Section Specific Narrative Article Plan For “Hero” (Ying Xiong).

 
Section Specific Narrative Article Plan For “Hero” (Ying Xiong). 
(Written by Yang Qing Ling, 0505.) 
 
1)  Title: “Hero”. 
 
2)  Introduction: About assassination attempts on Qin Shi Huang, by some people from the land of Zhao. 
 
3)  Setting (time): The “Zhao Guo” period (about 230 B.C.). 
 
4)  Setting (place): The land of Xian Yang – various places in the land of Qin, and the land of Zhao. 
 
5)  Characters: 
(a) Wu Ming (“Nameless”) – From Zhao – an orphan – has secretly become a citizen of Qin – a “counter-terrorism policeman” of sorts – his real task is to kill Qin Shi Huang – a sword master – has strong sense of honor – at end, he changes his mind, and lets Qin Shi Huang live. 
(b) Qin Shi Huang – the King of Qin – very wise – cruel – brave – a philosopher – misunderstood by his own courtiers – a man of honor. 
(c) Can Jian (“Broken Sword”) – a sword master – from Zhao – also wanted to kill Qin Shi Huang – had the “Tian Xia” idea – very close to Fei Xue – brave – changed his mind about trying to kill Qin Shi Huang. 
(d) Fei Xue (“Flying Snow”) – Can Jian’s lover – a sword master – from Zhao – also wanted to kill Qin Shi Huang – a bit arrogant – very determined. 
(d) Xiao Yue (“Moon”) – Can Jian’s apprentice (in the art of the sword) – impulsive – brave emotional. 
(e) Chang Kong – from Zhao – also wanted to kill Qin Shi Huang – a master of the spear. 
(f) Qin Shi Huang’s courtiers – cruel – ruthless – cunning. 
 
6)  Plot Summary: 
     [Note: There is no formal plot sequence – this film is a series of “dream scenes” – many “flash-backs” – there are three “levels” to this plot: (i) the dialogs between Qin Shi Huang and Wu Ming, (ii) the actions of the Zhao assassins, and (ii) the general flow of history – the director, Zhang Yi Mou, has the actors wearing different-colored clothes at different points, to divide the overall story into thematic sections.] 
     Basic plot: 
(a) Wu Ming’s family killed. 
(b) Wu Ming joins the forces of Zhao, and plans to kill Qin Shi Huang. 
(c) An earlier assassination plot fails. 
(d) Wu Ming does not allow Qin Shi Huang to die in the last fight. 
(e) Wu Ming dies. 
     Other notes: 
All elements of tragedy are contained in, and controlled by, the dialogs between Qin Shi Huang and Wu Ming (i.e., plot, motive, conflict, tension, unity, and others... c.f. Aristotle’s “Poetics”).
7)  Conflict: 
(a) Kill Qin Shi Huang, or follow the “Tian Xia” idea? 
(b) Qin Shi Huang, and Zhao. 
(c) Fei Xue, and Can Jian. 
(d) Xiao Yue, and Fei Xue. 
(e) Between the creeds of “revenge”, and “national unity”. 
 
8)  Resolution of Conflict: 
(a) “Tian Xia” idea wins. 
(b) Zhao was destroyed. 
(c) Fei Xue killed Can Jian, because of something / someone else. 
(d) No real resolution; Xiao Yue is the last survivor. 
(e) “National unity” wins.  However, most of the main players are dead. 
 
9)  Conclusion: 
(a) Zhang Yi Mou (the director) makes people think. 
(b) This film is rich in symbols. 
(c) There are many elements of ancient Greek tragedy in this film. 
(d) Zhang Yi Mou is a master philosopher, subtly sharing various ideas with his audience. 
(e) A great film!