running down a
hill with a setting of a barrel on fie which sets the scene as dangers. This
illustrates a post-modern homage among to thriller and crimes films as
Madonna is running away from criminals. This clip tells us that Madonna
seems to be escaping from criminals this is evident as the sounds sirens
in the background suggest an criminal activity has taken place. The
creator intends for us to feel sympathy for by adding mise-en-scene
such as props to enhance the danger Madonna could be in

3. A extreme close up of a burning cross which has no artificial lighting this has
an post-modern bricolage and semiotics as when we think of a cross we
think of Jesus and catholic meaning however when there's fire on that cross
it brings new meaning such as the KKK but as its in a music video and
Madonna’s ‘Like a Prayer’ shows aspects of racism we can assume that the
meaning of the KKK is a bad meaning as its used to create cultural
meanings. However the cross also shows aspects of Semiotics which is the
study of signs and symbolism. Sign of the KKK shows symbols of racism and
the fact that fire is red and has conations of love, passion, anger, violence
and blood. The audience is concerned that the association of the burning
cross could relate t Madonna in some way.

4. Jump cuts with a close up when using shot reverse shot between
the attacker ad witness who is Madonna in this case. This has a
post-modernism of montage of a incident involving a tall white
man attacking someone but we don’t know who it is. There is a
submission of a history of sorts as the eye contact suggests a
disturbing type of chemistry. The creator has created a lot of
tension as there is a sense of fear and concern about how the man
might respond again.