His Dark Materials: Language and Representation

 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.)

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

Camerawork, editing and sound: epic music close up shots and low shots on powerful characters like Mrs Coulter

Mise-en-scene: different costumes for different worlds.

Narrative and genre: Props character theory, fantasy, binary oppositions.

2) How does His Dark Materials fit the conventions of the fantasy TV genre? Characters from different worlds, Demons

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

Will plays a hero character and Miss coulter is a villain type character. 

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 dialogue "I don't trust them" is an enigma code which creates a bit of suspense, Their is music which is played during the chase which is non-diegetic.

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 children are taking charge instead of the Adults. 

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 represented a lot more powerful which subverts stereotypes as we see Mrs Coulter a villain and Lyra who is aggressive and called Will a "Kitchen Boy". 

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

The representation of men subverts the stereotypes of them being powerful and dominant. Will is pinned down and weaker then Lyra also he is seen cooking an omelette and is describes as a "Kitchen Boy"

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.

Children are represented more mature as Lyra and Will are surviving themselves, and Will takes the role of being in charge. Whereas Mrs coulter and the other adults are being immature and Murdering each other whilst planning something vicious. 

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

The witch is black and she is portrayed really dominant and powerful which subverts the stereotypes of the black ethnicity.

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.

The world is real and fantasy like, there is normal buildings and mountains however we see demons and creatures which show the link between fantasy and real life, this is based in the past i think as the buildings seem a bit ancient.