Television: His Dark Materials - Language and Representation

 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.)


Camerawork, editing and sound: epic music, low shots on mrs cutler

Mise-en-scene: different costumes for different world

Narrative and genre: fantasy and steampunk
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?

talking animals and torn up sky

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

mrs coulter - villain, lyra - main character, will - sidekick

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.)

"i dont trust them", "well isnt that something

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. 

young and old, "time to take sides"

Representations

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


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

will is more stereotypically feminine but lee is a stereotypical American traveller

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.

adults are torn inside out and unlively but children are safe

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

the main witch is of black skin colur

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.
it is a fantasy world which matches the genre due to the multiple worlds

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