Television: His Dark Materials - Language and Representation

1) Write an analysis of the episode - using your notes from the screening in class. Make specific, detailed reference to moments in the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots and movement, editing, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

Between 3.00 and 6.00 the scene opens with orchestral music to set the atmosphere and allude to the genre of the series. The low angle camera shot of Lyra makes her seem like a powerful protagonist which subverts expectations as she's a child and a girl. The editing includes talking animals and an unearthly backdrop which emphasises the unearthly setting of the series.

You can currently watch His Dark Materials on BBC iPlayer here.

Camerawork, editing and sound: low angles, non-diegetic, diegetic dialogue, thunder sfx, medium, close up and high angle.

Mise-en-scene: The setting such as the city in the sky.

Narrative and genre:  Fantasy, adventure. This is reflected in the narrative which includes other worlds and daemons.

You can access our notes from the close-textual analysis in a previous class here - you'll need your Greenford Google login to open this.

2) How does His Dark Materials fit the conventions of the fantasy TV genre?

His Dark Materials fit the conventions of the fantasy TV genre as it fits through the elements like magical beings such as daemons, alternate worlds and a complex moral narratives.

3) Applying Propp's character theory, what character roles do some of the main characters in His Dark Materials fit into? 

Miss Coulter was the villain in His Dark Materials, 

4) What enigma and action codes (Barthes) can you find in His Dark Materials? Make specific, detailed reference to the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.) 

In His Dark Materials, One of the two children that Will and Lyra caught said" I don't trust them". This enigma code suggests conflict and violence. Also, it said " The fuse has been lit", emphasing a sense of tension and curiosity.

5) What examples of binary opposition (Levi-Strauss) can you find in His Dark Materials? How do these create narrative or drama for the audience? You can find reminder notes on all these narrative theories here - just scroll down to narrative. 

 Binary oppositions include: good vs evil (Mrs coulter and the witch), young vs old (Lyra who ia the protagonist is a young character and the villains are either adults or older people), Light vs Dark (the protagonists are in a lighter setting as opposed to the villains who are in the dark.

Representations

1) How are women represented in His Dark Materials? Are gender stereotypes reinforced or subverted? Think about Lyra and Mrs Coulter here.

 Women are presented as strong and subverting of gender expectations as Lyra is the decision maker, Mrs Coulter a cold and calculating villain and the witch as a strong character as she takes down quite a few opponents when escaping the ship.

2) How are men and masculinity represented in His Dark Materials? Think about Will and Lee Scoresby here.

Men also subvert gender stereotypes as Will takes on the role of a caregiver towards Lyra however Lee Scoresby reinforces some gender stereotypes by being an independent pilot of his own ship(?) which is a typically masculine role that has been portrayed by men throughout the ages.

3) How is age (e.g. teenagers; adults) represented in His Dark Materials? Does the show reinforce or challenge stereotypes about young people? Think about Lyra and Will plus the abandoned children they meet. Also think about Mrs Coulter and other adults.

4) How is race and ethnicity represented in His Dark Materials? Are stereotypes reinforced or subverted?

Race and ethnicity is empowered throughout the show as one of the main characters is mixed and the witch who aids another is a black woman that is shown to be good-willed and strong.

5) What representations of the world can you find in the episode - is it like real life? A fantasy world? Something from the past or future? Give examples from the episode.

 The world the characters are in id a fantasy world, this is solidified by the introduction of daemons, witches, other worlds and magic ( shown when the witch was flying through the thunderstorm.)