Texas Chainsaw/ Blood for Oil Response

1)       "Blood for Oil" is film studies scholarship that supports its argument by thinking through metonymy.  What is metonymy and why is it important for analysis and creative practice?

 Metonymy is a figure of speech that consists of the use of the name of one object for that of another to which the object is related. This concept can somewhat be poetic and teases for a deeper meaning. Metonymy is important for analysis and creative practice because it can be demonstrated to to suggest a difference between actions or events. 

2)      "Blood for Oil" studies scholarship that is new historicist in its framework.  What is new historicism and why does it matter?

 New Historicism is a literary theory based on the idea that literature should be studied and intrepreted within the context of both the history of the author and the history of the critic.This could bring awareness on certain roles or effects that the historical era portrays. 

3)      The article begins with an analysis of the written and aural components of the film’s opening.  Why?  (This analysis carries through to the analysis of Franklin, the generator, and the chain saw itself.)

The article beings with an analysis of the written and aural components of the film's opening because it is a significant component of the movie. This is shown in the opening news casting segment, describing the recent horrific events of the town, such as the doings of the grave robbers and the on going oil crisis. 

4)      Corporate signage figures heavily in the argument.  Why does genre matter to how we think about corporate signifiers? 

Corporate signage and branding is something we are bombarded with everyday in our world of media. When we see logos and signs, it is familiar to us and relatable. In Texas Chainsaw massacre, the use of signage at the gas station called "Gulf", signifies a representation and connection with middle America.