His Dark Materials: Language and Representation

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 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: 
  • high camera angles, close ups, fast paced chase scenes, CGI effects.

Mise-en-scene: 

  • Settings - different worlds ‘The City in the Sky’, cave/rainforest, ocean. Far off or exotic fantasy locations. Also, recognisable locations - Oxford, Will’s world (police etc.)

  • Props - mix between fantasy world and modern, recognisable objects (mobile phone).

  • Costume - tells audience which world characters are from

Narrative and genre: 

  • Fantasy genre - witches, different worlds.

  • Adventure - quest/journey ‘The City in the Sky’.

  • Family - range of characters including children

 

You can access our notes from our close-textual analysis in 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?
CGI effects, fantasy, fictitious characters and unreal things that happen.

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

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 witches want us to join the fight” - narrative device.
  • Chase scene - enigma and action codes. Who are they chasing and what will happen?

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. 
good vs evil. This creates drama as the viewer gets nervous for what is going to happen to the good people and if the villains will get them, it gives a sense of action.


Representations

1) How are women represented in His Dark Materials? Are gender stereotypes reinforced or subverted? Think about Lyra and Mrs Coulter here.
  • Lyra walks on the bed, takes Will’s room, doesn’t seem bothered. Traditionally masculine traits.

  • Strong female characters - Lyra is independent, tough.

  • Mrs Coulter is powerful, a villain. Subverts gender stereotypes.


2) How are men and masculinity represented in His Dark Materials? Think about Will and Lee Scoresby here.
  • Men are represented as aggressive (broken glass) and incompetent.

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.

  • Age: “Where are the grown ups?”

  • Spectres - suggest being an adult is dangerous and it’s better to be a child. Helps make it appeal to a family audience. 


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

  • Diversity - witch played by black woman. Represented as strong, powerful - takes down the four male guards then kills the cardinal. 


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 and is fake
  • It is something from the past as people are poor and living in poverty 
  • However, this could also be something from the future as there is many high tech things used

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