AS Media Stranger Things theory

Theory in Stranger Things

THEORIES!

so you need to remember the theorists

Click on the theorists to find out about their theory.

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Video One

Representation in Stranger Things

In preparation for the mock we need to be familiar with the media language and especially the representation theorists and be able to apply them or discuss them in relation to Stranger Things.Let's get started.

GILROY

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usefulness of gilroy theory

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Van Zoonan

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Van Zoonan

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usefulness of van zoonan theory

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GAUNTLETT

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gauntlett

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HALL

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hall

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usefulness of hall theory

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butler

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butler

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usefulness of butler theory

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hooks

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hooks

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usefulness of butler theory

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Finally, explore the 'usefulness of theory'document. As well as representation theorists, you should be able to discuss relevance of others theorists regarding LFTVD.

theory

Given its historical setting does the representation of the past suggest that identities were more fixed in the 1980s than they are now?

Women are often objectified (viewed as sexual objects) in media representations.

Question

Which characters challenge normative gender roles?

Summary

Media representations offer us a range of diverse and contradictory messages about identity, with the media being used by audiences to explore and express their identities.

Question

Which characters’ performance of gender roles conform to social expectations?

Women are objectified in media representations in patriarchal culture; gender identity is determined by cultural and historical contexts.

Does online fan culture for Stranger Things offer self-expression to audiences?

How does Stranger Things represent the social position of female characters in 1980s America?

Question

How is ethnicity represented in Stranger Things? Describe their character, personality and social status. Can it be described as positive or negative?

Question

What social groups (gender, age, disability, social status, ethnicity, sexuality) are represented and who is not represented?

What attitudes to ethnicity are evident? How do people behave towards characters from an ethnic background?

Question

Are some social groups represented in contradictory ways (e.g. are there representations of different male identities?)?

Summary

A key focus for representation analysis should be on who or what is represented, who or what is not represented, and suggestions of difference. Representations may intend to fix meanings in a ‘preferred reading’, but audiences can contest meanings.

Question

Are there any messages suggested about different identities (e.g. gender, social class, sexuality) in episode 1?

Question

Do you think Stranger Things depict a patriarchal society? Explain your answer.

Question

Are characters treated differently based on how they perform gender roles?

Can you identify a preferred reading encoded by the producers based on these representations?

Summary

Feminist critiques of the media focus on challenging patriarchal and sexist representations. hooks argues for an intersectional approach considering how identities such as race, class and sexuality contribute to oppression alongside gender.

Question

How is gender represented in Stranger Things? Positive, negative, stereotypical?

Summary

Butler argues that gender identity is not something we are born with, it is something expressed through the performance of gender roles. Gender is constructed through the performance of socially learned behaviours rather than expressed by them.

Question

Is there a difference between the way male and female characters are represented in episode 1?

Question

How do identities other than gender (e.g. social class, ethnicity) impact on the social position of the female characters?