Class: Language and Representations

 Language and close-textual analysis

1) Write an NCIS analysis for the episode - using 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, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

Co-owner of a Lonely Heart

Clip 1 - 00:00-03:10

Narrative: Corakinus tries to get new heart, but something wrong happens.

                 Corakinus and April share a heart (Sci-Fi)

                 'previously on...' - Multi strand narrative

                  Relationships.

                 

Character: Corakinus - Villain

                  April

                  Ensemble cast - TV drama     

Iconography: Swords 

                      Shiny heart 

                      lighting

                     Anchor - blue glowing orb

Setting: Corakinus's palace 

              April's bedroom

              Cave/lair 

               Domestic settings

 2) How does Todorov's theory of equilibrium apply to Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Try and use the expanded version of Todorov's theory: Equilibrium - Disruption - Recognition - Reparation - New equilibrium.

Equilibrium - Previously on/Recap Clip

Disruption - April's Father 

Recognition - April and Ram in bedroom

Reparation - Aprils dad confronts her 

New equilibrium - Next episode

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

Hero - Charlie :Charlie is the prince of  the Rodians and tries to protect the Cabinet of Souls.

                                  

Heroine - April: Tries to save everyone from Corakinus ( King of the shadow kin.)   

Princess - April: Needs to be saved/helped by someone.  

Villain - Corakinus: Wants to take the heart away from April (wants to kill her) and wants the Cabinet                                    of Souls 

Donor - Ms Quill: Helps Charlie as she is in charge of his safety 

False hero - Ram: Thinks he is the hero as he helps April but he cant really do anything as he cant save                                her from Corakinus

Dispatcher - April's Father: This is because he tries to warn April's Mother that something is wrong                                                     with April.

Helper - Tanya: She tries to help everyone but cant do that much.   

 

4) What enigma and action codes (Barthes) can you find in Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Make specific, detailed reference to the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

Petals - What happens to the Petals?

Swords - April and Corakinus 

Headteacher - What will Miss Quill do when the creature is out of her head?

5) What examples of binary opposition (Levi-Strauss) can you find in Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? How do these create narrative or drama for the audience?

April vs Corakins - They are enemies but both share April's heart.

Domestic setting vs Alien Setting - Gives feeling of a normal life than changes to a alien life.

Young vs Old - The young teenagers are interfering in trouble whilst the older people e.g. Ms Quill, don't care about anything or dont know what is happening.   

Representations

1) How is gender represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Are gender stereotypes reinforced or subverted?

Gender stereotypes are both reinforced and subverted. They have been reinforced because the males have been presented as powerful and to be heroes. This is shown Ram is presented as the typical hero as he helps April as she goes to attack her farther and goes into the the realm of the shadow kin.

The have been subverted as the females have been presented as powerful  and superior. This is shown when April is about to attack her father and threatens top kill him, he gets frightened of  her and it is also shown when she goes into the realm of the shadow kin.      

2) How is age (e.g. teenagers; older people like teachers or parents) represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Does the show reinforce or challenge stereotypes about young people?

Age is represented as the older people e.g. teacher/parents are caring toward the teenagers. Whilst the teenagers have been presented to be interfering.  

3) How is race and ethnicity represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Are  stereotypes reinforced or subverted?

Race and Ethnicity have been both subverted and reinforced. They have been subverted because  BAME people have been represented to be smart and clever this can been seen by Tanya (Black character)  as she is smarter then her year group  as she is two year groups above. It has been reinforced as White people are represented as smart. This can be seen by April (White character) who is presented as smart.   


4) How is sexuality represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? How does this reflect the BBC's remit to represent modern Britain?

Sexuality has been presented to be open. This is because Charlie (Homosexual character) is open with his gender which is normal in his society but in real life some people show hatred towards homosexuality.    

5) How is disability represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Why are disabled people generally under-represented in the media and how does Class try to address this?

Disability has been represented to be normal. This is because April has a disabled mother. Disabled people are under-represented because they cant do things that 'normal' can do and might have mental or physical health issues. Class has tried to present this to be a normal thing as some people have problems but we need to respect that.