POSTMODERNISM - PULP FICTION (1994)

Pulp Fiction (1994) - Postmodernism 

I decided to do some research around the term Postmodernism to try and understand it as much as possible. While researching other terms including; meta-narrative and pastiche came up in the descriptions for postmodernism therefore, I looked into the definitions of those and how they connect to Pulp Fiction (1994).

Therefore, Is Pulp Fiction (1994) Postmodern?

Pulp fiction (1994) explores Postmodernism in many ways, from it's meta-narratives to the inter-textual references. 

The film is constantly playing homage to previous cultures, film style and other iconic film scenes, "Tarantino's films take place in a world he calls the "movie-movie world" " (McAteer, 2015). Pulp Fiction (1994) imitates post culture, which is particularly seen in the diner scene. Mia and Vincent go to retro themed restaurant which constantly plays older music, while Marilyn Monroe and Buddy Holly serve people food. The two characters also take part in a dancing competition at the restaurant, in which they perform to the song 'You can never tell', which could be seen a reference to John Travolta dancing in the film 'Saturday Night Fever, (1977)'.

Another reason why Pulp Fiction (1994) could be seen as postmodern is due to the lack of meta-narratives. The audience don't receive legitimate introductions to any of the characters or locations but instead are placed into a pre-existing story. The film is split into three separate narratives but share similar characters, neither one resolves itself or has any relation to the previous, instead of one complete meta-narrative."“Grand narratives” are old fashioned and oppressive – oppressive because one grand narrative excludes another and doesn’t my narrative have just as much right to truth as yours?" (Marxists internet archive, N.A). By showing a film with no interconnections between events, or development of character it allows the audience to form their own interpretations of relationships within the film and create their own outcomes and endings. It denies the sense of continuity and structure, allowing the audience to feel confusion and uncertainty as everyone will perceive the film differently. Therefore, making it a film which follows postmodernism beliefs and structure.