In any narrative film, there are numerous techniques employed to help communicate stories and themes to viewers. Napoleon Dynamite is one example of a film that successfully incorporates narrative form, dynamics and characterization techniques such as agents of action in defined actantial roles. It also manages to use minor characterization techniques like speech and external appearances of characters to better advance the story and develop characters audiences can relate with. This essay will explore the narrative and characterization techniques Napoleon Dynamite utilizes. It will also discuss how these techniques are engaged to invoke emotion and interest from viewers for the entire duration of the film.
The state of equilibrium in the film Napoleon Dynamite is quite obvious, as the film begins with Napoleon on his way to school on the school bus. He is seen playing tetherball by himself, getting taunted by the jocks and beaten up by the bully and it can be inferred that he is a social outcast with no friends. This, however, is quite normal for Napoleon. His older brother is soon introduced when Napoleon goes home. Kip has been on the computer all day chatting to his Internet girlfriend and grandma is at home. Everything up until this point is quite the norm in the Dynamite household, that is until grandma goes on a trip with friends and injures herself. With grandma gone, Uncle Rico arrives to take care of Napoleon and his thirty-two year old brother. This event disrupts the equilibrium and sets off a chain of narrative events that help steer the course of the film. At the end of Napoleon Dynamite there is a new state of equilibrium as most of the characters have changed significantly. Napoleon has a best friend in Pedro Sanchez, who has also been elected class president, and he begins a relationship with Deb. Kip moves away with his girlfriend he met on the Internet, grandma returns home and uncle Rico is reunited with his ex-girlfriend. The new state of equilibrium is a result of a number of major kernel and satellite events during the course of the narrative.
One of the first kernel events in Napoleon Dynamite occurs when Napoleon first meets Pedro Sanchez, the new student at his school. This pairing of Napoleon and Pedro opens up many opportunities and possibilities in the film. It creates a friendship that eventually leads to their adventures and quest for self-fulfilment. A second important kernel event is when Uncle Rico comes to look after Napoleon and Kip, as grandma is in hospital. This begins a family feud between Rico and Napoleon, while Rico and Kip form a partnership, which inturn opens up opportunities for Kip and his girlfriend. Another important kernel event is when Pedro decides to run for class president after seeing a sign advertising the upcoming elections at the dance. This event begins another quest for both Napoleon and Pedro, as they combine their skills to find a way for Pedro to get noticed and beat popular girl, Summer Wheatley in the elections (Conan, 1988 p54).
As in any narrative, Napoleon Dynamite utilizes a number of main characters in actantial roles as agents of action (Fowler, 1977). These agents of action add depth to the plot and help move narrative events to the eventual conclusion and restore the equilibrium. Napoleon is a subject, as he is on a quest to make Uncle Rico leave and acts as a helper to Pedro, as they both want Pedro to be elected as class president. He is also an object of Deb, as it can be inferred she is intent on getting closer to Napoleon. Pedro's actantial role is also that of a subject, as he is on a quest to beat Summer Wheatley and become class president. Napoleons brother Kip's actantial role is one of a subject. Kip is on a quest to bring his Internet girlfriend, who he believes is his soul mate, to visit him in Preston, Idaho. Uncle Rico acts as an object of Napoleon, as Napoleon is on a quest to make Rico leave. Uncle Rico also performs the actantial role of hinderer, by making Napoleon's life harder than it usually is (Fowler, 1977).
During the narrative film, Napoleon Dynamite, there are plot events that are specifically covered, there are also many parts to the story that can be safely assumed. Napoleon and Kip live with their grandma, this is covered in the plot, so it can be inferred that their parents have either passed away or left them. At the beginning of the story not much is known about Napoleon, however it is assumed that Napoleon has few, if any friends at all. While not covered in the plot, it can also be inferred that Napoleon is a liar and this may be one reason he has so few friends. From how each character dresses at school, it can be inferred that Summer Wheatley it the "cheerleader" type, dating Don the typical jock. Other non-diegetic themes in the narrative such as music and clothing suggest the film is taking place in the mid to late 1980s. It can be assumed Napoleon Dynamite is a modern day story however, with such non-diegetic props as the Internet and mobile phones being present. It revolves around students who attend a high school in Preston, Idaho, though time and place are never specifically covered during the film. Another disparity in story and plot is when Napoleon is in the second hand thrift store. The viewers see him browsing and he picks up a VHS tape called "D-Qwons Dance Grooves". The film never shows Napoleon purchase this video, but at home you see him insert a video into the VHS player and he begins to practice dance moves. It can be inferred that Napoleon did purchase this video, though the plot does not cover this detail, this event proves quite critical further into the story.
