Pulp Fiction: Representation and Institutional

Representation

Gender

-Mia's introduction is quite alluring (the extreme close up of her lips when speaking to Vincent). It compliments her seductive voice and the diegetic music. The audience is able to empathise with Vincent as despite the fact that we get a shot of Mia, her back is facing away from the  camera meaning that our understanding of her appearance is as unclear as it is to Vincent. The implications of this is that Tarantino enables the audience ro really feel the sexual tension within the scene.

-Sound:

• Diegetic- 'Son of A Preacher Man' by Dusty Springfield = Sexual, powerful. It compliments Mia's demeanour.
• Mia's voice-intercom- mysterious, asserts her power. This is physically made apparent through her control over the cameras watching his every move. Mia takes advantage of the fact that Vincent is now in a vulnerable position and is dependent on her commands. Once again, Tarantino allows the audience to understand the sexual tension Mia is creating as Vincent is unaware of her control.
• Vincent feels relaxed yet quite flattered by Mia's behaviour. He plays along with her fantastical approach through the connotations of his soothing and calm tone of his voice. 

 Tarantino allows Mia to take the lead seat, highlighting women's empowerment which is seen in his later films such as Kill Bill and Death Proof.  Her physical authority is made apparent through her control over the cameras watching his every move. Once again, Tarantino allows the audience to understand the sexual tension Mia is creating as Vincent is unaware of her control The cameras also appear ta high angle further exemplifying her superior position.

-Vincent, prior to this was extremely nervous about taking Mia out, hence why he took heroine to calm him down. In contrast, Mia takes cocaine which has the opposite effect of a more hyperactive and energetic feeling. Vincent is comforted by the sexual atmosphere created by Mia who uses her sexuality to claim and assert her power.

Race/ethnicity

-The language especially is a lot more controversial when it comes to race. The term 'Nigger' used persistently by Jules, especially in the foot massage scene is not used in a derogatory way but more socially. It caused a lot of controversy at the time and the audience was equally expected to have that exact reaction. But Tarantino cleverly makes this acceptable as the audience gain such a close relationship with Jules and Vincent that anything they say is deemed as harmless and conversational.

-Through the character of Jules in the final scene, Tarantino breaks off the stereotype that it is the black man who commits the crime. Except for Jules, everyone else in the diner is white. They are all represented as weak and vulnerable apart from Honey-Bunny and Pumpkin who are committing the immoral action. Jules turns out to be the peacemaker which evokes the notion that at time where black people are still vocally discriminated, Tarantino brings forward change. This has been the concept from the very beginning where it is Vincent, a white man, interacting friendly with Jules, a black man.