His Dark Materials: Language and Representation blog tasks

 His Dark Materials: Language and Representation blog tasks

Language and close-textual analysis

1) Write an analysis of the episode - using your notes from the screening in class. Make specific, detailed reference to moments in the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots and movement, editing, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

You can currently watch His Dark Materials on BBC iPlayer here.

Camerawork, editing and sound: There was a lot of non-diegetic music creating drama and tension, especially during the chase scene. There were also many close-up shots signifying power and dominance as well as over-the-shoulder shots representing the conversation taking place between the kids and the two different sides of the worlds. Additionally, during the fight seen, there was a lot of fast-paced editing and high angle drone shots suggesting suspense.

Mise-en-scene: The settings of the cave and the abandoned city of two worlds fits into the adventure and fantasy genre. The red lipstick and bold makeup that Mrs Coulter was wearing on her face along with her red costume showed her power and dominance over all the other men, subverting gender stereotypes.

Narrative and genre: The whole episode provided a view of the steampunk and fantasy genre portrayed with the witches, talking animals and prophecies and submarines. Furthermore, Propp's character theory suggests that Mrs Coulter was shown as the evil villain, whereas Will and Lyra are the innocent heroes.

You can access our notes from the close-textual analysis in a previous class here - you'll need your Greenford Google login to open this.

2) How does His Dark Materials fit the conventions of the fantasy TV genre?

The use  of witches, prophecies and daemons along with the illusion of different worlds all linked by one suggests a fantasy genre.

3) Applying Propp's character theory, what character roles do some of the main characters in His Dark Materials fit into? 

Mrs Coulter is portrayed as an evil villain in control as she has the superior power but gives a devilish presence however, even thought they have not as much power, Will and Lyra are shown as the heroes trying to save their separate worlds together as a team by helping each other. 

4) What enigma and action codes (Barthes) can you find in His Dark Materials? Make specific, detailed reference to the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

The chase scene provides both action and enigma codes as of the fast- paced camerawork and editing as well as the suspenseful non-diegetic sounds leaving the audience full of questions and predictions as to what might happen next.

5) What examples of binary opposition (Levi-Strauss) can you find in His Dark Materials? How do these create narrative or drama for the audience? You can find reminder notes on all these narrative theories here - just scroll down to narrative. 

The different worlds all show binary opposition as they all do things in a certain way different to each other showing conflict but also power, suggesting a fantasy genre.

Representations

1) How are women represented in His Dark Materials? Are gender stereotypes reinforced or subverted? Think about Lyra and Mrs Coulter here.

Women are presented with the superior power subverting stereotypes as Lyra strangely eats the food the Will cooks for her and Mrs Coulter shows her power and manipulative dominance over the other men.

2) How are men and masculinity represented in His Dark Materials? Think about Will and Lee Scoresby here.

Men have their patriarchal influence as they downgrade women such as Mrs Coulter because of the fact that she is a woman, whereas they also show less power, for example Will has to cook for Lyra instead of the other way around suggesting the subversion of stereotypes even though some are reinforced.

3) How is age (e.g. teenagers; adults) represented in His Dark Materials? Does the show reinforce or challenge stereotypes about young people? Think about Lyra and Will plus the abandoned children they meet. Also think about Mrs Coulter and other adults.

There is a generational divide as the adults have more power, however in this world shown, the adults are the more vulnerable ones whereas the teenagers are safer, subverting stereotypes.

4) How is race and ethnicity represented in His Dark Materials? Are stereotypes reinforced or subverted?

Their is a more diverse cast of His Dark Materials in terms of race and ethnicity compared to Doctor Who as the witch is played by a black woman, however Doctor Who has a fully white cast.

5) What representations of the world can you find in the episode - is it like real life? A fantasy world? Something from the past or future? Give examples from the episode.

They include talking animals (daemons), suggesting a fantasy world unlike real life because it seems like something that might happen in the future with all the new technology and creations. Also, the fantasy world and the abandoned city with the antiques and old fashioned settings and costumes suggest a past perspective and view.