Jeremy suggests that because of Chris's physical build and assumed quality of genetics, he would be "a f*cking beast" if he trained in MMA fighting.
He expresses his hatred of deer in a way that a person would express their hatred of a group of people.
Primary Signifier: A detached deer head.
Primary Signified: There is a mounted deer head in front of Chris.
Denotation - There's a dead deer in front of Chris.
Secondary Signifier: The mounted deer head is in front of Chris.
Secondary Signified: The deer is a displayed like a trophy.
Connotation - The deer represents the hunting of black bodies.
Myth: The deer signifies Chris's victimization and his intended fate.
Roland Barthes
Mythology
What is Myth?
Roland Barthes describes myth as a type of speech; in this context, speech does not strictly apply to oral speech. Speech can consist of anything from different modes of writing or representations, photography, cinema - anything can be considered speech. And through this speech, dominant ideologies are perpetuated and presented as 'natural' phenomenon. Generally, myth serves to promote and defend the interests of dominant groups in society; reaffirming the prevailing structures of power.
What are Signs?
Myth is composed of two semiological systems which produce the Primary and Secondary signs.
Signs are the product of a signifier and a signified:
The signifier is the visual representation of something while the signified is the mental image, or concept, that is associated with the representation.
The sign produced in the Primary level of signification represents the denotation - the literal interpretation - of an image.
The sign produced in the Secondary level of signification is a result of the sign from the Primary level and its respective signified. The resulting sign is the connotation - the contextual, subjective interpretation - of the image.
This connotation is the essence of Myth.
Signs in "Get Out"
Deer
Primary Signifier: "cotton"
Primary Signified: A fluffy white material
Denotation - Cotton is a fluffy white material.
Secondary Signifier: Cotton is a fluffy white material.
Secondary Signified: Cotton is a product of slave labor.
Connotation - He uses a product that was meant to trap him to help himself.
Myth: Chris uses a product of slavery to save himself from becoming a slave again.
Cotton
Myth as "Natural"
Primary Signifier: Silver spoon
Primary Signified: Silver eating utensil
Denotation - It's just a silver spoon.
Secondary Signifier: It's a silver spoon.
Secondary Signified: "Silver spoon" refers to those who grew up privileged.
Connotation - The spoon is a tool for hypnosis and an exertion of power through privilege.
Myth: The silver spoon represents the power and privilege that the hypnotist uses against Chris.
Silver Spoon
