Linking Narrative & Genre Theory to 'Brave' - Sara Bareilles

Narrative Theory
This music video is very similar to Colbie's in terms of narrative, as there isn't a clear linear structure, however when you look closely, there is one. The story builds up towards the end and follows each individual person showing their 'brave' to the world and their journey building up to that. 

I would say that this music video links mostly to Barthes, as there is a slight enigma throughout this music video, as the audience aren't really clear what's going to on to start off with as there are just a number of different people dancing around in different places, however there is an underlying message/story and the ending shows this in a great way and allows closure for the audience as each individual encourages other people to show their 'brave', when the old lady joins in dancing and the women gets up from the chair and starts to dance with the man. The story basically denotes people dancing, however when you look deeper the narrative does connote a beautiful message of 'be brave and be who you want to be'. 

I guess this video does link to Claude Levi-Strauss' theory, as there are clear binary oppositions with the brave people and the rest of the public, showing their beliefs/values through being brave and dancing. The meaning of the video allows the audience to feel more comforted and happy as there is an underlying story.

Genre Theory
I would define this song as more of a message rather than a typical song. It encourages people to be who they want to be and to see the other people in the video gaining pleasure and recognition from doing so, it allows the audience to want to do the same. In terms of the type of target audience who would listen/watch this music video, I think it'd be those who're less comfortable with themselves, trying to gain ideas and confidence to become who they want. Again, they're comforted with the fact that it's ok to do that.

I think the narrative has been done very cleverly, as there isn't a clear structure like a beginning/middle/end, however the enigma within the music video captures the audiences attention more I think because there is a deeper meaning. The genre also expresses a really lovely message to the audience, as it allows those who're less comfortable with themselves to start just being themselves and show their inner 'brave'. I think this allows Sara Bareilles to be shown as a strong, outgoing person, who isn't afraid to say what she thinks and be who she wants to be. I think this alone will influence the target audience because if they think that a famous person can be who they want to be and express their beliefs, then they too can be themselves and not be afraid.