Humans Flashcards
Names of Key female characters
Anita/Mia, Laura, Matty, Niska
What is Humans based on?
Swedish show ‘Real Humans’ released in 2012
When was the set episode broadcasted?
14th June 2015
Who produced it?
Channel 4
Who distributed it in the USA?
Shine Ltd & aMC
Names of Key male characters?
Toby, Joe, Leo, Odi, Max, Dr George Millican
Examples of Anita being represented as an object/passive character?
revealed to Joe and the audience = object
“She’s ours” – ownership
“My Primary user” referring to Joe who is using her
Programmed for ‘standard domestic model… basic housework’ – linking back to patriarchal ideas of the woman’s role in the home
How is Laura represented in comparison to Anita?
Anita is holding cleaning products when presented to Laura who looks stressed – the working mother is confronted with a ‘better version’ of herself and what she should aspire to be more like – the ‘perfect’ woman.
How is Anta represented in a way that fits in with how women are stereotypically represented?
Her voice is low & attractive – a seductive machine
Programmed for ‘standard domestic model… basic housework’ – linking back to patriarchal ideas of the woman’s role in the home
Beauty - her clothes are basic so you’re drawn to the shape of her body
How is Niska represented?
found in a brothel – suggesting she is a prostitute being dominated by men/treated as an object that’s being used – clearly not equal.
How is Laura represented?
She is replaced by a synth (domestically, maternally & sexually) because she is struggling to be the perfect mother/wife whilst also maintaining a job.
How are ethnicities represented?
The majority of the ethnic actors are synths (“servants”) emphasising the notion of the black “slave” stereotype
The predominant casting of ethnic actors as synths reinforces their ‘lower’ social status.
Representation Theorists; Bell Hooks?
Feminism is a struggle to end patriarchal oppression & ideology of domination =
Anita & Niska are presented as submissive characters, controlled by men.
Representation Theorist: Van Zoonen?
Masculinity/Femininity are constructed through actions = woman belong to the family and men to the social world.
E.g. Joe is rational and goes and buys Anita, Anita takes up stereotypical female life, Joe’s decision to buy Anita overrules his wife’s opposition to the idea.
Women are “expected” to be domestic or sexualised – Anita exemplifies this as housewife and nurturer.
How has Van Zoonens theory of representation been challenged?
Women are not marginalised but central to the narrative & hold some positions of authority = e.g. DS Voss
