Madonna 'Like a Prayer'

                                

Madonna's video for 'Like a Prayer' contains the theme of religion throughout, and religious imagery is a constant motif in the piece. The video is also heavily linked to 'black culture' having the character posing as Jesus played by a man of a black ethnicity.

We follow Madonna, as she talks to a statue of Jesus which we see showing human mannerisms such as a tear falling from his eye and hands twitching. The statue later comes to life and becomes an ultimately central part in the narrative. This caused a lot of controversy, as the audience had only every seen and imaged Jesus (in roman catholicism) to be caucasian. As he morphs into a real person we see a blur in the line between the real and dream-like world Madonna's character experiences, which is reinforced through the lyrics 'no end and no beginning, it's like a dream'. The 'Jesus' figure begins to guide an encourages Madonna through the video.

Madonna reaches for a knife which she immediately drops to reveal stigmata on her hands. Stigma is used in the christian faith to describe body marks, sores or sensations on the body, why correspond to the locations used during crucifixion, such as the hands and feet. This idea of faith and religion is juxtaposed by a woman being physically attacked by a woman in the street, by a gang of white male men, when a black man comes to the aid of the unconscious woman, he is instantly wrongly accused of the crime.

This comments on the police at the time of the video, by having the policemen forcefully arrest the innocent man. Madonna watches over, presenting herself as a heroic figure as she later comes to his aid. This may be Madonna playing a character or perhaps she wants the audience to think this is the image of madonna in the video. She acts like a middle man foreseeing the justice of the innocent black man.  Madonna questions discrimination through out the song, particularly balk people. She furthers this idea, through the lyrics: 'life is a mystery everyone must stand alone'.

Madonna then performs one of the most controversial things in the outrageous music video, as she dances in front of burning crosses, suggesting the renowned KKK (klu klux klan), a violent racist group, originating in the south, sparking controversy.  Madonna's demographic is clearly a more current and contemporary audience, as they have to be willing to accept and move on with the changing world and culture.


The video portrays Madonna as synthetic, as we can see through her clothing in particular. She is sexualised throughout the video, with a dress which has straps which constantly fall down revealing her shoulders, as well as her outfit being tight and figure hugging. Her individual and trendy style also launched her into becoming one of the most talked about style icons.

Madonna then dances alongside and all black gospel choir as they dance merrily and freely, giving off a feel-good vibe.

After releasing the man from prison Madonna joins the choir as they bow, allowing for a theatrical theme to finish the video. This also leaves a final suggestion Madonna is a performer, and this was simply a show.