Representation: blog tasks

 Read the Media Magazine feature 'Representation old and new'. This is in MM51 on page 6 - go to our Media Magazine archive to find the article. Complete the following tasks:

1) Why is representation an important concept in Media Studies? Understanding representations are created, and how they create meaning, and how they create meaning, is central to an understanding of the media.

2) How does the example of Kate Middleton show the way different meanings can be created in the media? The photograph of Kate Middleton in the newspaper is a re-presentation of what she looks like, with people controlling and manipulating the image. This means the various different images can create different meanings to audience. 

3) Summarise the section 'The how, who and why of media representation' in 50 words. All media products have a specific function which will impact on the representations they construct. Producers will consider needs of the target audience, the limitations provided by genre codes, the type of narrative they wish to create and their institutional remit. 

4) How does Stuart Hall's theory of preferred and oppositional readings fit with representation? 

Hall’s theory suggests audiences can accept the preferred meaning created by producers or challenge it with an oppositional reading. This applies to representation because audiences may agree or disagree with how people and groups are portrayed.

5) How has new technology changed the way representations are created in the media? 

New technology has allowed more people to create and share representations through social media. Audiences can now challenge stereotypes and create alternative representations.

6) What example is provided of how national identity is represented in Britain - and how some audiences use social media to challenge this?

The article discusses British national identity being represented through ideas such as tradition, monarchy and multiculturalism. Social media allows audiences to challenge narrow representations and share different views of British identity.

Watch the clip from Luther that we studied in class (Season 1, Episode 1 - minute 7.40-10.00 - you'll need your Greenford Google login to access the clip). Now answer these final two questions:

7) Write a paragraph analysing the dominant and alternative representations you can find in the clip from Luther.

The Luther clip creates dominant representations of crime and policing by presenting the detective as intelligent, serious and determined. John Luther is represented as a powerful male figure who uses skill and authority to solve problems. However, alternative representations can be found because Luther is also shown as emotionally complex and vulnerable, challenging stereotypes of the unemotional male detective. The clip also challenges simple ideas of good and evil by showing characters with complicated motivations.

8) Write a paragraph applying a selection of our representation theories to the clip from Luther. Our summary of each theory may help you here:

Levi-Strauss: representation and ideology

Mulvey: the male gaze

Dyer: stereotyping and power
Medhurst: value judgements
Perkins: some stereotypes can be positive or true

The Luther clip can be analysed using several representation theories. Levi-Strauss theory suggests representations reflect ideology and binary oppositions. The clip creates oppositions between good and evil, crime and justice, and order and chaos. Mulvey’s male gaze theory can be applied because female characters may be presented through a male perspective, although Luther also challenges traditional male stereotypes by showing emotional vulnerability. Dyer’s theory suggests stereotypes are linked to power, and Luther is represented as a powerful male detective with authority. Medhurst argues stereotypes contain value judgements, so criminals are often presented negatively while detectives are shown as heroic. However, Perkins suggests stereotypes are not always negative, and Luther’s representation of masculinity can be seen as positive because he is intelligent, determined and protective.