Laurika Nxumalo

Viewers and readers are often captivated by villains because they represent complex, multidimensional characters that challenge societal norms and moral boundaries. Unlike heroes, who often adhere to strict ethical codes, villains are free to explore forbidden desires, raw ambition, and unchecked power, which can be both thrilling and relatable.

A well-crafted villain often embodies qualities like intelligence, charm, and resilience, making them intriguing despite their destructive actions. Their backstories, which frequently reveal pain, loss, or a misunderstood motivation, allow audiences to empathize with their humanity. Villains also serve as powerful mirrors, reflecting the darker sides of human nature and the consequences of unrestrained emotions or desires.

Additionally, villains often drive the story’s conflict and tension, creating a compelling dynamic that keeps audiences engaged. Their unpredictability and audacity make them unforgettable, providing a dramatic foil to the hero’s journey and often stealing the spotlight. In many ways, viewers and readers love villains because they represent freedom, complexity, and the messy realities of human existence.

Explore why Cersei Lannister from 'Game of Thrones' is a loved villain

Non-human antagonists enrich storytelling by pushing the boundaries of imagination and challenging both characters and audiences to confront fears and truths beyond the human realm.

Interpret how earthquakes have been used as non-human antagonists in the movie 'San Andreas'

Horror films often use comedy as a tool to release built-up tension, giving the audience a moment to breathe before the next scare.

Analyse how humor is used to address social commentary, blending satire with psychological horror in Jordan Peele’s Get Out (2017).

The movie Inception (2010), directed by Christopher Nolan, offers a fascinating perspective on the nature of dreams and their psychological significance. It explores how dreams can be manipulated, shared, and layered, raising deep questions about reality and consciousness. This connects intriguingly to the practice of dream interpretation in fields such as psychoanalysis and spirituality.

Concept to explore – Are dreams another world that is created by our emotions or are dreams just a way in which the subconscious reveals itself?

Mark Twain's portrayal of Widow Douglas, another of Huck's guardians, emphasizes the topic of religious hypocrisy. The Widow Douglas represents a respectable, "civilized" society that seeks to reform Huck by imparting Christian moral standards in him. She educates him about prayer, urges that he be "civilized," and opposes his reckless behavior. Twain, on the other hand, gently challenges Widow Douglas' moral authority by exposing her errors. For example, she discourages Huck from smoking yet readily consumes snuff, a type of tobacco. Her own habits reveal the moral contradictions in her faith.

The Story of an Hour illustrates the dual themes of confinement and freedom. Mrs. Mallard's story reveals the restricted roles of women in 19th-century society and the profound yearning for selfhood that lay beneath those constraints. The brief and intense exploration of freedom in Louise's mind highlights both the allure and the cost of autonomy in a world that does not yet recognize a woman's right to it.

Gatsby throws parties to entice Daisy Buchanan, the love of his life. The magnificence of the gatherings underscores Gatsby's attempt to reclaim Daisy by achieving the American Dream of success, fortune, and social position. However, the superficiality of these events highlights the novel's portrayal of the American Dream as empty. Despite the glamor, the parties are attended by people who do not know Gatsby and have no interest in him, underscoring the futility of his quest.

One of the most well-known linguistic innovations in Ulysses is Joyce's use of stream of consciousness, a storytelling method that attempts to recreate the flow of thoughts and experiences in the human mind. This technique captures the fragmented, nonlinear form of mind. Characters' inner dialogues, memories, and immediate experiences combine fluidly, giving the reader a real-time experience of consciousness. For example, the protagonist, Leopold Bloom,'s thoughts are presented without clear distinctions between past and present, fantasy and reality, illustrating the chaotic and associative nature of thinking.