Thesis Proposal

Chris Carter’s storytelling is often an interesting amalgam of modern style and content with classic themes. This is something I want to express in my paper. Carter takes classic themes like the battle between good and evil, and applies styles to them that appeal to a modern audience, while simultaneously using both subtle and obvious metaphor to comment on society and current events. Some of the metaphors that Carter uses are obvious. The Conspiracy in The X-Files undoubtedly represents a corrupt government, and Mulder’s fervor for his cause the people’s mistrust in it. But subtle questions still remain unanswered in the average viewer’s mind: what or who do the alien colonists themselves represent?
In addition to surveying the more obvious metaphors in Carter’s writing, and their implications, my paper will pinpoint and deconstruct the more subtle metaphors that leave the pensive viewer wondering. Specifically, it will address how Carter uses “shapeshifting” characters like Walter Skinner to obscure the boundary between good and evil forces. These characters’ internal struggle and faults make them appealing and relatable to the viewer. They are also analogous to the societal or “big-picture” struggle between good and evil. As well, it will anatomize the use of character, comparing the characteristics of the heroes in Carter’s stories to each other and analyzing how they serve their respective goals for storytelling. Fox Mulder and Frank Black are two very different characters. Their respective attributes give a different mood and are illustrative of contrasting styles and modes of storytelling. Mulder is a young, passionate, sometimes misguided crusader who often finds himself at the mercy of vast, formidable powers beyond his influence. Frank Black is a somehow enlightened, semi-psychic, worldly man who always has insight greater than his peers. Where Mulder operates in an earthly realm of emotion-driven mortal pursuits, Frank Black is a cosmic being who is more bound by his emotional self than empowered by it. These are the kinds of themes my paper will deconstruct and analyze, all the while linking themes to stylistic choices, and attempting to draw conclusions about Carter’s thought process in choosing character / style / theme compositions.
In order to prove the idea that Carter does in fact use a deeper layer of metaphor to make commentary, I will have to add to and expound upon the current subsection ideas I have so far. Citing previous literary analyses of The X-Files in particular will be a must. Original air date criticism from popular and ‘cult’ sources will give new insight into possible social commentary at the time of original writing/airing, and show two differing perspectives on Carter’s tales. Further perspective can be gained from Carter’s own book Parapsychology and the Skeptics: A Scientific Argument for the Existence of ESP. Although having nearly nothing to do with his own writings, Carter’s only published work will be essential in acquiring an understanding of Carter’s own voice, argumentative style, and thought processes; and to some degree his personalty.
With multiple perspectives, a solid, directed thesis, and clear intentions, it should not be difficult to present a balanced, in-depth analysis of Chris Carter’s vastly intricate blending of style and metaphor to create entertaining yet poignant television.