How Normal People Makes You Feel

How does Normal People craft such an immersive and emotive atmosphere? We explore a key scene in episode 4 and uncover the techniques behind the show's beautiful portrayal of it's central relationship between Connell Waldron and Marianne Sheridan.

Within A Theme are a group of creatives who've come together to make essays on TV/Film/Music/Literature and anything else we love discussing. Be sure to subscribe as we don't upload on a regular schedule, so it's the best way to keep up with all our videos.

Credits:

Written/Narrated/Edited by:

Jacob Frederick

Audio Engineer:

Lawrence Preacher

Other Within A Theme team members:

Laith Elzubaidi

James Moriarty

Please contact us to commission for writing/editing/design and any other creative endeavours.

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Ramy: Finding Meaning in Endless Failure:

Music:

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

'Sometimes' by Goldmund (Westernvinyl)

Footage:

Sally Rooney talks to Kishani Widyaratna about 'Normal People'- London Review Bookshop

[annaymous]

They’re afraid yet so unafraid of each other.

[melanieedwards]

It just feels so intimate and personal, I can’t believe I was watching a show and not someone’s literal life story

[passiveaggressive]

I loved how Connell went from being the big star on campus at school and Marianne the awkward teen and flipping the narrative when they attend Trinity.
Also frustrated that he did not recognise how much he destroyed her at school. She adored him and he never got it until the very end

[AM.]

i don't think i could ever get over this show. truly, it has touched me in ways i could only imagine. such a no-brainer how one could conveyed such feelings into a show.

[johnpauldagondong]

This is one of the few cases where the TV show is much better than the book. Here, we actually see more of their nuanced emotions unlike in the book where everything was a little bit stale and hidden, like a jewel buried on a mountain of sand. You feel the coarseness of the surface, you know that there is a deeper layer of emotion, but you're not fully convinced that it's there because of this intentional obstructive view of the third person omniscient narrator, who like Marianne and Connell, cannot communicate well.

[NawafKhan]

An excellent analysis! I was especially impressed by your point that the two characters constantly tried to shy away from being vulnerable to each other. Great video.

[Anhorish]

Rooney's prose requires a lot from the reader and some readers are not up for it; Many readers who disliked the book loved the series because Lenny Abrahamson has done the heavy lifting and read it for them.

[Samjie]

Normal People is one of my favourite ever shows. I think that can be attributed to the fact that Connell is a splitting image of me, the plot genuinely matches my personal life perfectly, from popularity in school, to anxiety and even the suicide of a best friend.

[jarod]

The book and show helped put into words things i have felt for ages without knowing how to say them.

[sazi]

It makes you feel sad, lord I've never cried so bad watching any series. This was so good

[ZarrysLux]

you know a show/film is good when even a video essay can make you cry

[sabrina]

after reading the book and watching the show in two days, i can say this was an absolutely wonderful adaptation. in some ways i think it’s even better than the book. i think just in the way paul and daisy complimented each other and brought the lines of the story to the surface, rich with emotion made it better. after feeling that the book ended a bit abruptly, i loved the ending in the show so much more. the ending is just utterly exceptional-

[flyonthewall]

The fact that their connection is so deep and that they have had such a formative affect on both of them should be enough because it signifies how meaningful they have been in each others lives. But I’m still hoping they remain in each other’s lives. And I don’t think they could not be in each other’s lives without it being a romantic relationship.

I always wondered what Marianne meant when she replied to Connell that it wasn’t normal for him to feel he could read her thoughts. I was unsure if she was trying to make him feel foolish because she was still hurt by him. But I see she was only reconfirming that what they shared and still share is rare and runs deep.

I love the beauty in the quote from this video:

“Simplicity and directness can be so intensely emotive, ” and it’s so true of Connell and Marianne’s exchanges throughout the years.

[ImaginerImagines]

You have a deep and clear understanding of this series. You also have a very clear voice and ability to express that comprehension. Don't lose this. It is a great gift. You can do so much with it. Bravo.

[sauravaryal]

Woah woah... you nearly brought me to tears. The struggle of Paul is so so moving and feels so close and personal to me. And what a poetic analysis. Subbed you. 😁👍

[loopieee]

Superb essay. I was really sceptical of an on screen adaption but as you've described, the show managed to brilliantly capture the core of the novel.

[dasgogo]

Really well done! A very good analysis to describe why these two characters are so interconnected despite their backgrounds and the challenges they faced during their relationship.

[swathics]

This is so beautiful. Do an episode about Fleabag

[rubytuesday]

This is the best series ever. Just love these two, actors and characters. Thanks for this video. It's so good. Absolutely describes them so well xx

[eleanorjayne]

Thank you for making this video, I have only just now watched normal people, and I found the ending so heart breaking I’ve been sad for days. This video really helped me get closure (??) from the series, made me look at the ending in a happier light.