Grace's A level Blog: January 2020

How are different social groups represented in the sequence you have analysed? What role does the use of media language, signs and significance have in constructing and presenting these representations as real?

One very apparent representation shown within season 1, episode 1 of Stranger Things is the role of single mothers. Being a major character within the story line, Joyce Byers, opposes to the typical, domestic role of a mother; she is over-worked and conscientious. She may be absent from Will’s and Johnathan’s life due to her job, but remains caring, loving, benevolent and supportive. However, she is also represented as an emotionally unstable and vulnerable character after his son Will Byers goes missing. Her weak state is represented through not only her emotive dialogue and characteristics, but also by her clothes and home. She dressed in dark and miserable colours, reflecting her emotional state, and similarly her house is untidy and unkept due to the trauma and upset she is facing in the episode. Joyce is also divorced, which somewhat represents a broken family - it was unusual to be divorced in the 1980's, which could suggest attributes of judging, adding extra weight to her stress. During her screen time, the lighting of the shots is mostly darker and dimmer, reflecting her overwhelming upset and paranoia.

To contrast to this, Karen represents the domestic role of a mother in this era – she cooks, cleans and strongly supports her family with strict responsibility. During her screen time, Karen is positioned in the foreground and in strong lighting, signifying her importance and dominant role.

Showing a form of contrast to the unstable state of Joyce, Hopper, the towns Sheriff, fits the stereotype of an American officer by bringing an element of calm at the Byers home. The representation of the police department is relaxed, comfortable and stress-free; even when Hopper was firstly informed of Will’s absence, he appears calm and untroubled. The short cut shots between Joyce and Jonathon are interrupted by tracking and panning shots when Hopper arrives representing how Hopper is taking control of the case and is attempting to eliminate panic amongst his town’s citizens, especially the traumatised family of the Byers. Their cream boiler shirt and trousers along with a sheriff hat, police badge, walkie-talkie and police car all represent Hopper as an authoritative member of the town, there for showing that the police force have not been misrepresented within this episode.

During the scene of Will’s disappearance, representations of the supernatural are shown. The light in the shed begins to flicker, mirroring the lights that were flickering before Will was taken. As well as the lights creating suspense, uncomfortable and mysterious noises are heard. Gurgling sounds and rumbling sounds suggested to be coming from the supernatural monster that took Will are seen to cause Hopper distress, not only representing the monster/supernatural as something fearful, but it also represents Hopper as perhaps being scared. This contrasts his early calm and controlled representation.

The four main, protagonist teenager boys, Dustin, Will, Mike and Lucas, represent a compassionate and highly committed role to protect and help their friends. Together they communicate using cultural parlance, speaking with fantastical explanations. They oppress the typical stereotypes of teenagers within the 80’s and express a passionate, intelligent, level-headed approach, whilst maintaining a vivacious, cheerful personality. They also represent outsiders, unique to the other pre-teenagers seen in the high school. Similarly, Nancy and Jonathan are also hyper-intelligent, however as Nancy becomes rebellious with the interaction of Steve, Johnathan becomes brave, independent and a male leader. Steve, the complete opposite, classes himself to be popular boy with a crude personality.

Representations:

•Teenagers:

•Family life and relationships:

In the first episode, Mike’s family represents a strong unit, they show a sense of togetherness, but this original image is disrupted when they argue at the dinner table, showing underlying issues. The father appears to be distant and somewhat careless towards the children’s actions, opposing to the domestic, protective mother. In the opening scene Will's family seem secure and close, however as the episode progresses it becomes apparent that they lack spending time together due to work, but they do maintain this loving, caring bond. Using two juxtaposing families, the audience can see the representation of class:

- Mike's family: typical, traditional suburban, middle class family.

- Will's family: atypical, broken, subverts the norm.

Showing the main characters, the audience only sees Mike's and Will's family - Lucas' and Dustin's family does not appear in the first episode.

Hopper lost his daughter and lives on his own - parallel of missing characters.

•Mothers:

Joyce Byers opposes to the typical, domestic role of a mother; she is over-worked and conscientious. She may be absent from Will’s and Johnathan’s life due to her job, but remains caring, loving, benevolent and supportive. She is also divorced, which somewhat represents a broken family - it was unusual to be divorced in the 1980's, which could suggest attributes of judging. Karen, however, represents the domestic role of a mother – she cleans, cooks and supports her family.

•Absent fathers:

Will's father does not appear in the first episode - he has a new partner, in which Joyce has to communicate through to get to him, and he lives far away from his son's. Mike's father also seems slightly detached and absent from his family. Hopper, however, juxtaposes to this - he cares for Joyce's son who is missing.

•Police:

The police in Hawkins seem relaxed, comfortable and stress-free, as nothing bad happens in this town. Even when Hopper was firstly informed of Will's absence, he appears calm and untroubled. However, as the episode progresses, Hopper becomes concerned and anxious, investigating as much as he can.

•Government:

Silver Fox (Mathew Modean) - is represented as a masterful and powerful character, represented through the low angles, and smartly dressed costumes. When on screen, foreboding, non-diegetic sounds appear. He also creates a sense of nostalgia for the older audience as he was a well-known actor of the 1980's. Connie Frazier also appears rather powerful, subverting the typical female role .

Supernatural:

The supernatural subtly appears within the episode: the opening scene when a scientist vanishes, when Will sees a figure, when eleven stops the fan and disrupts the phone, as well as defeating the men.

· Small community life:

Nothing bad happens in Hawkins - the worst thing being an owl attacking a girl's hair.

Everyone knows everyone within the town - a close relationship

Stranger Things Characters

Character	Information
Joyce Byers	Major or Minor Character? Major Stereotype? Working class and subverts the traditional, typical stereotype of a women and mother - she is hardworking, and divorced. Characteristics? Contribution to Narrative? The mother of Will and Jonathan. She is brave, caring and supportive. She contributes the narrative by informing the Police Department of her missing son and for searching for him.
Jim Hopper	Major or Minor Character? Major Stereotype? Dominant ideology, appears relaxed, lazy in the opening - subverting the roles of a Sheriff Characteristics? Appears relaxed, careless in the beginning but opens up during the episode and cares for Joyce's missing son. Contribution to Narrative? Investigates Will's disappearance
Mike Wheeler	Major or Minor Character? Major Stereotype? A protagonist outsider , conforms the stereotypical role of a pre teen Characteristics? optimistic, creative thinker, intelligent, mature, and concerned. Contribution to Narrative? Within the pre teen friendship group, helps looks for Will
Dustin Henderson	Major or Minor Character? Major Stereotype? A protagonist outsider , conforms the stereotypical role of a pre teen Characteristics? Funny, hyper-intelligent, observes and protects, level-headed. Contribution to Narrative? Within the pre teen friendship group, helps looks for Will
Lucas Sinclair	Major or Minor Character? Major Stereotype? A protagonist outsider , conforms the stereotypical role of a pre teen Characteristics Quite distant, hesitant, has a realist approach Contribution to Narrative? Within the pre teen friendship group, helps looks for Will
Will Byers	Major or Minor Character? Major Stereotype? A protagonist outsider , conforms the stereotypical role of a pre teen Characteristics? Honest, soft-spoken, mature, shy, amicable and creative Contribution to Narrative? Disappears to the upside down - main protagonist that drives the plot
Eleven	Major or Minor Character? Major Stereotype? Subverts the typical role of a pre teen/girl - is strong minded, powerful, dominant Characteristics? Brave, socially withdrawn, strong minded and cautious Contribution to Narrative? Represents the supernatural and government side of Stranger Things.
Jonathan Byers	Major or Minor Character? Major Stereotype? Subverts the typical role of a teenager - dominant ideology -male leader of his family Characteristics? Protects, caring, hard-working, brave, optimistic Contribution to Narrative? Helps looks for his brother
Nancy Wheeler	Major or Minor Character? Major Stereotype? Conforms and subverts the typical role of a teenager: typical studious, girly girl who has interest in boys, but also is hyper-intelligent and priorities her studies. Characteristics? intelligent, rebellious, stubborn, sympathetic Contribution to Narrative?
Steve Harrington	Major or Minor Character? Minor Stereotype? Typical Jock - popular boy with a crude personality Characteristics? Attractive, popular, confident Contribution to Narrative? Dates and distracts Nancy
Barbara Holland	Major or Minor Character? Minor Stereotype? Subverts the typical stereotype of a teenage girl Characteristics? Clever, sensible, smart and cautious Contribution to Narrative? Nancy's friend
Benny Hammond	Major or Minor Character? Minor Stereotype? Male, dominant ideology Characteristics? Harsh appearance with a friendly, helpful and kind personality Contribution to Narrative? Helps the viewer interact with eleven - first recognition of who she is and where she came from
Mr Clarke	Major or Minor Character? Minor Stereotype? Characteristics? Likeable, supportive, friendly, resourceful and caring teacher Contribution to Narrative? Provides the pre teenage boys information
Connie Frazier (Social Worker)	Major or Minor Character? Minor Stereotype? Rather powerful, subverting the typical female role Characteristics? Strong, ruthless, threatening Contribution to Narrative? Shows her position within government, shoots Benny
The Scientists	Major or Minor Character? Minor Stereotype? Characteristics? Contribution to Narrative?
Ted Wheeler	Major or Minor Character? Minor Stereotype? Absent father Characteristics? Distant, laid-back, oblivious Contribution to Narrative? Father of Mike and Nancy
Karen Wheeler	Major or Minor Character? Minor Stereotype? Typical domestic mother, conforming the stereotypical role by cleaning, cooking etc. Characteristics? Strong minded, caring, stubborn Contribution to Narrative? Mother of Mike and Nancy