Doctor Who: Language and Representation
Language an Contexts
1) Write a summary of the notes from our in-class analysis of the episode. You can use your own notes from the screening in class or this Google document of class notes (you'll need your GHS Google login).
Camerawork and sound: The hum in the beginning of the episode creates mystery and illustrates the sci-fi genre
Mise-en-scene: The Doctor's costume is out of place (odd hat and scarf) to convey his strange and alien behaviour
Narrative and genre: sci-fi genre , character theory- Susan is the princess while the doctor could be the villain/ anti-hero of this episode , no equilibrium at the end as it leaves on a cliff-hanger .
2) How can we apply narrative theories to this episode of Doctor Who?
Todorov's Equilibrium: Susan is at school but teachers are worried about her , augment with The Doctor outside the Tardis , there is no resolution for this episode.
Propp's character theory: Susan would be the princess, the Doctor would be villain/anti-hero
Barthes's enigma and action codes: enigma code - the time travel and eding shot of mystery, action codes - the TARDIS flying and shaking
Levi-Strauss's binary opposition: Old/young Doctor Who and Susan, Normal life/ futuristic technology
3) In your opinion, what is the most important scene in the episode and why?
The scene inside the Tardis where the tension is rising is the most important scene as it showcases all the characters' personality and creates mystery and intrigue surrounding Doctor Who as we don't yet know if he is the villain or hero of this story.
4) What genre is An Unearthly Child and how can you tell? Make specific reference to aspects of the episode.
Sci-fi because there are references to aliens, time travel and futuristic technology also the set design of the TARDIS is very futuristic as it has a white and silver colour scheme with a other worldly design on the walls.
5) How does An Unearthly Child reflect the social and historical contexts of the 1960s?
This episode was created when the space race was happening so the audience would be very interested in the ideas and concepts around space and time travel.
Representations
1) What stereotypes of men are reinforced and subverted in Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child? How?
Masculine stereotypes are reinforced as Ian is seen as less emotional, more rational and controlling , masculine stereotypes are subverted by
2) What stereotypes of women/girls are reinforced and subverted in Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child? How?
The stereotype of women being emotional and motherly is reinforced by the female teacher as she acts less logically towards Susan. They are subverted by Susan as she is portrayed as very intelligent which would be very unconventional in 1963.
3) How do the representations of young people and old people in An Unearthly Child reflect the social and historical context of the 1960s?
3) How do the representations of young people and old people in An Unearthly Child reflect the social and historical context of the 1960s?
Old people are represented as
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?
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?
This episode of Doctor Who doesn't have diversity in race/ethnicity as they are all white however, this isn't surprising for the media in 1963. In more recent times ethnicity is divers as the most recent season has the first black male Doctor.
The social class isn't diverse as the characters are all around higher middle class which can be shown by their "posh" accents.
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