Narrative Criticism
The Nanny Fantasy-Theme Analysis
By: Jasmon Pradia
Description of the Sitcom
After being dumped and fired from her job, Fran Fine begins selling cosmetics door to door. She shows up on, wealthy widower, Maxwell Sheffield’s doorstep and unexpectedly gets a job as the nanny of his three children, Maggie, Brighton, and Grace. Bringing her street smarts and fiery sense of humor to this high society household, the family blossoms in her care.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bMaS-Dq3Gk
Opening Theme Lyrics
She was working in a bridal shop in Flushing, Queens Till her boyfriend kicked her out in one of those crushing scenes What was she to do, where was she to go She was out on her fanny
So over the bridge from Flushing to the Sheffield's door, She was there to sell make-up, but the father saw more, She had style, she had flair, she was there, That's how she became the Nanny
Lyrics, Continued
Who would have guessed that the girl we Described was just exactly what the doctor prescribed? Now the father finds her beguiling, watch out C.C, The kids are actually smiling, such joie de vivre
She's the lady in red when everybody else is wearing tan The flashy girl from Flushing, the Nanny named Fran
Character Themes
Fran Fine: She is dressed in a red and cheetah print dress. This show her sassy, out-there personality. Her outfit choices are very loud and bold compared to the rest of the characters.
Mr. Sheffield & his children: dressed in dressed in blue, white and tan. They are dressed very conservative suits and cardigans.
Niles: The butler; showing a display of the family’s wealth.
Setting Themes
Flushing, Queens : This is a less affluent neighborhood showing Fran’s humble/street background.
Manhattan : This is the wealthy side of town that Mr. Sheffield lives in. This shows the difference in their backgrounds and social class.
Mr. Sheffield’s mansion : this is a further display of the family’s wealth and social class. This is opposite of what Fran is used to.
Action Themes
Fran taking a taxi ”over the bridge from Flushing to the Sheffield’s door” in Manhattan after being thrown out of her old job. This represents her transition from her previous lifestyle to being unexpectedly thrown into this new one.
Fran being pulled into the Sheffield’s home. This shows how abruptly their lives are changing.
The children dance with Fran in a line. This displays their joyous reaction to her arrival. The lyrics “and the kids are actually smiling” allude that they were not as happy before her arrival.
The family, including Fran, sit down for a photo when the camera blows up in their faces. Even though this happens the family is still smiling showing that they find joy in their new unexpected family and all that comes with it.
Rhetorical Vision
“Everything happens for a reason”
Unexpected people and circumstances can change your life for the better
This is shown in how Fran’s seemingly negative situation led her to her new job as a nanny and her newly formed family unit.
This is also shown on the other hand with the Sheffields inviting an unknown women, who is completely different from them, into their lives and her turning out to be everything that they need.
This them is centered on a positive outlook on the future that happiness can come from anywhere.