Literary Genre (Leaving Cert English): Revision Notes

Literary Genre

1. Genre and Style

• The Banshees of Inisherin blends tragicomedy, psychological drama, and absurdist theatre, characteristic of Martin McDonagh's writing style.
• The film's tone shifts between dark humour and emotional devastation, often within the same scene.
  • For example, Colm's self-mutilation is both grotesque and strangely matter-of-fact: "I said I'd do it, Pádraic."
• The absurdity of the central conflict (a man ending a friendship for being "dull") highlights the existential undertones of the film, echoing works by Beckett and Ionesco.

2. Setting and Symbolism

• The island of Inisherin is both a literal and symbolic setting:
  • Isolated, remote, and static, it mirrors the emotional paralysis of its characters.
  • The fog, grey skies, and rocky landscapes reflect the bleak emotional tone of the narrative.
  • Symbolic elements include:
  • The donkey Jenny: innocence, companionship, and the unintended victims of senseless conflict.
  • Colm's severed fingers: the self-destructive nature of stubbornness and pride.
  • Fire (burning house): transformation, destruction, and the finality of broken bonds.

3. Cinematography and Visual Style

• Cinematographer Ben Davis creates a haunting and immersive visual language that captures both the physical beauty and emotional bleakness of Inisherin. Use of Natural Landscapes

• Wide shots of the rugged Irish coastline and windswept fields emphasise the isolation and loneliness of the characters.

  • These vistas are often empty or feature a lone figure, visually reinforcing the film's themes of detachment and alienation.
  • Example: Pádraic walking alone across a vast landscape after Colm's rejection. Muted Colour Palette

• The film uses soft greys, browns, and earthy tones, mirroring the emotional stagnation and moral greyness of the story.

  • There is very little visual warmth, even in domestic scenes, creating a sense of unchanging routine and quiet despair. Framing and Blocking

• Colm and Pádraic are often framed with visual distance between them — seated at opposite ends of the pub, standing on opposite sides of roads or fences.

  • This subtle framing underlines their emotional division and the unnatural fracture in their relationship. Symbolic Composition

• Important symbols (like the donkey, the burning house, or the severed fingers) are often shot in still, lingering close-ups, allowing the viewer to absorb their emotional weight without overt commentary.

  • The shots are restrained, giving space for the symbolism to resonate.

4. Sound, Music, and Editing

Use of Silence

• Silence plays a key role in the film, often used to intensify discomfort, isolation, or emotional distance.

  • Long pauses between characters—especially in scenes between Pádraic and Colm—create a sense of unease.
  • The lack of dialogue in crucial scenes (e.g. Colm's fingers being thrown at the door) allows the emotion to sit heavy with the viewer.
  • Silence often replaces music, heightening the rawness and stark emotional tone of the film. Musical Score

• The original score by Carter Burwell is minimalist and haunting, made up of gentle piano, harp, and subtle strings.

  • The music adds a fairy-tale-like quality, creating a contrast between the beauty of the setting and the darkness of the story.
  • The score rarely swells with emotion—its restraint mirrors the characters' emotional repression. Diegetic Sound

• Island sounds—wind, waves, hooves, and the clip of shoes on stone—are emphasised to anchor the film in its naturalistic setting.

  • These sounds build the atmosphere of isolation and routine.
  • The sound of gunfire on the mainland acts as a distant but ever-present reminder of larger conflict. Pacing and Editing

• The film's measured pacing reflects the monotony of island life, allowing tension to build slowly.

  • Scenes linger longer than expected, often focusing on facial expressions or awkward silences.
  • This slow rhythm mirrors the emotional stagnation of the characters, making the violent moments feel even more jarring when they arrive.