A research term paper completed at a college senior level in a Communication Criticism Seminar in the Media & Communications field of study (MCS 460.W: Seminar in Communication Criticism). This paper takes a look at one brief series of events concerning the Pussy Riot scandal in Russia.
Table of Contents
1. Pussy Abhor
2. Story Time
3. Putin On Airs
4. Behind The Music
5. From The Inside, Looking Out
6. Moving Forward
7. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this paper is to examine the power struggle between the Russian feminist punk collective Pussy Riot and the government led by President Vladimir Putin, using a narratological approach to analyze the conflicting stories presented by both sides. The paper seeks to expose the underlying political corruption and the suppression of free expression in Russia as highlighted by the Pussy Riot trial.
- Narratological analysis of political discourse in Russia
- Power dynamics between the State/Kremlin and activist groups
- The role of media in shaping conflicting narratives
- Freedom of speech and the repression of political opposition
- Ideological parallels between modern activism and historical counterculture
Excerpt from the Book
Story Time
Before I even knew what kind of methodology I wanted to use in my final analysis, I began my research by looking for articles that helped in giving me an overall, basic understanding of the story. I began by casting the many different parties involved in this case into two directly-opposing sides: Pussy Riot, and Putin’s Kremlin. Unfortunately, the more articles I uncovered, the more I realized how difficult finding an objective retelling of the facts was. On many occasions, the articles and texts I would read were very contradictory of each other. It was as if each of the two parties were trying to tell their own side of the story, and the two stories did not always line up. That is why I decided to approach my research with the theory of narratology in mind.
Narratology enables us as readers and viewers to take the content of a story and allows us to make sense out of it. Identifying the narratives that these public figures have been conveying has made it possible for me to make constructive arguments about the actions they took, statements they made, and what kinds of consequences they brought with them. It has also allowed me to make guided predictions about what future events might take place in this case. In return, it has made me aware that I should not always take what I read as truthful and objective.
Summary of Chapters
Pussy Abhor: Provides a historical background of the Pussy Riot case, detailing the band's performance in the Moscow Cathedral and their subsequent legal prosecution.
Story Time: Outlines the methodological approach of using narratology to navigate the subjective and often contradictory reports surrounding the conflict.
Putin On Airs: Examines the political ideologies of the Kremlin, focusing on nationalism, voter fraud, and the suppression of press freedom as mechanisms for maintaining power.
Behind The Music: Analyzes the collective mentality and unconventional structure of Pussy Riot, highlighting their self-identification as an anti-capitalist, activist group.
From The Inside, Looking Out: Draws parallels between the Pussy Riot protest and historical counterculture movements, such as Woodstock, to understand the band's ideological motivations.
Moving Forward: Critically evaluates the subjectivity of Russian political analysts and the evolving nature of the band's public image amidst state harassment.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, confirming the damaging impact of Putin’s governance on civil society and predicting continued political instability.
Keywords
Pussy Riot, Vladimir Putin, Kremlin, Narratology, Protest, Russia, Freedom of Speech, Civil Society, Nationalism, Activism, Political Corruption, Human Rights, Ideology, Censorship, Trial
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this research paper?
The paper explores the power struggle and the clash of narratives between the Russian punk collective Pussy Riot and the administration of President Vladimir Putin.
What are the central themes of the work?
Key themes include freedom of expression, state-sponsored media manipulation, the erosion of democratic institutions in Russia, and the power of protest music.
What is the central research question?
The research seeks to analyze how different parties construct narratives to control public perception of the Pussy Riot trial and what this reveals about the broader political climate in Russia.
Which scientific method is utilized?
The author employs narratology, a theoretical framework for analyzing how stories and narratives are structured and used to shape arguments and influence public opinion.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
The main body examines the ideological differences between the Kremlin and the activists, the history of Pussy Riot, and a critical analysis of diverse journalistic sources covering the trial.
Which keywords best characterize the paper?
The paper is best characterized by terms like Pussy Riot, Vladimir Putin, political corruption, narratology, and censorship.
How does the author handle the bias in media reporting?
The author acknowledges the high level of subjectivity in the sources and uses narratological theory to deconstruct conflicting accounts rather than accepting them as objective facts.
What specific role did the Russian Orthodox Church play in this conflict?
The paper discusses the church's collaboration with the state, noting that its favored status and the state's support of the Patriarchate undermine the independence of religious and secular spheres.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Chris Fox (Autor:in), 2012, Pussy Abhor. Musical expression as a from of protest, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/210798
