The document discusses several theories and how they relate to the music video for Green Day's "Jesus of Suburbia": 1) Todorov's narrative theory of equilibrium, disruption, recognition, attempt to repair, and return to equilibrium fits the narrative structure of the video. 2) Laura Mulvey's male gaze theory applies as the female characters are presented as objects for the male protagonist. 3) Levi-Strauss' theory of binary opposition is seen as the video shows conflict between the protagonist and his ex-girlfriend and mother. 4) Stereotypes of punks as rebellious, disruptive outsiders are portrayed, challenging norms of society. 5

1. Theories

2. Narrative
• In 2001 Jason Mittell argued that industries use
genres to sell products to audiences. Media
producers use conventions that very often make
references to their audience knowledge of society
and other media texts.
• This is true for Green Day’s “Jesus Of Suburbia”
due to the fact it shows ‘punks’ dressed in their
stereotypical clothes and show them involved
with delinquent behaviour

3. • Christian Metz argued that genres go through a typical
cycle of changes during their lifetime.
• This is true when comparing a music video from today
to one made 15 years ago.
• Blink-182’s “Josie” gives a very different view on punk
rock.
• In “Josie” it is shown that punk-rockers are teenagers
who are at school chasing a girl.
• In “Jesus Of Suburbia” punk-rockers are shown to be
delinquent, irresponsible and disruptive.
• The genre has changed with the stereotypical view of
punk-pop/rock.

4. Todorov’s Theory
• 1. Equilibrium/normality – St. Jimmy walking towards his ex-
girlfriend
• 2.Disruption of normality by ‘Agents of Disruption’- Fight between
St. Jimmy and ex girlfriend, Jimmy walks off and kicks debris.
• 3. Recognition of disruption- People in the area see the fight
happening and Jimmy realises his relationship is over
• 4. Attempt to repair disruption- Jimmy goes out to parties, drinks,
smokes, does drugs, we see him move on from his ex-girlfriend. The
audience are shown Jimmy lives in a disruptive home, he and his
mother have a terrible relationship
• 5. Return to normality- Jimmy leaves home.
• This theory fits well with “Jesus Of Suburbia” as the narrative
follows it closely.
• There is a full narrative to this song and no band performance, the
narrative flows continuously in the video.

5. The Male Gaze
• Laura Mulvey argued that music videos are created for
the male audience. The female body is shown for the
male audience to look at and to provide erotic pleasure
for the males. The audience are made to accept the
masculine point of view.
• This is true in “Jesus Of Suburbia” because the female
characters are shown as sexual objects for main
character St. Jimmy. The way they are represented to
the audience gives the audience the impression that
the females are there to be looked at and noticed.

6. Levi Straus’ Binary Opposition Theory
• Straus said that tension and drama in the
narrative comes from conflict or opposition
between two sides.
• This is seen within the first 30 seconds of the
video for “Jesus Of Suburbia” as we are instantly
shown St. Jimmy fighting with his ex-girlfriend.
• Later on in the music video we see St. Jimmy
fighting with his mother and ultimately leaving
home because of this fight.

7. Representation - Stereotypes
• O’Sullivan et al said that a stereotype is a label that involves
the process of categorizing and evaluating a single person.
O’Sullivan claimed we can call stereotypes short hand to
narratives due to their simplistic representations defining
out understanding of the media.
• The stereotypes used in “Jesus Of Suburbia” are placed
upon the modern day punk. We are shown teenagers,
partaking in illegal activities such as drinking under the age
and smoking drugs. We see them as living in an unstable
home, their families rejecting them due to the fact they do
not follow the norms of society and hole different values.
The audience are shown the punks as being disruptive,
violent and angry people due to personal circumstances.

8. Gender
• The males in the music video for “Jesus Of
Suburbia” are not stereotypical men. The
main character is shown to be quiet feminine
in the way he dresses, acts and speaks.
However, he is also shown to be masculine,
when he fights with his ex-girlfriend and his
mother. The males in this video are shown as
both masculine and feminine.