LFTVD - Stranger Things: Representation

Question 1

How are historical contexts represented?

Answer 1

Through technology such as walkie-talkies, high performance radios and BMX bikes - suggest a more adventurous pre-internet age

Question 2

How is the audience positioned in terms of power?

Answer 2

Rooting for the underdogs (Joyce and children)

Question 3

How are parents represented?

Answer 3

Fathers are absent/insensitive/distracted, mothers are struggling to hold the family together

Question 4

How are families represented?

Answer 4

A typical 1980s White Spielbergian family

Question 5

How are the boys represented?

Answer 5

Fiercely loyal and masculine comraderies in the face of a hostile world

Question 6

How is Nancy represented?

Answer 6

In contradictory ways: as a emotional girl but also good at Science (gasp!)

Question 7

What are the main social anxieties represented?

Answer 7

Consequences of scientific experimentation and abduction of children

Question 8

Why is the small-town American community used?

Answer 8

It has global recognition (link to positioning the audience as American) and is the embodiment of this symbol of the good life

Question 9

What cultural tradition does Eleven represent?

Answer 9

Dangerous children in science-fiction literature

Question 10

Why is ST not a true construction of realism?

Answer 10

It celebrates intertextuality so lacks realism

Question 11

There is some realism in ST; how is this represented?

Answer 11

Through the mise-en-scene which constructs a clear sense of time and place

Question 12

What is sterotyping?

Answer 12

A commonly repeated generalisation about a group, event or institution. (This is inaccurate because it is an over-simplification)

Question 13

Why do LFTVD not use stereotypes very often?

Answer 13

Due to the narrative complexity and ambiguity, characters are well developed and rounded. Also, the multi-narrative strands allow for focussed character development

Question 14

How are stereotypes used in ST? (6 ways!)

Answer 14

1. Scientist - studious and dressed in a white coat
2. Mike’s family - affluent, White, suburban, 2-parent family
3. Nancy - teenage girl who likes gossiping and interested in boys
4. Hopper - stereotypical police officer haunted by his past
5. Agents - faceless, powerful and ruthless
6. Mothers - holding the family together

Question 15

How are stereotypes complicated in ST? (5 ways)

Answer 15

1. The representations are deliberately stereotyped for intertextual effect
2. Unusual representation of the scientist as fearful and vulnerable

Question 16

The cultural context of science going wrong reflects a long tradition in literature for example which book?

Answer 16

Frankenstein

Question 17

Why is there such complexity in the representations?

Answer 17

To reflect the contexts of the high expectations of LFTVD

Question 18

How is power represented in the episode? (Political contexts)

Answer 18

1. Anxiety about the power of the central state
2. A shadowy world of possibly sinister enforcement agents, suggesting an all powerful state

Question 19

How is the local police force represented? (Political contexts)

Answer 19

In a humanised way; good-natured but complacent until forced into action

Question 20

The representations are deliberately stereotyped for intertextual effect to create what type of reading?

Answer 20

Polysemic reading

Question 21

How are economic contexts relevant to representation?

Answer 21

The complexity of characters and representations are due to economic pressure to create quality flagship programming

Question 22

What groups are under-represented in the protagonists?

Answer 22

Old people, people of colour, people with disabilities, working-class people

Question 23

What sexuality are all the protagonists?

Answer 23

Heterosexual and cisgendered (assumed at least in Episode 1)

Question 24

How is the patriarchal society represented?

Answer 24

Through science, the family, the state - but all are deeply flawed

Question 25

How are pro-family and liberal feminist viewpoints represented?

Answer 25

Through Joyce and the gang of boys

Question 26

How is the audience positioned in terms of race?

Answer 26

As non-racist (although the one Black character could be seen as tokenistic)