Dream Analysis: Representation

Question 1

1. How is the pianist constructed?
   - How is this construction made?
2. What kind of role does she fulfill?
   - What does she reinforce?

Answer 1

1. Stereotypical 1950s white, middle-class woman.
   - Through her upright posture, formal jacket and look of disapproval.
2. A matriarchal role.
   - Dominant messages and ideologies (Gauntlett Identity Theory).

Question 2

1. What do Dizzee Rascal’s dress codes construct him as?
2. What is constructed of Dizzee as the narrative progresses?
   - How is Dizzee represented as a role model later in the video?
3. Give an example of how positive values and messages are embedded in the narrative.

Answer 2

1. A stereotypically defiant young black male.
2. A more positive representation of success, hard work etc.
   - Through the youths partaking in creative, less destructive activities such as football.
3. Dizzee inside the studio: power of chasing a dream.

Question 3

1. How are youths constructed in the video?
2. How is the police officer constructed?
3. How is the Scots character constructed?
4. What are these all examples of?

Answer 3

1. As irresponsible, no purpose in life.
2. Brutal, baton-weilding white male.
3. Drunk with a lager bottle.
4. Negative stereotypes.

Question 4

1. What 2 theories/theorists can be used for representation in Dream?
2. The video deliberately constructs the puppet characters as what?
   - What can this show?
   - Who’s theory is this?
3. What can the increasing ethnic diversity during the 1950s be linked to?
4. The matriarchal role of the pianist and her patronising tone suggest what about Britain?

Answer 4

1. Stuart Hall - Representation, Paul Gilroy - Postcolonial theory.
2. Stereotypes.
   - That these stereotypes can misrepresent individuals from certain groups.
   - Stuart Hall: Representation.
3. Postcolonial theory.
4. That British society is not yet fully inegrated.