THE IDEALISTIC PRESIDENT: AN ANALYSIS OF THE WEST WING: SEASON 4 USING METAPHORIC CRITICISM

This thesis project focused on the verbal and visual metaphors found in Season 4 of The West Wing. This American political drama follows President Jed Bartlet and his staff as they fight the good fight in the name of American democracy. Because of the time restraints in episodic television series, metaphors are used to connect viewers with sometimes unfamiliar political jargon and ideas. Recurring metaphors are a roadmap to understanding politics by connecting prior knowledge and experiences. This study used metaphorical analysis to examine what verbal and visual metaphors were used in Season 4. Verbal and visual metaphors were divided into major and minor tenors. Major tenors focused on President Bartlet and his administration. Minor tenors examined storylines or issues involving the staff. Major verbal tenors were integrity, sports, humility. Minor verbal tenors were sacrifice, grief, and time. Major visual tenors were foreshadowing of danger and the Walk and Talk camera angle. Minor tenors were connections to voters and fresh starts. Tenor and vehicle were analyzed for both verbal and visual metaphors. The use of dark and light was examined in visual metaphors. The study determined that the verbal and visual metaphors found in Season 4 connected viewers to how the president and his staff handle daily affairs. It also supports those metaphors did help the audience to understand complex political ideas through prior knowledge and experience.