Doctor Who: Language and Representations

 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. 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

Narrative: There is a mystery of where Susan Foreman lives.

Character: Susan is 15 years old and is ''a genius''

Iconography: Futureistic radio she is lightening to pop

Setting: Junkyard - creepy atmosphere

Narrative: '' we are about to interfere in something best left alone''

Character: Susan presented as different to other students

Iconography: mystery or suspense

Setting: car, school, class and junkyard

Narrative: Danger + threat

 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.

Equilibrium: normal day at school, students exiting, teachers chatting.

Disrupted: Ian and Barbara (teachers) are talking to Susan (student) and offer her a lift home. They follow her home.

Recognition: See Susan enter her house, they enter and see a junk yard- they are shocked.

Reparation: Enter Tardis because Dr found them, teachers are confused- realisation of aliens.

New Equilibrium: Ian, Susan, Barbara and Dr Who travel to the cavemen- show the Tardis.

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.

Doctor who - Villian

The doctor was first seen as a villian  as we see in the first episode but now days is seen  as a hero

Susan Foreman - Helper/sidekick

Ian Chesterton - Hero

Barbra Wright - Heroine

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.)

Enigma Codes: creates mystery and suspicion

Last scene- where have they gone? Place? Will the teachers be released? What shadow did they show?

Lift Scene- Why does Susan like to walk in the dark? 

Action: audience knows what will follow up

Close zoom on button in the Tardis- so we know they will be transported.

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?

Hero (Ian) vs Villain (Dr)---plot twists, drives the narrative.

Masculine (superior) vs Feminine (inferior)

Big vs Small

Representations

1) What stereotypes of men are reinforced and subverted in Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child? How?

The stereotypes of men that have been reinforced is that men are seen as superior towards females. e.g.

Doctor who is superior towards Susan Foreman-

The stereotypes of men that have been subverted is men being caring towards young children. e.g. Ian Wright is Susan's science teacher. He is worried about her so that's why Ian and Barbara find the TARDIS. This subverts the stereotypes of men as this was seen as a women's job (motherly).

2) What stereotypes of women/girls are reinforced and subverted in Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child? How?

The stereotypes of women that have been reinforced are women being inferior to men. e.g. When Ian and Barbra are at the junkyard the Doctor completely ignores Barbra and keeps talks to Ian 

"Young man "

The stereotypes that have been subverted are that women are presented to be working and earning money (Barbra Wright)  not staying at home and doing domestic works and looking after the children whilst the men work.

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)? Has this changed in more recent series of Doctor Who?

The stereotypes of young people are that they are quit disobeying. This reinforced by Susan's character as she disagrees, doesn't listen to the Doctor and argues with him. 

The stereotypes old people are that they are quit oppressive, superior and grumpy. This is reinforced in the scene were the Doctor orders Susan and shows his superiority.

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?

All white people showing no equality of ethnicity.

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

Teachers - middle class

Doctor/ Susan - educated 

Social and Historical context

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

An unearthly child reflected the historical context as Susan (the unearthly child) was from outer space and during this time (1960s) They had historical events to with space and travel.   

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

The audience perhaps have been amazed as it was very new to them. However now we have changed a large amount with advanced technology and advance information to guide us to the future.