Representations/Media Language Flashcards
What is the stereotypical nature of The Peaky Blinder?
Stereotypical violent nature of being part of a gang
What is an outdated trope used to reflect masculinity?
Violence is an outdated trope used to reflect masculinity
What are the males typically represented as?
males typically strong, emotionally vacant, brutal and violent although is complicated by the Shelby brothers experiences in war. Fearless in reality they are suffering from PTSD
What is fragile of the Shelby brothers?
Shelby brother masculine is fragile due to trauma of the war - ultimate mental weakness (PTSD)
What is Tommy also seen as?
Tommy is seen as a tough guy with a heart of gold. Though emotionally restrained and capable of bursts of incredible violence.
Who is Tommy kind to?
Tommy is king to children and the elderly and helping his community
What is rooted by previous trauma?
Machismo rooted by previous trauma adding a later or vulnerability to traditional ‘tough guy’ gangster
What is complex about female representations
Females are more complex and narratively significant than usual gangsters
Describe Polly as a character
Polly has more background and nuance to her character including a problematic relationship with motherhood and her extended family - strong female character
Describe the character of Grace
Grace is initially ‘to pretty’ for the area who can calm a bar with her siren songs - she then turns to a vengeful under cover for the Inspector
Describe Butlers Gender performativity
Gender is a social construct - people ‘perform’ a gender role composed of clothes behaviours, makeup etc
What is crucial about costume in Peaky Blinders?
Costume is crucial for constructing gender and status
Describe the costumes of the Peaky Blinders
Peaky Blinders wear expensive suits and flat caps also turning into weapons - announces their masculinity as being dominating, territorial + violent
Describe Graces costume?
Grace is a good example of performed femininity - deliberately dressed ‘girlish’ and innocent, Singing is soft and emotional later it’s revealed she’s actually vengeful / under cover agent
Name some gangster conventions that Peaky Blinders uses?
-Family loyalty
-Protagonist as the anti-hero (Tommy)
-Antagonist (Dectitve Campbell)
-Patriach/Matriach (Polly)
How is the western genre referenced?
In the first 15 minutes of the opening episode there are numerous references to the western genre: Tommys ride through the city streets, Towns people who dash to hide when he arrives etc
What type of shots are frequently used?
Tracking shots are used to follow the characters through the streets and other locations
What helps establish a more modern feel to the period?
The use of punk and rock songs, often released sixty years after the events o the show, establishes a modern feel to a period drama.
What is the equilibrium in Peaky Blinders?
-Opening scenes establish Tommy as a man of great status.
-Shows the day to day running of the Shelbys gambling operation
-Disruption has already occurred and further disruption is already beginning.
How does Peaky Blinders create differentation according to Steve Neale?
Peaky Blinders does this by offering greater depth and complexity to the typical ‘tough guys’. It does this by rooting there violence in historical and socio-economic context (especially PTSD)
What is historical revisionism?
A deliberate attempt to excavate alternative versions of a historical period by looking at the lives of the lower classes, women. LGBTQ instead of royalty and wealthy people.
What reflects the burst of female indepnendance during WW1?
Several strong, empowered female characters - Polly a matriachal figure, Ada a rebellious daughter and Grace who is initially ‘too pretty’ for the pub is revealed as an undercover agent.
