Doctor Who: Language and Representations

 

Language and 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: 

 Doctor Who has used music and and graphics to set a theme of Sci-fi (genre) right at the beginning without any straightforward verbal introduction, the slow camera movement is caused by thatch in 1960s. There are few flashbacks that show Susan's misunderstanding, which gives insight what she is thinking. Medium shot of Doctor holding a vase with the teachers faces makes him appear evil. there are shots of the TARDIS making sounds and Barbara entering the TARDIS which also builds on 

Mise-en-scene:

Narrative and genre:

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

Todorov's Equilibrium:

Propp's character theory:

Barthes's enigma and action codes:

Levi-Strauss's binary opposition: 

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.

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




Representations

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



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



3) How do the representations of young people and old people in An Unearthly Child reflect the social and historical context of the 1960s? 



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?

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