Language and Representation: blog tasks

 Language and contexts

1) Write a summary of the notes from our in-class analysis of the episode. You can use your own notes from the screening in class or this Google document of class notes (you'll need your GHS Google login). 

Camerawork and sound: Lot's of over shoulder talking scenes. Sounds illusion type music.

Mise-en-scene: Setting is very ominous and dark. In the junkyard there is plenty of mysterious objects.

Narrative and genre: Enigma code = where Susan lives. Doctor seems like a villain. At the end a shadow appears-cliff-hanger + enigma codes. 

2) How can we apply narrative theories to this episode of  Doctor Who? 

Todorov's Equilibrium: Narrative follows 3 part structure. This can be applied to most media narratives.

Propp's character theory: Seven basic character roles which are, Hero, Villain, Princess, Father, Donor, Helper/Sidekick, False Hero.

Barthes's enigma and action codes: Mystery and questions. This creates suspense and attention, keeping the audience engaged.

Levi-Strauss's binary opposition: Doctor Who episode e.g. good v evil; young v old; human v alien; dark v light etc.

3) In your opinion, what is the most important scene in the episode and why?

The most important scene for me is at the very end where they are in another dimension, and the fact that the audience knows what this police box can do. The audience will now know that the police box can teleport to other areas or unknown places. 

4) What genre is An Unearthly Child and how can you tell? Make specific reference to aspects of the episode.

The genre is 100% very, very futuristic, especially the sounds and music.

5) How does An Unearthly Child reflect the social and historical contexts of the 1960s?

This is because many things had happened in the 60s, for example, 1961: First man in space - Russian Yuri Gagarin. 1962: The Beatles spark a British music revolution. 1964: BBC 2 TV channel launched (third UK TV channel). 1965: The introduction of the mini skirt in a fashion show. ETC...




Representations

1) What stereotypes of men are reinforced and subverted in Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child? How?

This episode means that men should be brave and women are more frightened and worried. This is shown here as Barbara says "I am frightened. We are interfering with something that is best left alone." This is also shown here as Ian says, "I take things as they come, now come on."



2) What stereotypes of women/girls are reinforced and subverted in Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child? How?

This means that women should be avoiding danger like this, and should be safe. Also women/girls should never go through the mysterious dark.



3) How do the representations of young people and old people in An Unearthly Child reflect the social and historical context of the 1960s? 

Well we all see that the younger people for example, Ian, Barbara and Susan, are more brighter and energetic. On the other hand, the Doctor, is very, very grumpy and miserable. The audience sees the Doctor as a villain from the way he ignores whatever Barbara says and he mostly replies to Ian, and the way he acts.




4) What representations of race/ethnicity can be found in Doctor Who: An Earthly Child? Is this surprising or not? Give reasons for your answer and consider historical / cultural context (the 1960s). Has this changed in more recent series of Doctor Who?

Very stereotypical and all the actors are white skin colour.

5) How is social class represented in An Unearthly Child? Think about how education and knowledge is presented in the episode.

The character of Susan and her teachers Coal Hill School. Most of them are middle-class.