Theorists - Representation

Question 1

Hall (Polysemic representations)

Answer 1

Hall believes that meaning is created by what is present, absent and different. Representations within a media product involve the audience creating meaning.

Question 2

Gauntlett (Identity)

Answer 2

Gauntlett believes that we create our own identities not the media. The media just represent already existing identities. Identities are complicated.

Question 3

Van Zoonen (Patriarchy)

Answer 3

Van Zoonen believes that patriarchal culture leads to differences in gender representations such as how women are presented as objects and male bodies are presented as spectacles.

Question 4

Butler (Gender)

Answer 4

Butler believes that gender is established by the way we repeatedly perform our gender roles. Gender is performative and not what we are but what we do.

Question 5

bell hooks (Intersectionality)

Answer 5

bell hooks believes intersectionality refers to the overlapping identities and representations withing a media product e.g. gender, race, sexuality

Question 6

Gilroy (Ethnicity)

Answer 6

Gilroy believes that Britain has failed to mourn the loss of its empire creating postcolonial melancholia. This essential means racism still exists.