Peaky Blinders- Reputation

Question 1

How can representation invoke discourses and ideologies and postion the audience

Answer 1

• Knight said he was trying to sell a story of the secret England that may be darker, more violent and subversive.
• Intended to mytholgise industrial communites but criminal too which has now resulted to a fresh pride in Birmingham
• Despite the machismo inherent in the gangster genre there are many empowered women in the series. Which reflects on the changing view on women after ww1

Question 2

What are the representations of class and local identity in the Peaky blinders ?

Answer 2

• Knight stated he wanted to show a deeper and darker Britian
• This could be seen as historical revisionism as way to alternate versions of a historical period by looking at lower classes
• Peaky blinders does not downplay the city but it portrays it as a community
• You could contrast this by Tommys ride on his horse and Mr Campbells ride into Birmingham

Question 3

How is gender of men represented in the Peaky Blinders

Answer 3

• Tommy like many other characters is seen as the tough guy with a heart of gold.
• The violence in the show has been criticised by is rooted by their past trauma suggesting vulnerablity

Question 4

How is Aunt Pollys gender represented

Answer 4

• Dresses more masculine
• Butler would be linked in terms of her gender performance
• Links to women in this timer era that had to adhere masculine styles in order to work
• Holds a powerful influence as a matricah

Question 5

Grace- Her gender representation

Answer 5

• A multi-faced character but also builds relations with the Shelbys
• Adds depth and provides a complex female character suggesting she is more than beauitful.
• The green dress contrasts the dark streets of Birmingham highlighting her signifiance

Question 6

How can Van zoonen be applied to Peaky Blinders- Feminity

Answer 6

• Polly seems to deeply care about the family and acts as a guide
• Tommy can subvert van zoonen due to being quite compassionate as he saves Danny Whizz-Bang

Question 7

Van zoonen in terms of masculinty- Peaky Blinders

Answer 7

• Masculinty is about efficiency , rationality and individuality
• Tommys and Arthurs individuality is stark which often leads to conflict
• However, Polly is also seen to have all 3 of these traits

Question 8

How can Butlers theory be applied to The Peaky Blinders

Answer 8

• Seen in costumes as the men wear expensive suits and turn flat caps into weapons highlighting their masculinty being violent
• Grace displays highly feminine features which are seen to be part of her performance
• Polly seen wearing a suit which is usually masculine attire

Question 9

How does Gauntletts theory apply to the Peaky Blinders

Answer 9

• Females have more complex representations and so can identify with a range of characteristics. As some may identify as a matricah or a person that struggles between expectations and desires
• Tommy is seen to be valued more for his intelliegence
• Arthur is valued for his poweful postion in the family