‘The Power of the N-Word in Tarantino’s Films: Black Intolerance and/or White Audacity?’

Abstract

espanolQuentin Tarantino es una figura controvertida cuyo uso caracteristico del lenguaje ofensivo y la violencia explicita han sido objeto de censura. El uso constante de la palabra nigger ha sido una fuente particular de consternacion para sus detractores. En este articulo, se ofrece un examen detallado del uso de la palabra nigger por personas blancas en una amplia gama de contextos discursivos. Comenzare con un analisis cuantitativo del uso de la palabra en cuestion en las ocho peliculas dirigidas por Tarantino - Reservoir Dogs (1992), Pulp Fiction (1994), Jackie Brown (1997), Four Rooms (1995), Kill Bill Vol. I y II) (2003 y 2004), Death Proof (2007), Inglorious Basterds (2009) y Django (2013) - seguido de algunas frases seleccionadas extraidas de aquellas peliculas en las que la presencia de la palabra nigger es palpable. EnglishQuentin Tarantino is a controversial figure, whose trademark use of offensive language and explicit violence have, in particular, been subject to censure. A source of consternation for his detractors is the constant use of the N-word. In this article, I offer a detailed examination of the use of the N-word by white people in a broad range of discursive contexts. I begin with a quantitative analysis in the eight films directed by Tarantino –Reservoir Dogs (1992), Pulp Fiction (1994), Jackie Brown (1997), Four Rooms (1995), Kill Bill (vol. I & II) (2003 & 2004), Death Proof (2007), Inglorious Basterds (2009), and Django Unchained(2013) – followed by choice phrases extracted from those films in which the presence of the N-word is most palpable.