doctor who: language & representation

 Language and contexts

1) Write a summary of the notes from our in-class analysis of the episode.

Camerawork and sound: Slow, clunky camera movement (due to technology in 1960s

Mise-en-scene: costume and hair typical of 1960s.

Narrative and genre: Enigma codes: mystery of Susan’s home. French Revolution book - “I’ll have finished it” “That’s not right”... suggests time travel

2) How can we apply narrative theories to this episode of  Doctor Who? 

Propp's character theory: Doctor presented as villain.

Barthes's enigma and action codes: Barthes - action codes: “Don’t touch it”. Enigma codes: Will the teachers get out? Why can’t the doctor go back to his home?

Levi-Strauss's binary opposition:  Light/dark - lost torch

3) In your opinion, what is the most important scene in the episode and why?

4) What genre is An Unearthly Child and how can you tell? Make specific reference to aspects of the episode.

science fiction

5) How does An Unearthly Child reflect the social and historical contexts of the 1960s?
The 1960s saw a shift in British culture. There was more freedom for young people and a breakaway from traditions.

Representations

1) What stereotypes of men are reinforced and subverted in Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child? How?
One stereotype being subverted is of men being in charge as Ian is helping Barbara not the other way around.

2) What stereotypes of women/girls are reinforced and subverted in Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child? How?
A stereotype of woman being reinforced is that woman are overly emotional where Susan's over reactions and outbursts were shown. A stereotype of woman being subverted is them being sidekicks or "cheerleaders" this is shown by Barbara asking Ian for help making Ian the sidekick.

3) How do the representations of young people and old people in An Unearthly Child reflect the social and historical context of the 1960s? 
stereotype being reinforced is that teenagers dating this is shown when Ian and Barbara are seen in the car at the dump where they suggest that it would be normal for Susan to be meeting a boy.

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 representations of ethnicity is that white people are the dominate race this is shown by there being a white cast and that there was no there race in the episode this is not surprising because the Human Rights act was only passed down in the UK in the year 1998.

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

Susan is presented as smart and even gifted, she is also portrayed as a middle class brit.