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.)

focuses on Lyra's transition into a new life with Mrs. Coulter and the revelation of her true parentage

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

Camerawork, editing and sound: 

fake wind sound effect.

Mise-en-scene:

daemons, which are animal companions representing a person's soul

Narrative and genre: fantasy, young adult fiction, and science fiction elements, creating a unique genre hybrid

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?

through its world-building, use of magic and fantastical creatures, complex narratives, and exploration of themes like authority and identity

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

distinct roles

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.)

Enigma codes, or hermeneutic codes, raise questions and mysteries, while action codes, or proairetic codes, drive the narrative forward

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. 

black and white are binary opposites. Strauss also concluded that all words are merely symbols of man-

humanity versus technology, age versus youth, brawn versus intelligence.

Representations

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

gender stereotypes are present, the trilogy also subverts traditional gender roles, particularly through Lyra's agency and Mrs. Coulter's unconventional power dynamics

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

masculinity is presented as a force of power, authority, and control, often associated with leadership and ambition

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.

 challenges stereotypes by portraying young people like Lyra and Will as capable and resilient, and by offering nuanced representations of adult characters like Mrs. Coulter, who is both ambitious and complex

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

fictional groups of people, the Gyptians, and the Tartars, as well as through the casting choices in the HBO series

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.

 we get a world that is similar but obviously different from our own. While Will Parry's world is a reflection of ours, .