Doctor Who: Language and Representation blog tasks

Social and Historical context

1) How does An Unearthly Child reflect the social and historical contexts of the 1960s?

An Unearthly Child reflects social and historical context as Ian is seen as a manly, and Barbara is seen as a frightened women who needs a manly man to protect her.

2) How might audiences have felt towards science fiction in the 1960s?

 Audiences might have firstly felt scared to the idea of science fiction as it exposes them to aliens and extra terrestrial phenomenology. But also some audiences might have been excited to see what could be explored i space and earth. Also, because of Space race people would've been very drawn to the idea of science fiction as space race was really big during the 1960s. Plus, it was something new and exciting so that might have gotten viewers thrilled.

Language and close-textual analysis

1) Choose three key moments in the episode and write an NCIS analysis for those clips. You can use your notes from the screening in class or use this Google document of our class notes combined (you'll need your GHS Google login). Make specific, detailed references using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

An Unearthly Child scene analysis: 00:00-6:40

Narrative: In the opening scene there is a police box suggesting it could be a crime/mystery drama.Mystery of Susan’s address and not knowing where she lives. Enigma code - makes the audience want to keep watching. 

Character:  When The teachers Barbara Wright and Ian Chesterton atre introduced they are  White middle class teachers, which is quite stereotypical. And when the student who is seen as a "genius" and "strange", Susan her Costume is of a  typical teenager, dressed in 1960s style, short hair for a 15 years old (teenager) Strange dancing emphasises ‘alien’ element to her character (‘An Unearthly Child’).

Iconography: Susan has a portable radio - in 1963 this would have been quite advanced technology (science fiction genre). 

Setting: Junkyard - dark, foggy, mysterious - suggests danger/threat.

Coal Hill School setting- maybe a school/high school drama.

Science classroom - blackboard in background with homework written on it; chemicals and sink in classroom. emphasise science fiction genre.

2) How does Todorov's theory of equilibrium apply to An Unearthly Child? Try and use the expanded version of Todorov's theory: Equilibrium - Disruption - Recognition - Reparation - New equilibrium.
 Todorov's theory of equilibrium can be applied to 'An Unearthly Child' as at first the disequilibrium was where does Susan live? After the teachers found out she lives in the tardis they end that disequilibrium. But then the teachers get trapped in the Tardis which would be the new disequilibrium and and finally you see them fainted and a big dark shadow which is an enigma code which would make the audience want to know how the disequilibrium would end .

3) Applying Propp's character theory, what character roles do each of the main characters in An Unearthly Child fit into? Alternatively, you may wish to discuss how characters do not fit Propp's character types.
Propp's character theory does not fit the first episode of Doctor who as The Doctor is presented more like a villain then a hero and the fact that he trapped the teachers in the Tardis electrocuted Ian and

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

The enigma and action codes in 'An Unearthly Child' is who the Doctor is?will the teacher return back safely?where was he doctor taking them?what was the big mysterious shadow? and the action codes could be when the tardis takes off where its going? what shadowy figure is there. 

5) What examples of binary opposition (Levi-Strauss) can you find in An Unearthly Child? How do these create narrative or drama for the audience? You can find notes on binary opposition if you scroll up this page if you haven't covered this in class yet.
There are many binary oppositions in 'An Unearthly Child' like: human v alien, good v evil, old v young and hero v villain.

Representations

1) What stereotypes of men are reinforced and subverted in Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child? How?
 Stereotypes about men are reinforced in Doctor Who as 'Ian Chesterson' is the only one being spoken to and also the one who said 'i'll just get on with it' reinforcing the idea that men were stronger and less frightened and always went into a battle headfirst.

2) What stereotypes of women/girls are reinforced and subverted in Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child? How?
The stereo types of women being scared and frightened and also need a man to save them was heavily presented as Barbara Wright is ignored by the Doctor whenever she speaks and also when Ian is being heroic Barbara says 'i'm frightened' showing she was scared and incapable of saving herself.

3) What are common media stereotypes of young people and old people? Do any of the characters or scenarios reinforce or subvert these conventional stereotypes (consider this was 1963)? 
Common stereotypes of young people is that they are rebellious and lively and always causing some type of mischievous whereas old people are arrogant and judgemental. Susan is presented as a typical teen and reinforces the idea that they are rebellious as she speaks out to the Doctor and Doctor also reinforces these stereotypes as he is arrogant and evil and shocks Ian Chesterson.

4) What representations of race/ethnicity can be found in Doctor Who: An Earthly Child? Is this surprising or not? Give reasons for your answer and consider historical / cultural context (the 1960s). Has this changed in more recent series of Doctor Who?

The representation of race and ethnicity is not diverse. As most of the characters are middle class white people.This has changed over the years and Doctor Who casts are more diverse the in 1963 ,but because people of colour were looked down upon ;white was the only right colour to be they had no respect for people of colour and that why the casting was entirely white. Also, in the first episode the Doctor is seen making a racist joke about red Indians.

5) How is social class represented in An Unearthly Child? Think about how education and knowledge is presented in the episode.

Everyone in the show is seen to be middle class. And Barbra is a well educated women who works at as teacher but is given zero respect from the Doctor who only speaks to Ian as he is a man. This reinforces the stereotype that women were given Little respect and were more expected to be uneducated and stay at home being housewives.