His Dark Materials: Language & Representation

 Language and close-textual analysis

1) Write an analysis of the episode. 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.)

Camerawork, editing and sound: Close-ups of Mrs Coulter - shows her power and dominanceLow-angle shot of Lyra makes her look dominant and powerful. Low angle camera shots of Mrs Coulter; high angle

looking down at witch. Shows power relationship between characters.

Mise en scene: Settings - different worlds ‘The City in the Sky’, cave/rainforest, ocean. Far off or exotic fantasy locations. Also, recognisable locations - Oxford, Will’s world (police etc.)

Narrative and genre: Fantasy genre - witches, different worlds.

2) How does His Dark Materials fit the conventions of the fantasy TV genre?

fantasy is often set in imagined worlds or time periods

3) Applying Propp's character theory, what character roles do some of the main characters in His Dark Materials fit into? 
Will is a fugitive (runaway) from ‘our world’ where he killed someone in self-defence

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 - what is Mrs Coulter trying to do?

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.

-creates binary opposition - Will and Lyra are now the good guys against the bad guys
-Binary opposition - good/bad people. Young/old. Creates conflict and narrative.

Representations

1) How are women represented in His Dark Materials? Are gender stereotypes reinforced or subverted? Think about Lyra and Mrs Coulter here.
Lyra is a strong independent female who doesn't bother with her appearance, cant cook and takes what she wants. Mrs coulter also subverts female stereotypes as a cold hearted villain but displays none of the maternal stereotypes the media usually presents as typically female.

2) How are men and masculinity represented in His Dark Materials? Think about Will and Lee Scoresby here.
Will subverts male or masculine stereotypes. He is kind and welcoming and wants to help Lyra. He cooks her food and makes up beds for them to sleep in. Not all characters subvert stereotypes though - Lee Scoresby is in many ways a classic masculine man on a mission to help Lyra.

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.
some of the main characters are children in this episode and are showing that they dont need adults or help from older people. The abandoned children of Cittàgazze demonstrates they can live without adults which subverts typical stereotypes. Mrs Coulter shows how stereotypes are subverted as a parent who does not care for her child.

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

Will subverts stereotypes of race and ethnicity as well as gender. However, stereotypes are reinforced that the abandoned children in Cittàgazze are presented as working class in a very stereotypical way. 

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.

its a fantasy world