Legen- wait for the frame- Dary

Barney Stinson... the name alone can stir any HIMYM fan to smile. Barney is emotionally flawed, overly confident, and totally lovable. We see him transform from a total man-whore to a loving daddy within the span of the nine seasons. Barney is also a very complex character within the scheme of the show because of framing. I am looking at the way the Barney is rhetorically self-framed, framed within the "gang," and framed by the audience.

But, before we go too far let me give a brief explanation of framing. Burgchart explains that framing comprises of theoretical perspectives on how individuals, groups, and societies, organize, perceive, and communicate about reality (2010). In Ott and Aoki's article on tragic framing, they explain that "Frame analysis looks to see how a situation or event is names/defined, and how that naming shapes public opinion. It accomplishes this analysis by highlighting the inherent biases in all storytelling, namely selectively (what is included and excluded in the story?), and structure (how does the story formally play out?)" (Burgchardt, 2010, 272). Framing is essentially the lens through which we see ourselves, others see us, and we see others. Framing can change based on context and can also change based on perspective.

The first perspective we are going to look at is Barney Stinson looking at Barney Stinson. Without looking at every single moment in painstaking detail we have an overall idea that the frame that Barney sees himself in is Epic. An epic frame pairs a hero with the grand scale of the context and often leads to the elevation of the individual (Jones 2016). Throughout the series, we see Barney refer to himself as "the king" or "the master" or many other titles that imply over-confidence. Barney also states that he watches himself have sex with girls to keep his game sharp. We also see how he puts himself up on his pedestal with the phrase "challenge accepted!" Barney thinks he can do anything that others deem impossible. There is even an episode where it is confirmed that Barney is a narcissist and goes to therapy for this mental disorder. Looking through this frame makes a lot of sense when you know the kind of character he is. Barney is a womanizer and often does not care about other people's feelings. This frame is very effective from the reflectional perspective.

Next, let's take a look at what frame the gang sees Barney in. When looking at how the gang reacts to Barney throughout the years it is pretty clear that the gang frames Barney tragically. Tragic framing leads to closure and scapegoats to relieve collective guilt or sin. It has a "let's not talk about it" kind of mindset (Jones, 2016). This is shown with how the gang is always slightly disgusted by Barney's antics and minimally tries to tell him how to be better even though they know he won't, but, they never do anything drastic about any of it because they are not Barney and will never be like him, therefore, it is not their problem. A great example of this is in "Intervention."(S4E4) The gang holds interventions for all of the member's biggest issues at the time but never bring up Barney's womanizing ways, just his use of magic. Considering, again, the role that Barney plays within the group, this frame is very effective because if you changed Barney as a person then the group dynamic as a whole would change.

http://previously.tv/how-i-met-your-mother/retconned-barney-meeting-mother/

Though, on a side note, when Tracy (the mother) joins the group we see someone come in who has wanted to change Barney for the better since the moment she met him ("Plantonish"(S9E9)). Based on the few encounters we see with the mother, I want to add in a subcategory of Tracy's framing of Barney as comic. Comic framing has an emphasis on humility, self-awareness and reflection, and shared responsibility (Jones, 2016). It also often leads to conversation and action. When looking at the results Tracy yielded in just the one conversation with Barney (getting him to propose and marry Robin), I would definitely argue that the use of this frame is very effective.

Now, moving on to the final perspective: the frame that the audience sees Barney in. Now Barney is often used as a comic device and so some might argue that he is supposed to be viewed by the audience through the satirical or burlesque frame but, because there is an emphasis on absurdity in Barney's life and no seeking for reform, I would argue that we are using the grotesque frame (Jones, 2016). We often pity Barney when he gets shut down by a woman or just when we feel like what he is doing is for some other underlying reason. Barney's character is representing the problem our generation has with social and intimate relationships, but does it in an entertaining way. He ends up being the hero oftentimes, like when he went to San Francisco to get Lily back for Marshall ("Bachelor Party" (S2E19)) or when he "catches feelings" for Robin ("Miracles"(S3E20)). This frame is set in place for us, as viewers, to set us up for the evolution of Barney Stinson. When Barney starts to change his ways, we are totally prepared for it, and it is not out of character. When Barney marry's Robin we completely understand it. And when Barney changes for good after he meets his daughter, we feel completely satisfied. This frame is very effective for the audience's perspective on Barney Stinson.

http://i.perezhilton.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/barney-baby.gif

When looking at Barney from these different frames you get to see a little different perspective on him overall. Looking at the epic, tragic, comic, and ultimately the grotesque frame show just how multi-dimensional this seemingly simple character is. With this rhetorical knowledge I now feel better equipped to "Suit Up!" and work my way through more of the "Awesome" story of How I Met Your Mother.

References:
Burgchardt, C. (2010). Readings in Rhetorical Criticism (4th ed.). Strata: State College.

Jones, H. (2016). Class notes on framing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuLcxg5VGuo