Table of Contents
Theme inhabits every part of a screenplay, and its power cannot be overstated.
With a simple seed of an idea, a story can evolve into a profound exploration of societal issues and deeply affect the audience. The Academy Award-winning film Parasite, written by Bong Joon-ho and Han Jin-won, is a masterclass in weaving theme effectively.
But how does it do this?
In this article, we'll examine how Parasite's theme of class inequality is seamlessly integrated into the script, acts, scenes, and characters. By analyzing these elements, you can gain a deeper understanding of how to incorporate theme into your own writing.
So let’s get started...
Character’s Beliefs Define the Two Sides of Class Inequality
A topic like class inequality is too broad for a screenplay, so the focus must narrow.
A screenwriter starts by defining a thematic subject through dramatic conflict: a protagonist wants something; an antagonist stops them. Rather than desire for external goals, we deal with internal values and beliefs.
For Parasite, the obvious choice is: poor versus rich.
But this still doesn’t represent a belief system we can apply to a screenplay.
To uncover Parasite's opposing thematic values, we must examine the characters' actions, dialogue, and choices.
Desire Drives the External Side of Theme
The Kim family infiltrates the Park family’s home in search of a better life.
Their actions reveal their belief that they can rise above their impoverished circumstances. They have a plan. Desire propels both the plot and the external side of the theme.
‘Poor vs. Rich’ evolves into ‘Poverty vs. Wealth’
Subtext Explores the Internal Side of Theme
Mr. Park believes his employees shouldn’t cross the line; his son thinks they smell different.
The subtext of their comments—what is implied and not said—oppresses the poor and reminds them of their lower status.
‘Poverty vs. Wealth’ becomes ‘Poverty vs. Oppression’.
Ki-taek’s Impossible Choice
The protagonist's choice at the story's climax conveys the theme to the audience.
In Parasite, Ki-taek faces an impossible dilemma: return to poverty or serve the wealthy. He finds oppression while serving the rich unbearable. When he stabs Mr. Park, the choice is made for him; he must accept poverty.
Poverty vs Oppression : Parasite’s Thematic Values Defined
In Parasite, the characters' actions and dialogue reveal opposing thematic values.
The Kim family dreams of escaping poverty but must accept their reality as servants to the wealthy Park family. The Parks believe the lower classes should know their place and not overstep. We watch as two opposing values clash, the poor struggling against the rich.
So, Parasite’s thematic values can be defined as: poverty vs. oppression.
But we're not done yet...
But Wait, Can I ask a (Thematic) Question?
A screenplay's external plot is framed by a Dramatic Question: Will the Kim family infiltrate the Park house?
This question is planted in the audience's mind. They want the answer, so they keep watching to see what happens next. A Thematic Question works the same way but raises the question in the story's subtext.
Parasite asks: Can Seoul's poor escape the basements and find a better life?
Now, with opposing values and a question, we're ready to apply this to our act structure.
Frame your Acts with a Thematic Question
The thematic question provides unity to your screenplay's structure.
Posing it in Act One and answering it in Act Three creates connectivity, framing the story. Act Two then explores both sides of the thematic values.
It takes the form of: thesis, antithesis, and synthesis.
Thesis - The Question Asked
Act One raises the thematic question: Can Seoul's poor escape poverty and find better lives?
Symbols represent one aspect of the theme. The scholar rock symbolizes the Kim family's desire for a better life. Socks and smell represent the difference between rich and poor.
Antithesis - Thematic Values Collide
Act Two explores poverty and oppression.
The Kim family tries to climb the social ladder, but the Parks keep them in their place. Mr. Park refers directly to Ki-taek’s smell and him crossing the line.
By the end of Act Two, the class inequality dynamic has been established.
Synthesis - The Question Answered
Act Three answers the thematic question: The poor can have marginally better lives if they accept their place as servants to the wealthy.
How Scenes Explore Thematic Values
A screenwriter uses scenes to explore how opposing beliefs and value systems conflict.
Posing the thematic question establishes structure. Now desire, symbols, dialogue and subtext demonstrate the struggle between rich and poor. The audience observes two intertwined stories unfold: The Kims infiltrating the Park household, and the inequality between affluent and underprivileged classes.
To apply theme to a Parasite scene contains at least one crucial element, if not more:
Desire for a Better Life
The Kim family's desire for a better life drives the external plot.
Their desire also expresses the thematic value of overcoming poverty and their efforts to escape it. For screenwriters, this is the easier side of a theme to write, as it's embedded in the protagonists' external actions and goal pursuit.
Rich and Poor Class Divide
To answer the thematic question for the audience, it is important they understand the difference between rich and poor.
In Parasite, class contrast is everywhere. The rich live atop the city in spacious homes; the poor inhabit cramped basements below. The poor smell different.
Scenes in Parasite are cleverly designed to subtly show the poverty versus oppression dynamic.
Crossing the Line
The oppression side of the theme is primarily expressed through subtextual dialogue.
As Mr. Park expresses his views on the poor, he indirectly forces them to remain in their lower positions as servants.
Demanding an Answer to the Thematic Question
The ending of Act Two forces a thematic resolution in Act Three's climax.
Trapped in a homeless shelter, Ki-taek has no choice but to accept a life of servitude to the wealthy. He can neither quit his job nor bear the upper class's oppression.
It's an impossible choice with no favorable outcome.
But the climax will compel Ki-taek to select one over the other. By stabbing Mr. Park, Ki-taek chooses poverty and resolves the thematic dilemma.
Steal this Thematic Structure
We’ve now defined a thematic structure to allow you to apply high-level concepts to your story, acts, scenes and characters.
Analyze Parasite, identify its thematic elements and consider its central thematic question.
Then apply these to your own screenplay to transform your story and engage your audience on a deeper, emotional level.
See you soon...
