Burn The Witch, Radiohead

Question 1

What is ‘Radiohead’?

Answer 1

English rock band.

Question 2

What is ‘Radiohead’ about?

Answer 2

‘Radiohead’ is a politically engaged, intelligent band, who can be seen as opposing the status quo. Their music is commentary on ‘fears’. (Consumerism, social alienation, paranoia, political apathy, prejudice and terrorism)

Question 3

What are the themes of ‘Burn the Witch’?

Answer 3

• The dangers of group thinking/mass mob action and complacency that allows cruelties committed by society to happen without challenge.
• Clash of cultures, and atrocities in the name of religion, beliefs, attitudes.

Question 4

What does the media language in ‘Burn the Witch’ reflect?

Answer 4

Presence of ‘persecution in a normal’ society.

Question 5

How did ‘Burn the Witch’ create a sense of normality?

Answer 5

The use of stop-motion animation with cheerful lighting and bright colours. This is a reference to children’s television and the ‘safety’ of this projected children’s world.

Question 6

What does the protagonist look like?

Answer 6

A suite and tie, carries a clipboard. Classic 50s signifiers of authority/bureaucracy.

Question 7

What contradiction does ‘Burn the Witch’ make?

Answer 7

Unfolding paranoia and persecution = a happy, stable and conformist wold hiding disturbingly dangerous social elements under its surface.

Question 8

What references are found in ‘Burn the Witch’?

Answer 8

• The Wicker Man (1973) - social solidarity and conformity can be based on the horrific scapegoating of outsiders, and that this can happen in the most apparently cosy and safe communities.
• Trumptonshire Trilogy Children’s television programmes (1966 - 1969) - Idyllic town.