After formally determining the research direction and content, under the guidance of the professor, I began to write the thesis structure:
· Research title
From Science Fiction to Reality: Analyzing the Reflections of Contemporary Culture and Society in the Film Avatar1&2
· Draft Introduction
Since the release of Avatar in 2009, the film has not only made breakthroughs in visual effects and technology but also sparked a wide range of social and cultural discussions around the world. More than just a science fiction story, Avatar also explores themes such as colonialism and anti-colonialism, indigenous culture and identity, cultural conflict, and integration, providing viewers with the opportunity to reflect on real social issues.
Previous studies have focused on a single topic, such as colonialism or environmental protection. Through a comprehensive analysis of Avatar 1 & 2, this paper will organically combine colonialism, indigenous culture and identity, nature recongnize and cultural conflict to provide a more comprehensive perspective and trigger deeper thinking.
· Keywords/key phrases
Avatar, Cultural Conflict, Indigenous Representation
· An Abstract 50-100 words
The Avatar series not only achieved significant technological breakthroughs but also reflects numerous real-world social and cultural issues through its narrative and character design. The story of the Na’vi in the film becomes an important vehicle for exploring these issues. This paper reviews the academic research on how Avatar reflects real-world social and cultural issues through the story of the Na’vi, focusing on aspects such as colonialism, indigenous culture, environmental protection, and cultural conflict.
·General outline of each chapter:
Chapter 1 – (Colonialism and Anti-Colonialism)
Purpose:
The main purpose of this chapter is to explore the themes of colonialism and anti-colonialism presented in the film Avatar. Through the analysis of the film plot, character setting, and visual narrative, it reveals how the film reflects and criticizes the colonial history and phenomena in the real world, and conveys the ideas of anti-colonialism.
Questions:
The way in which the acts and effects of colonialism are represented in the Avatar films.How does Avatar use narrative techniques to relate science fiction movies to colonial history in the real world
key thinkers and idea:
Eckstrand, Nathan.(2014) and Wicaksono, Yosua Tunas, Daniel Ginting, and FX Dono Sunardi.(2009 )all point out that Avatar is a metaphor for colonial history and phenomena in the real world, and conveys anti-colonial ideas
Answer:
1.1 visual narrative Analysis:
Analyze the visual narrative of the film, especially how the colonial oppression and the resistance of the Na ‘vi are represented through landscapes, costumes, and props.
1.2 Main character analysis:
This paper discusses how Jack Sully’s identity changes from human colonizer to Na ‘vi warrior, and how he embodies the idea of anti-colonialism.
1.3 Cross-cultural comparison:
The plot of the film is compared with the colonial history in the real world, such as the encounter of the Native Americans, the colonial experience in Africa and Asia, and so on, to reveal the realistic metaphor of the film.
1.4 Audience response and social impact:
By collecting and analyzing audience responses to the themes of colonialism and anti-colonialism in the film, the influence of the film in the real world is explored.
Study the reception and interpretation of Avatar in different cultural contexts around the world.
Chapter 2 – (Indigenous Culture,Identity and nature)
Purpose:
The main purpose of this chapter is to explore the culture and identity of the Na ‘vi people in the film Avatar, and to analyze how the film reflects the richness and importance of indigenous culture in the real world through the Na ‘vi lifestyle, belief system and cultural practices. Through this analysis, the role of film in promoting audience awareness and respect for indigenous culture is revealed, and the meaning of cultural identity in the context of globalization is explored.
Questions:
The embodiment of identity problem in Avatar
The way the Na ‘vi culture in the film reflects the lives and beliefs of indigenous people in the real world
key thinkers and idea:
Janke, Terri (2015) argued that Avatar did not copy an indigenous cultural group, but rather took the concepts of indigenous language, cultural expression and traditional knowledge and adapted them to create a science fiction work
Adamson, Joni.(2012) discussed how indigenous peoples and nations are mobilizing around the concept of a terrestrial organism that concentrates energy and life.
Answer:
2.1 Cultural elements analysis:
The cultural elements of the Na ‘vi in Avatar are analyzed in detail, including language, religious belief, social structure, and ecological wisdom.
2.2 Comparison of actual Aboriginal cultures:
The cultural elements of the Na ‘vi are compared the similarities and differences between cultural representation in the film and reality are discussed.
2.3 The expression of identity:
Analyze the identity process of the characters in the film, especially Jake Sully’s transformation from human to Na ‘vi, and explore how this process reflects the dynamic and multi-layered nature of cultural identity.
2.4 The role of visual and narrative techniques:
To study the visual effects and narrative structure of Avatar and explore how it enhances the audience’s understanding and identification with Na ‘vi culture. The analysis focuses on key scenes and symbols in the film, such as the soul tree and the “Ava” cult.
Chapter 3 – (Cultural Conflict and Integration)
Purpose:
The main purpose of this chapter is to explore the cultural conflict and fusion presented in the movie Avatar, and to reveal how the movie reflects the cross-cultural conflict and reconciliation in the real world by analyzing the interaction between humans and the Na ‘vi.
Questions:
How does the film show the causes of culture conflict and its effects on both sides
The process of cultural fusion in Avatar
key thinkers and idea:
Homi Bhabha proposed the concepts of cultural hybridity and third space to study the mutual influence and fusion of cultures, which is applicable to the analysis of the interaction between human beings and the Na ‘vi in Avatar.
Mark Stephen (2007) emphasized that the cultural conflict in the film is not only superficial but also the conflict of deep-seated values and lifestyles, and this conflict and eventual fusion in the film are considered a reflection of cultural exchange and conflict in the context of globalization.
answer:
3.1 Expression and analysis of cultural conflict:
The cultural conflicts between human and Na ‘vi in Avatar are analyzed in detail, including language barriers, religious differences, and lifestyle conflicts. How to interpret these conflicts through the plot and visual representation of the film.
3.2 Causes and effects of culture conflict:
Analyze the root causes of cultural conflicts in films, such as resource competition, power imbalance and cultural ignorance. Explore the impact of these conflicts on both human and Na ‘vi communities, including psychological, social and ecological dimensions.
3.3 The process of cultural integration:
Through the analysis of Jake Sully’s interaction with the Na ‘vi people, especially his transformation from an outsider to a member of the Na ‘vi people, the process and key factors of cultural integration are revealed. Examine how key scenes in the film, such as Jack learning the Na ‘vi language and participating in Na ‘vi ceremonies, embody cultural integration.
3.4 Character Development and Plot:
Examine how the development of major characters, such as Jake Sully and Neytiri’s relationship, through their personal stories, shows the possibilities and significance of cultural fusion. Analyze how the reconciliation and cooperation at the end of the film convey a positive message of cultural integration.
· Draft Literature review
The exploitation of Pandora’s resources and the oppression of the Na ‘vi in Avatar clearly allude to colonialism in history. Many scholars have explored this point, arguing that the film critiques the expansion of colonialism and imperialism through this narrative structure.
Eckstrand and Nathan (2014) pointed out that Avatar presents a typical colonial scenario, in which humans represent technologically advanced but morally bankrupt colonists, while the Na ‘vi represent the oppressed indigenous people. At the same time, Eckstrand and Nathan further analyze the anti-colonial elements in the film and hold that the identity change and final stance of the protagonist Jake Sully reflects the identification of the indigenous culture and the negation of the colonialist behavior. However, the author still thinks there is a subtle colonial message lurking beneath the film’s surface.
The culture, customs, and relationship with the nature of the Na ‘vi are depicted in detail in the film, and scholars believe that these depictions help to increase audiences’ awareness and respect for Aboriginal culture. Adamson, Joni. (2012) discussed how indigenous peoples and nations are mobilizing around the concept of a terrestrial organism that concentrates energy and life. Wicaksono, Yosua Tunas, Daniel Ginting, and FX Dono Sunardi.(2009) highlighted the resistance of the Na ‘vi, their fight to defend their homeland, and nature’s involvement in the war against humanity. In addition, it highlights the harms caused by resource exploitation and the need for responsible resource management.
Avatar explores the dialogue, conflict, and fusion between different cultures through the cultural conflict between humans and Na ‘vi. Meadows. Mark Stephen (2007) discussed how the process of creating and modifying characters, and what we do with them, affects the story, and that these conflicts lead to the emergence of new cultures. He emphasized that the cultural conflict in the film is not only superficial but also the conflict of deep-seated values and lifestyles, and this conflict and eventual fusion in the film are considered a reflection of cultural exchange and conflict in the context of globalization. Jake Sully’s character symbolizes the possibility of cross-cultural understanding and integration, and the film conveys the possibility and importance of understanding, respect, and integration.
· Indicative bibliography
Eckstrand, Nathan. “Avatar and Colonialism.” Avatar and Philosophy: Learning to See (2014): 190-200.
James, John, and Tom Ue. “‘I See You’: Colonial Narratives and the Act of Seeing in Avatar.” The Films of James Cameron: Critical Essays (2011): 186-99.
Wicaksono, Yosua Tunas, Daniel Ginting, and FX Dono Sunardi. “Colonialism, Resistance, and Environmental Issues in James Cameron’s Avatar (2009).” INTERACTION: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa 10.1 (2023): 289-303.
Adamson, Joni. “Indigenous literatures, multinaturalism, and Avatar: The emergence of indigenous cosmopolitics.” American Literary History 24.1 (2012): 143-162.
Paliy, Anna. “The Spirituality of Nature: Indigenous Tradition in James Cameron’s Avatar and Western Mentality’s Failure to See Within.” Kino: the Western Undergraduate Film Studies Journal 3.1 (2012).
Sherma, Amar Bahadur, Alok Lamsal, and Devi Prasad Pokharel. “Becoming an Ecological Citizen: The Concept of an Ecological Citizen in the movie Avatar.” International Journal of TESOL & Education 4.2 (2024): 62-77.
Olivier, Bert. “AVATAR: Ecopolitics, technology, science, art and myth.” South African Journal of Art History 25.3 (2010): 1-16.
Scola, Nancy. “Avatar politics: the social applications of Second Life.” (2007).
Meadows, Mark Stephen. I, avatar: The culture and consequences of having a second life. New Riders, 2007.
Fritz, Justin. “Environmentalism and the” Ecological Indian” in Avatar: A Visual Analysis.” The Arbutus Review (TAR) 3.1 (2012): 67-90.
Erb, Cynthia. “A spiritual blockbuster: Avatar, environmentalism, and the new religions.” Journal of Film and Video 66.3 (2014): 3-17.
Bergthaller, Hannes. “A sense of no-place: Avatar and the pitfalls of ecocentric identification.” European Journal of English Studies 16.2 (2012): 151-162.
Janke, Terri. “Avatar dreaming: Indigenous cultural protocols and making films using Indigenous content.” Indigenous Intellectual Property. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2015. 177-199.
Paliy, Anna. “The Spirituality of Nature: Indigenous Tradition in James Cameron’s Avatar and Western Mentality’s Failure to See Within.” Kino: the Western Undergraduate Film Studies Journal 3.1 (2012).
