Baker, Kylie, et al. “The Princess Bride in Four Frames.” Film Matters, vol. 13, no. 2, 2022, pp. 127-132. Web.
In this detailed and well-structured analysis, Baker and her co-authors delve deeply into the film adaptation of The Princess Bride, concentrating on four key frames that visually embody the story’s central themes, including the arbitrary nature of time and history. Utilizing a visual analysis approach, the authors contend that these selected frames encapsulate the essence of the film’s narrative and thematic core, highlighting the importance of visual storytelling in conveying the story’s intricate layers. Throughout their examination, the authors provide a thought-provoking and comprehensive perspective on the film’s visual representation of its themes. They discuss the significance of the chosen frames in terms of both their narrative and thematic content, as well as their contribution to the overall structure and impact of the film.
The authors demonstrate a keen understanding of visual storytelling techniques and the importance of individual frames in creating a cohesive and effective cinematic experience, which represents a significant strength of the article. However, despite the valuable insights offered by this study, it may not delve as deeply into the novel’s treatment of time and history as it does into the films, which is an apparent weakness. While the authors touch upon the themes of time and history in their analysis, their primary focus is on the visual aspects of the film adaptation. Consequently, readers seeking a more comprehensive exploration of these themes as they relate to the original novel may find that this study does not fully address their interests.
D’Souza, Anita, and Sagar Lonial. “What The Princess Bride Teaches Us About Outcomes in Multiple Myeloma.” Journal of Clinical Oncology, vol. 39, no. 22, 2021, pp. 2423-2425. Web.
In this innovative and thought-provoking article, D’Souza and Lonial draw inspiration from The Princess Bride, using the narrative as a metaphor to explore and discuss treatment outcomes in multiple myeloma, a type of cancer. They creatively connect the novel’s themes and plot elements to the intricate and multifaceted process of medical decision-making, highlighting the challenges healthcare professionals and patients face. By engaging with The Princess Bride in this manner, the authors demonstrate the novel’s potential for inspiring meaningful discussions and providing valuable insights into various aspects of life, including the complexities of medical care. As a result, the article gains a significant advantage as a critical piece. D’Souza and Lonial showcase the versatility of literature, illustrating how even a work of fiction can serve as a springboard for deeper understanding and reflection on real-world issues.
However, despite the uniqueness and richness of this perspective on The Princess Bride, it is essential to note that the article has specific weaknesses. Specifically, it does not directly analyze the novel or focus on exploring time and history’s arbitrary nature within the text. As a result, readers seeking a source that explicitly addresses these themes in the context of The Princess Bride may find that this article does not entirely meet their needs. Nevertheless, the piece stands as a testament to the power of literature to inspire new ways of thinking and generate meaningful connections across seemingly disparate fields.
Falls, Don. “True Love and False Fronts.” The Princess Bride and Philosophy by Greene and Robinson, Open Court, 2015, pp. 13-18.
The article examines the concept of truth and falsehood as they pertain to the narrative of The Princess Bride and the core arcs of its characters. The author points the reader’s attention to the clever use of masks in the book to indicate the presence of mistrust and increase the emotional tension. Furthermore, Falls emphasizes that some characters are portrayed in a manner that defies the presence of any falsehood within their nature.
Particularly, the notion of the man of action is inherently linked to truthfulness. In contrast, the presence of a scheming and conniving nature is ascribed to those who cannot be trusted. The main strength of the article comes from its incisive analysis of the narrative and the core techniques used in it. However, the study suffers from a lack of evidence to support the core statements.
Mahon, James Edwin. “True Love and False Fronts” by Don Falls. “True Love and False Fronts.” The Princess Bride and Philosophy, edited by Greene and Robinson, from Open Court, 2015, pp. 19-26.
Mahon continues the theme of men of action representing true heroes who abstain from lies. Linking the ability to tell the truth to the notion of friendship, which serves as the underlying theme of the novel and the movie, Mahon emphasizes that the concept of truthfulness serves as a litmus paper for the nature of characters in The Princess Bride.
The focus on character development and the emergent themes in the novel and the movie constitute the core advantages of the article. However, the paper could focus more on only a handful of characters than on the entire range of the cast. Nevertheless, Mahon makes a compelling argument regarding how truth and falsehood are represented and utilized in the story.
Malloy, Daniel. “The Magic of a Promise.”The Princess Bride and Philosophy, a collection edited by Richard Greene and Rachel Robinson, published by Open Court, 2015, pp. 27-33.
The significance of truthfulness and the ability to be honest with others is examined further in Malloy’s article. The author studies the concept of a promise as a crucial plot device in the narrative of The Princess Bride and concludes that the concept of a promise represents the connective tissue within a community that keeps people united. The study examines the relationships between various characters, which serves to its benefit.
Specifically, in addition to Inigo’s promise, Malloy considers Westley’s character development and Buttercup’s arc. However, the article is also weak in providing little textual evidence. Nevertheless, the overall analysis offered by the author is robust and incisive, making it an essential addition to the discussion.
Sharp, Elizabeth A. “Modern Bridal Femininity: Navigating Niceness as a Princess Bride and a Bridezilla in the United States.” Feminism & Psychology, 2023. Web.
In her insightful and engaging article, Sharp delves into the complexities of modern bridal femininity, using the cultural term “princess bride” as a significant point of reference to frame her discussion. She explores how women navigate societal expectations surrounding weddings, femininity, and the contrasting ideals of being both a “princess bride” and a “bridezilla” in the United States. The main strength of Sharp’s analysis comes from her ability to uncover the intricate layers of cultural norms and pressures that shape the experiences of brides-to-be, shedding light on how women negotiate their identities within the context of contemporary wedding culture.
However, it is essential to note that while Sharp’s article offers valuable insights into broader cultural issues related to weddings and femininity, it does not directly engage with William Goldman’s The Princess Bride or delve into the novel’s specific themes related to the arbitrary nature of time and history, which is an apparent weakness. Consequently, Sharp’s article may not be an ideal fit for readers seeking a source that explicitly discusses The Princess Bride and its treatment of these themes. Nevertheless, her work presents a fascinating exploration of the broader cultural landscape in which the “princess bride” concept exists, providing an interesting lens through which to consider the broader implications and resonances of this term.