His Dark Materials: Language and Representation blog tasks

 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.)

This is a fantasy television series that is set in a multi-world reality with action moving between worlds. Lyra, the main character, has grown up an orphan who discovers that there is a prophecy that foretells that she will change the world. Will is a fugitive (runaway) from ‘our world’ where he killed someone in self-defence. They meet in a third world called Cittagazze which is run down and neglected. They learn from some kids there that all the adults (and kids when they come of age) are hunted and drained of their energy and basically changed into zombies by evil black clouds called ‘Spectres’. Meanwhile, an evil villain called Mrs Coulter is on board a ship with the Magisterium (male Priests in authority roles - like politicians.) She tortures a witch for information regarding Lyra and mysterious ‘dust’ but the witch is put out of her misery by her fellow witch Ruta Skardi who sets her free by killing her to stop the pain. Skardi also seriously injures the head of the Magisterium and Mrs Coulter offers a deal to his deputy: in exchange for more power and freedom, she will kill the head priest and say he died of his injuries from the witch.

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


Camerawork, editing and sound: The episode uses a variety of camera work to subvert the gender stereotype to make look the main character Lyra and the villain look powerful and strong. It has fast pace editing and the fast pace music also increase the tension and the excitement.   

Mise-en-scene: Different varieties of  epic setting that fit the fantasy genre: city in the sky, forest. The costume of men create clear connotation of religion and also what worlds they are from. The make-up emphasises danger, power and evil 

Narrative and genre: Fantasy genre as Lyra has a Daemon and also talk about creatures called spectres(Propp) that are a threat to adults. It also shows binary opposition as the adults are gone and the children are in charge and take the lead role in the city of Magpies 


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?

It talks about how there is a "tear in the sky" that is potentially a door to different worlds. It talks about witches, Daemons and spectres: spectres(villain status) being a threat to adults while witches stand together to protect the prophecy. Daemons are part of there partner eg Lyra and Pan 

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

Mrs coulter and spectres fit in the roles of villain and Lyra and Will are the heroes that will save the world. The magisterium are kind of side antagonists as they also work with Mrs Coulter.  

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.)

Narrative: prophecy - disequilibrium; enigma code.

“The fuse has been lit” - action code.

The witches will want us to fight” - narrative device. Suggests future conflict (action code)

Chase scene - both action and enigma 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. 

Binary opposition - young and old, grown ups and children, good/bad

“It’s time to draw sides” - Propp; binary opposition.- the audience is positioned to choose a side


Representations


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

Throughout the episode gender stereotypes has both been reinforced and subverted. At the start when Lyra crying in cave - reinforces female stereotype BUT next scene she is exploring the rainforest on her own - strong, independent female character. Also when Lyra attacks Will and Will says "stop hurting me". In the middle there was a subversion of gender roles when the Lyra chases the girls and Will follows her.  

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

Lee Scoresby reinforces stereotypical representation of adventurous American hero. Will subverts stereotype since he stops Lyra from getting into a fight with the girls and also when Will cooked a omelette for Lyra and calls him " Kitchen boy"

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.

In the city age is challenged about young people as the children where the ones that were taking the role of a leader since there are o adults eg Lyra and the abandoned children. Whereas age for adults are reinforced- Mrs Coulter she takes control of the Magisterium and low angle shots are taken of her to make her look strong and powerful 

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

Diversity - race/ethnicity. Witch played by black woman, much more diverse cast than Doctor Who. I think ethnicity is subverted as a witch played by a black woman overpowers the cardinals.

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.

In Season 2, Episode 1 of His Dark Materials, three different worlds are shown. Lyra’s world is a fantasy with daemons and a strict, old-style society. Will’s world is like real life, with modern technology. The city of Cittàgazze is mysterious, mixing past and future, with magical creatures. The episode uses fantasy and sci-fi conventions to create enigma and show different realities

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