Textual analysis - Song "We're breaking free"

High School Musical textual analysis

Song scene: “What I’ve been looking for”

The clip shown below is the penultimate song titled “We’re breaking free” from the Disney channel’s hit DCOM ‘High School Musical’.

Characters Troy and Gabriella stand on stage ready to sing. Troy stands wearing his ‘Wildcats’ Tracksuit and Gabriella wearing her lab coat. Their outfits, act as props as they represent their different identities (Troy as a sportsman and Gabriella as a genius) by playing upon stereotypes. The use of stereotypes in this way appeals to the target ‘tweenage’ audience as they are easily identifiable and so make viewing and interpreting the film easier. By wearing these clothes on stage together the characters display how they are able to have different interests and roles (i.e. to sing and have other interests) at the same time without clashing and still be accepted by their peers for who they are. By doing so the characters display how they have broken away from merely accepting the status quo. This is confirmed further through the parallel lyrics of the song “we’re breaking free”, as the characters have finally broken away from the constraints and confines of peer pressure and are happy and confident enough to display their individual identities.Their new found acceptance by their peers is signified through the standing applause that they receive connoting support and solidarity.

Moreover, dark lighting combined with stage spot lights is used on stage in order to help create a theatrical effect, conforming to what can be seen as a main convention of film musicals. The dark lighting used on stage also helps to create a slightly tense atmosphere as the two characters stand nervous on stage. The spot lights used also help to intensify this feeling of apprehension as all attention is focussed upon the two main characters on stage. Additionally, the dark lighting also helps to convey key ideologies such as love by creating a romantic effect.

The relationship between the two characters is shown further through their presence on stage. Character Troy begins to sing first and also offers his hand out to Gabriella who appears to be more frightened. Gabriella’s hand rests on top of Troy’s hand representing that she is weaker and inferior to him as she requires his support, thus introducing a slightly patriarchal ideology.