Language and close-textual analysis
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.)
You can currently watch His Dark Materials on BBC iPlayer here.
Camerawork, editing and sound: The camera angles are significantly used in order to show the relationship dynamic of the characters. Non-diegetic sound is frequently used in order to build tension but also set an atmosphere.
Mise-en-scene: Props and some settings are seen to be in the steampunk aesthetic which has connotations to fantasy drama. Multiple settings are shown that contrast which connotes to multiple worlds like the beam in the sky and the world that Lyla and Will are in.
Narrative and genre: The genre is fantasy drama. This is shown in the narrative when the narrative is about a prophecy which is a convention of fantasy drama. Daemons are also explained which reflects the fantasy genre.
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?
Prophecy's are mentioned so as fantasy creatures and multiple worlds.
3) Applying Propp's character theory, what character roles do some of the main characters in His Dark Materials fit into?
Lyla is the hero while Will and Pan are the helpers.
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.)
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.)
One enigma code is when Lyra and Will are in the city but there is no people present. An action code is when he witch beat up the men from the magisterium.
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.
Good and evil is a clear binary opposition like Lyra and her mother, Mrs Coulter. this creates drama because it creates two huge contrasts which builds tension as the story moves on.
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 subverted heavily. This is because the protagonist of the show, Lyra, is a independent teenager who's female which is not a typical role for a female in media texts. Mrs Coulter is also a dominant villain in the plot and she's seen multiple times in this episode dominating the members of the magisterium (who are male).
2) How are men and masculinity represented in His Dark Materials? Think about Will and Lee Scoresby here.
Will is seen as more venerable, confused and dependent on Lyra. This subverts male stereotypes as typically men are the one who are independent and more knowledgeable.
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.
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.
Our protagonists are teenagers which is not typically as they are seen to be independent and are in dangerous situations.
4) How is race and ethnicity represented in His Dark Materials? Are stereotypes reinforced or subverted?
There is a lot of representation of gender and ethnicity like a female villain and protagonist. There's male characters like Will and Lee.
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.
Will is the "everyman" character meaning its something that everyone in our world can relate to because he's form "our earth" and allows us to see a representation of our world.
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