HIS DARK MATERIALS: LANGUAGE AND REPRESENTATION BLOG TASK

 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.)

You can currently watch His Dark Materials on BBC iPlayer here.

Camerawork, editing and sound:  

• Opening shot of Lyra - establishes bond with Pan  
• Threatening sound effects
• Non-diegetic sound (narrative) 
• Establishing shots of air ships - large scale effects
• Close up of characters

Mise-en-scene: 

• Costume - masculine (tomboy, adventurous, practical, ready for action)
• Thunder + lighting - echoes the chaos
• Red Mrs. C - danger, evil
  
• Setting - submarine in a dark place - mystery
• Low key lighting - evil, villains

Narrative and genre:

• Schism - different world (split)
• Lyra (hero) + Mrs. C (villains) 
• Prophecy + witches connotes fantasy genre
• Religious traditions
• Heresy - going against God

 

You can access our notes from the close-textual analysis in a previous 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?

-His Dark Materials fit the conventions of the fantasy TV genre by:

• Iconography including magic, mystical creatures of similar
• Often set in imagined worlds or time periods
• Emotive, often quest-based narratives
• Big budgets and high production values

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

• Hero - Lyra
• Villain - Mrs. C
• Villain - Magisterium
• Helper - Lee

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 enigma codes that can be find in His Dark Materials are what will happen to them if they enter Will's world. When Will and Lyra had a conversation about going to Will's world - the over the shoulder shot shows how they are communication with each other. The action codes are when the witch was flying in the sky to save another witch - where it includes a non-diegetic sound to give off a thrilling atmosphere.

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. 
-Young/Adult: Shows how they live. Young people live and run the village while, adults are being controlled.

-Friendly/Serious: Shows how gender stereotypes are subverted as it shows how Will and Lyra's first interaction with each other. Will seems to be friendly and kind while, Lyra is very defensive and serious.

Representations

1) How are women represented in His Dark Materials? Are gender stereotypes reinforced or subverted? Think about Lyra and Mrs Coulter here.

-Women are represented in His Dark Materials as powerful and responsible. Gender stereotypes is subverted as it shows how Lyra is having her adventure with Pan and it also shows how she wears an adventurous costume. Mrs. Coulter is shown as powerful as it shows how she have more power over the Magisterium and how she can do anything she want. E.g. Killing the Magisterium.

2) How are men and masculinity represented in His Dark Materials? Think about Will and Lee Scoresby here.

-Men are represented in His Dark Materials as friendly and kind. As it shows how Lee tries to be friends with Lyra at their first interaction. Lee Scoresby is shown as a helper, he's trying to find Lyra and help her.

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.

-The teenagers are represented as independent. Will and Lyra are in an adventure in a place that they aren't from. The abandoned children living in an abandoned village and running their store by themselves. This challenges stereotypes about young people as young people are usually shown as being guided by their parents and need advice from them. Adults are represented as controlling like Mrs. Coulter, she reinforces the stereotype of being an adult as as adults are usually in authority. Mrs. C is shown as persuasive for her to get what she wants. The Magisterium challenges the stereotype of being an adult as he seems unsure on what to do and him being a leader is judged by Mrs. C, where she told them that all she can see is failure.

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

-Race and ethnicity is subverted as she shows how the show is diverse. She have a role of being the queen of the witches which shows that she is strong and powerful.

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.

-The representations of the worlds that can be find in this episode is religion. It's real life. When the Mrs. Coulter kissed the Magisterium's ring to shows respect. Another representation is having a daemon. It's from a fantasy world. It shows how a human have a daemon. Where Lyra is in an adventure with Pan, who's always with her wherever she goes.