Peaky Blinders: Theory Application

Question 1

Todorov: Narratology

Answer 1

• The equilibrium: the opening scenes establish Tommy as a man of great status. They also show the day-to-day running of the Shelby’s gambling operation, but the disruption (the mistaken theft of the guns) has already occurred and further disruption (Campbell’s campaign) is already beginning.
• Sub plots: Almost every character has their own narrative arc, e.g. Arthur’s equilibrium, disrupted by his interrogation with the police
• Only a few of these are resolved in the first episode, and this encourages viewers to watch the entire series.

Question 2

Steve Neale: Genre

Answer 2

• Gangster films and historical dramas have a recognisable array of conventions that produce audience gratification.
• These include narrative ingredients like anti-heroes, scenes of suspense and violence, but also more aesthetic pleasures like locations and costumes.
• Neale would say they also need to display something original to set them apart from other examples.
• Peaky Blinders does this by offering greater depth and complexity to the typical ‘tough guy’ representation
• It does this by rooting their violence in historical and socio-economic context (especially PTSD). When considering the set design and its location, it is not only industrial but also hellish – fire explodes or glimmers in almost every scene in this episode. This offers a distinctly different aesthetic to other period dramas like Bridgerton.

Question 3

Strauss: Structuralism (Binary Opposition)

Answer 3

• Inspector Campbell is presented as a binary opposition to Polly.
• Patriarchy VS Matriarchy: Subverts stereotypes of a male dominated world through Polly’s role as the wise, leader of the PBs. Opposes the patriarchy of the police, who are presented as the ‘evil’ - matriarch is ‘good’, patriarch is ‘evil’.
• Arthur – plays a binary opposition to the Tommy through the difference in their roles. (“I think, so that you don’t have to.”)
• Inspector Campbell is presented as a binary opposition to Tommy. Violence vs Wit, Pro vs Antag, Familiar vs Outsider.

Question 4

Stuart Hall: Representation

Answer 4

• The stereotypical representation of men as brutal and violent
• Aunt Polly as a Dominant, matriarchal figure.
• Stereotypical use of Ada as a sexual, passive character with little power
• Examples: Campbell instigating violence against Arthur

Question 5

Feminist Theories

Answer 5

• Aunt Polly’s character: Strong female lead, first entrance with a gun at a man. Wise and knowledgeable, as male leads seek her advice. She is older, but still well dressed which could suggest her beauty is being used to sexually appeal to an older male audience. Her power is often undermined by the younger male characters - “Nothing that’s womens business” “We’re back now”, and her role in the war effort is dismissed as the men have returned.
• Ava presented as sexual object for political power. Symbol of rebellion to be involved with her as she is in the Shelby family - her wishes for a further relationship with Freddie are ignored as he solely uses her for sex and to further gain power and political power through understanding the plans.
• Period piece, lack of representation of black people except for one man.
• Chinese population presented as gossipers and witches - otherisation when briefly mentioned. Used for fear mongering.

Question 6

Stuart Hall: Reception Theory

Answer 6

• Preferred reading: viewers who agree with and enjoy the depiction and dramatisation of working-class lives and history. (even though accuracy is lost to gratify entertainment)
• Negotiated reading: Some viewers may enjoy the depictions of industrial areas as vibrant and exciting but may find the stylised violence upsetting
• Opposed reading: They may find style of the show off-putting and superficial and the historical accuracy dubious (factually, the Blinders mainly operated in the late 1800s, not the 1920s). They may also reject the use of anachronistic punk and rock music annoying