Humans Section (A)

Question 1

Name 3 binary opposites within Humans.

Answer 1

New (Vera) vs Old (Odi)
Freedom (Leo) vs Captivity (Anita)
Humans (Laura) vs Technology (Anita)

Question 2

What are 2 cultural references in Humans? What theorist could you link this to?

Answer 2

The name Hawkins family, is a reference to Stephen Hawkins.
The name of Odi, is reference to the abbreviation Open Data Institute. (Barthes)

Question 3

What is the 5 key points in a Todorov Narrative Structure?

Answer 3

1. unstable equilibrium
2. Disruption of equilibrium
3. Recognition of disruption
4. attempt to resolve
5. stable equilibrium

Question 4

Where is a racial hierarchy within the sythns? Who’s theory is this?

Answer 4

Paul Gilroy. Leo and his followers.
Anita is Asian. Max and Fred are Black. Niska is European. Leo is white. He is the leader and decision maker, Niska is the only person who speaks up to him in the brothel scene, she is the only other white character.

Question 5

What is Hall’s theory on stereotyping?

Answer 5

Stereotyping is where people are reduced to a series of codes and conventions. They have mainly been created in the media where there has been inequalities of power.

Question 6

What is the hierarchy within the Hawkins family?

Answer 6

Racial hierarchy with Anita being their slave and the only non-british heritage holding character. Gender hierarchy, Joe, kids, Laura, Anita. bell hooks intersectionality.

Question 7

How are women represented?

Answer 7

Women are sexualised and objectified. This is easily seen in the brothel scene with Niska from a POV shot from Leo’s eye level. + semiology of the colour red.

Also as inferior to males/others, we don’t see one female in power in any multistrand narrative.

Question 8

How is The Grammar of Race applicable?

Answer 8

The Slave Trope applies to all the synths that follow Leo around.
Niska - sex worker
Fred - plantation (barthes cultural reference)
Max - unwaveringly loyal to leo