Tarantino’s a Series of Violent Events

9 Apr

Violence is a major component of the Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. Each of the main character has some experience with violence. Butch’s family seems to be cursed with violence because every man for the past three generations has fought in a major war. Butch is the first one who has not had to fight in a war, but he still enters into an occupation which prospers from violence, boxing. Throughout the course of the film Butch is trying to escape the cycle of violence that has plagued is family. However, to escape this viscous cycle Butch must fight fire with fire. It is because that he is using violence for the right reasons that he is able to succeed in the end and escape. Tarantino illustrates that Butch will succeed in his quest through the mise-en-scène of the shot when Butch is leaving the apartment complex. Butch is leaving the confines of his old life symbolized by the gate and enters into a new life.

Similar to Butch, Jules decides that he no longer wants to be a violent man anymore after witnessing the miracle. Not only does Jules quit his job as a hit man, he also spares the life of the robbers. Due to him taking the miracle as a warning and changing his ways, he is allowed to live past the events of the film.

Vincent on the other hand is a different story. Although he witnesses the miracle same as Jules, he does not consider it a miracle. He repeatedly states that it was a freak occurrence and refuses to heed it as a warning. Vincent decides to continue his life as a hit man and by the end of the film is killed by Butch. Tarantino adds in a small comedic element in the scene depicting Vincent’s death. As Vincent is waiting to be killed by Butch, there is a quick shot of the pop-tarts coming out of the toaster right before Vincent is killed. Vincent is toast just like the pop-tarts are toasted.

Leave a comment