Butler!

Question 1

What is Butler’s media theory?

Answer 1

Gender performativity

Question 2

What does Butler’s theory mean?

Answer 2

That men and women to act in a certain way - gender roles

Question 3

What does Butler argue?

Answer 3

That gender is a false concept and gender is externally imposed on the body

Question 4

What does she mean by gender performance?

Answer 4

That it is the way we walk, talk, dress and express ourselves

Question 5

How is this theory good for understanding LFTVD?

Answer 5

Enables us to have a more fluid understanding of gender by challenging fixed notions of identity

Question 6

How is Butler’s theory represented in ST?

Answer 6

Transition of the asexual Eleven from rootless outsider to the feminised Elle at the end of season 1

Question 7

How does Eleven get forced into a gender role?

Answer 7

They picked out items such as the long blonde wig as well as feminise her gender neutral name by calling her ‘El’.

Question 8

How does Will Byers lack masculinity?

Answer 8

He is portrayed as sensitive and feminine by his mother and the way he dresses doesn’t’ conform to his gender - example of Butler

Question 9

What intertextual reference is the blonde wig that they picked out for Eleven?

Answer 9

ET 1982

Question 10

Why does Eleven not conform to gender norms?

Answer 10

Since she has been raised in isolation and hasn’t learned how to perform her normative gender role

Question 11

What are the limitations of Butler’s gender performativity theory?

Answer 11

Only applies to how people experience gender not how reps of gender are constructed within LFTVD dramas

Question 12

Name another example on Butler’s theory with Eleven specifically in the diner?

Answer 12

When she is mistaken for a boy in the show by Benny

Question 13

Why is she mistaken for a boy in the diner?

Answer 13

Due to her appearance but also the behaviour in which he witnesses

Question 14

What is Eleven’s appearance?

Answer 14

Shaven head with no typical feminine clothing or accessories

Question 15

How else is she portrayed as unfeminine in the diner?

Answer 15

Seen to be eating with her hands and very quickly but this links to how she was brought up in isolation

Question 16

What does ST show gender to be constructed by?

Answer 16

Through character’s behaviours and actions

Question 17

How is Nancy shown to be feminine through out ST?

Answer 17

Wearing nice clothes which are associated with the female gender e.g pink cardigan and skirts

Question 18

What does Nancy’s dressing feminine show in terms of gender performantivity?

Answer 18

Her dressing like this allows her construct her female gender

Question 19

Why can Butler’s theory not be useful in terms of ST?

Answer 19

As some characters seem to behave in way that wouldn’t conform to typical performantivity conventions

Question 20

What is an example of how some characters don’t conform to typical performantivity conventions?

Answer 20

When Mike asks his mother if his friends can stay longer she says ‘no’ so he then asks his dad who passes the power over to his mother which stereotypically you would not expect this behaviour

Question 21

How does Butler’s theory get portrayed in D83?

Answer 21

We can see Martin and his aunt behind him and she is standing behind him and looking down on him.

Question 22

Why do we need different representations of gender roles on TV?

Answer 22

So more people feel included

Question 23

If there is a lack of representation of different gender roles on screen, Butler believes it can lead to what?

Answer 23

Gender trouble

Question 24

How is Butler’s theory portrayed in D83?

Answer 24

We see Martin in a spy training montage which shows how he is a soldier - conforms to gender stereotypes

Question 25

What is another example of how Butler’s theory is portrayed in D83?

Answer 25

Martin kissing girlfriend and hugs mum - society’s expectations

Question 26

What is an example linking to Butler’s theory with D83 but from a masculine point of view?

Answer 26

General Edel - conforms to gender stereotypes, authoritative and military man

Question 27

How is Annette represented? Does she conform or subvert gender roles?

Answer 27

Conforms gender roles as she conforms to the male gaze, blonde and sensible