Pop Culture vs. High Culture in Pulp Fiction

9/11/08
"Popular Culture and High Culture Collide" and Pulp Fiction

In the film Pulp Fiction, Tarantino surrounds us with familar pop culture, yet seems to include very subtle aspects of high culture. In the film, Marcellus' men, Vincent and Jules appear to be the stereotypical mobsters. We first see them in black suits very typical in mobster films such as The Godfather; however, both men are adorned with narrow black ties reminiscent of the Beatles. In addition, Jules' hair appears straight out of the 70s, seemingly overdone with wild sideburns. Furthermore, Vincent appears with shoulder length hair similar to the style of the 80s, but has been greased similar to that of the 30s mobster. The film itslef is composed of three parts, similar to the classic style of the symphony and many of the scenes that include blood and gore are done way over the top to represent the classic slasher film. In addition to pop culture, the film exudes a sense of postmodernism with the film lacking a linear direction. One of the characters, Butch, represents the postmodern hero; lacking virtue, yet ends up helping his enemy in his time of need.