Scenes are open to at least this much multiple interpretation. One participant's solution is
quite clearly the other's problem. The discourse analysis model I am using is meant not to try and
unduly limit possible interpretations, either by watcher or participant. On the contrary, the analysis
should highlight the fact that different ways of interpreting a scene are available.
Susan's first solution is to return to the way things were, just her and Matthew. Michael has
talked Matthew out of this, but not Susan yet. Michael gains ground by pointing out that that isn't
very fair on the teenage boy. Susan's next solution is that she can live alone. As a sufferer of
relapsing remissing MS this is not quite out of the question. It is still not the desired solution for
Michael, or Matthew at the moment.
The crux of the problem, as seen from Susan's angle makes the last words of the
scene.
Susan
elicit
Why does giving in to you feel like giving up on myself?
The problem is paramount at this stage.
Scene 28 offers us a taste of solution for both Michael and Susan.
Rather than being constructed through disagreement as was scene 25, the first solution scene, this one
is constructed around the sharing of inner feelings, the admission of deep uncertainty by Susan, about
her future. She just doesn't know yet what solution will work. She is being honest now rather than
just problematical.
Susan needs to be convinced that Michael really wants her. Once that is done there is hope
for them. The solution might work.
Susan
opine
Maybe I am not myself anymore.
Michael
react + opine
Come on, come on, hey, you are stronger and beautiful, more maddening than ever.
Susan
react
Oh, Michael.
They kiss.
Any evaluation of this solution stage will wait until the next episode.
Conclusion of the First Part
The point of all this is to show firstly that this linguistically formed analysis suits the way
that soap opera dialogue functions. Secondly it is hoped that the nature of the analysis indicates that
although soap opera narrative is open-ended: "Soap opera consists of an ever expanding middle."
(Brown, 1989: 186)
Along the way there are mini closures all the time. The fact that there is no final closure
matters little to the close up way in which scenes highlight problems and offer solutions to them;
solutions which are both successful and positively evaluated and those which are neither. One might
say, that in this soap opera is more like life itself than other media dramas.
I hope this introductory detailed analysis shows something of what a linguistic approach can
do. Moving to a slightly more generalised position I would like to conclude this piece by examining
the nature of evaluation in this episode and by attempting to account for the functions that different
kind of evaluation may have.
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