A Multimodal Framework for Computer Mediated Learning: The Reshaping of Curriculum Knowledge and Learning

by George disrupts the equilibrium of the visual arrangement. It is this movement
which heralds the first edit of the sequence. The edit emphasises the character
Lennie’s disruption of George’s space with a shift in viewer distance and angle. In
the next two shots the characters are both represented, but compositionally it is
Lennie who is visually foregrounded who dominates the space of the screen
(Transcript 4.1 image (c) and (d)). Lennie is represented as ‘breaking’ the spatial
framing∕boundaries of the screen. Lennie is represented as disruptive through his
movement in this compositional space. The stillness of George and his boundaried
spatial framing add to the multimodal construction of his character as ‘stable’.

Writing to Speech

Speech and voice-quality are modal resources that contribute to the multimodal
transformation of character. The voice of the character George is represented as slow,
and clear - each word is distinct and boundaried - and he speaks in a level tone. His
voice is relaxed, smooth, full, and unwavering. In contrast, the voice of Lennie is
quick, and stuttering. As he speaks his voice is breathless, his words are shortened,
the words run together and become mixed-up. He talks loudly, and the words ‘shake’
as they stumble out of his mouth. This re-presentation of the characters - through
voice quality is the result of choices from a range of aural possibilities, choices that
carry meaning. The slow rhythm, normative level, and evenness of George’s voice
quality combine to form a sign of calmness and stability. The fast and faltering
quality of Lennie’s voice quality signals the meaning of instability and lack of
control: the exaggerated stutter serves to remove any sense of clarity. This use of
voice emphasises the contrast between the two characters, and marks Lennie’s lack of
control and his potentially dangerous nature from the start. It provides a less
sympathetic view of Lennie and places the relationship of the characters Lennie and
George in the context of control and power rather than of friendship.

‘What is said’ by the characters in the novel is also transformed in the move from
page to screen. Those words spoken by George which come from ‘slang’ are

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