Doctor Who: Language and Representation blog tasks

 Social and Historical context

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

An Unearthly Child reflects social and historical context by introducing the main characters as typical stereotypes that impacted the way people view males and females back in 1960s. A few examples of this  can be seen by both of the teachers Barbra and Ian. this is because Barbra is introduced to the audience as a hopeless, easily frightened women who is incapable of doing much without a mans presents. On the other hand, Ian is presented as a powerful but overconfident man who communicates male superiority when faced against a threatening situation.

2) How might audiences have felt towards science fiction in the 1960s?

Audience might have felt cautious but excited towards science fiction due to how they've would have been newly introduced to this genre which reflects their fear of more modern technology. 1960s audience would have also wanted to explore more of science fiction as if discovering a new world as strangers.

Language and close-textual analysis

1) Choose three key moments in the episode and write an NCIS analysis for those clips. You can use your notes from the screening in class. Make specific, detailed references using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

An Unearthly Child scene analysis

Narrative: Mystery is seen throughout most of the atmospheres to show the danger and threat but is mostly seen when the topic of time and space was introduced.

Character: Susan=princess Ian=hero Barbra=sidekick Doctor=villain

Iconography: Futuristic items are presented throughout such as the portable radio and buttons in the TARDIS which is advance technology for 1960s audience.

Setting: The audience where first introduced to the anaconda junkyard then the Coal hill high school giving a familiar feeling and then ended inside the TARDIS whit is presented to look like a spaceship.

2) How does Todorov's theory of equilibrium apply to An Unearthly Child? Try and use the expanded version of Todorov's theory: Equilibrium - Disruption - Recognition - Reparation - New equilibrium.

Todorov's theory of equilibrium applies to An Unearthly Child as the equilibrium is presented at the start of the episode presenting Coal Hill school teacher lounge where we're introduced to two characters who are both teachers. This slowly escalates to the disruption where the teachers investigating the home of a 'mysterious' student this hints danger. as we get more in depth to the episode, we are able to see the recognition and the reparation which is where  they explore the junkyard but end up getting trapped in the TARDIS unable to escape. This leads us to the new equilibrium where the two teachers against their own will are transported to another dimension.

3) Applying Propp's character theory, what character roles do each of the main characters in An Unearthly Child fit into? Alternatively, you may wish to discuss how characters do not fit Propp's character types.

Applying Propp's character theory, i believe that the main character Susan would represent the princess as she is the damsel in distress that is getting saved. using this information i can tell that Ian would be the hero while Barbra as the sidekick as Ian is presented as strong and a independent man  while Barbra is seen as useless as she doesn't contribute to any of the major conversations. This leaves us with the Doctor who i believe is presented as the villain towards Ian and Barbra as they believe that Susan is being kidnapped. However, in Susan's perspective, the Doctor is seen as the hero due to  him helping Susan reach her so called home.

4) What enigma and action codes (Barthes) can you find in An Unearthly Child? 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 main enigma code can be spotted right at the end of the Doctor Who episode as we are presented with a new unknown setting and a dark figure that triggers the audiences minds. This could get them questioning who the shadow is or even where they are. This scene could also be seen as a action code as it implies as it suggests a dramatic moment.

5) What examples of binary opposition (Levi-Strauss) can you find in An Unearthly Child? How do these create narrative or drama for the audience?

Binary opposites are seen between Susan and the doctor when he tells her to not be such a kid this shows the age difference and we're able to tell who's superior.

Representations

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

The stereotypes of men that are reinforced are that men are portrayed as strong and had the expectations of being masculine, they were also seen as superior to women. These expectations can be shown throughout the episode as Ian is making most decisions and volunteering to face danger showing that he has a higher status in power.

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

The stereotypes of women/girls that are reinforced are them being presented as weak and pointless humans who are only used for the support of men. This is shown when Barbra was following Ian around like a dog on a leash suggesting ideas such as getting a police man (another man). The stereotypes are subverted when Susan was introduced as more knowledgeable than her teachers and when she spoke the lines "I like walking in the dark". This implies that Susan is not only a genius but she is strong willed and independent.

3) What are common media stereotypes of young people and old people? Do any of the characters or scenarios reinforce or subvert these conventional stereotypes (consider this was 1963)? 

The common stereotypes of young and old people that are reinforced 

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?

During the episode of Doctor Who, the audience are introduced to different characters who are all white this shows that people with more lighter skin were presented as more superior due to the lack of darker skinned people. however this could be because it was a British show were darker skinned people were not treated equally back in 1963.

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

Throughout the episode, audience are able to tell that the characters come from a middle class. On the other hand men are seen as more knowable as Ian and the doctor seem to do most of the thinking and talking. This is also subverted the teacher Ian calls Susan a genius which gives the idea that women may be on the same level as men.