Class: Language and Representation

 Language and close-textual analysis

1) Write an analysis for the episode - using 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.)

Co-owner of a Lonely Heart

NCIS / Narrative: Corakinus tries to to anchor his heart to stop him from sharing it with April, this fails and makes their connection stronger, April with her powers becomes even more aggresively stronger causing her to harm and threaten her Father soon after Ram and all the other teens witness this. April then stops her attack and heals her mother from her paralysis before being quickly found by Corakinus. April then decides to fight him which causes her to create a tear into the shadow realm which soon after Ram quickly follows. The new Headteacher also attempts to gain Quill's assistance with the issue of the man-eating flower petals in exchange for her freedom.

Camerawork: In the episode the show uses a variety of different camera angles to create more tension, suspense, example like zooming in on a characters face to build tension and to really focus in on the character.

Editing: The show includes many different editing styles like the different coloured lighting with the orange light surrounding Corakinus and in April's eyes when she's angry to symbolise fire and danger maybe, the blue coloured scheme suggests elements of the Sci-Fi genre running in the show.

Sound: The show uses non-digetic sound like for the flower petal biting the Headteacher to create an element of suspense and tension.

Mise-en-scene: The show includes different props that connect to the Sci-Fi genre like Quill's gun, Charlie's box, the costumes match to their ages and personalities. 

2) How does Todorov's theory of equilibrium apply to Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Try and use the expanded version of Todorov's theory: Equilibrium - Disruption - Recognition - Reparation - New equilibrium. You can find reminder notes on all these narrative theories here - just scroll down to narrative.

The epsiode starts in equilibrium with students in their lessons, April's heart still shared with Corakinus and herself. This equilibrium is distrupted by April's strange behaviour at school as well as her aggresive confrontation with her father. This is recognised by the swords that she holds as her father when he scrambles away. This is however reparation when her father returns and tries to make amends as well as when April heals her mother's paralyis. We are then left with a new equilibrium of April and Ram in the shadow realm and other characters on earth.

3) Applying Propp's character theory, what character roles do each of the main characters in Class fit into? Alternatively, you may wish to discuss how characters do not fit Propp's character types.

The hero character type is shown through April or Charlie as Charlie is being tasked with saving the earth using the cabinet of souls, whereas April is on a quest to retrieve her heart back. It could also be argued that Miss Quill is also the hero as she is attempting to find a solution to the flower invasion. The princess in this as she is sometimes rescued by Ram. The villain is definitely Corakinus since he attempts to stop April from getting her heart back, trying to take it for himself. Ram could be the false hero as he jumps into the portal after April when she clearly has everything under control and is the only one with powers. 

4) What enigma and action codes (Barthes) can you find in Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Make specific, detailed reference to the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

A few action codes that can be found throughout the episode include when April's dad shows up at her car since it alludes to a future conflict between April and her Dad. Also the flowers multiplying may initiate a threat/danger coming. Finally, April cutting the tear in the portal open at the end of the episode imply a later confrontation in the show.

5) What examples of binary opposition (Levi-Strauss) can you find in Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? 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.

One binary opposition which is extremely clear in this episode is Darkness vs Light, which is shown between the Shadow Realm and Planet Earth since the Shadow realm is full of shadows and lacks light whereas planet earth is bright and full of colour. Another binary opposition in the show is Young vs Old, most clearly shown between Charlie and Quill. 

Representations

1) How is gender represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Are gender stereotypes reinforced or subverted?

Many gender stereotypes are shown in Class for example, Females: Women are presented as strong and independent in this show, which presented through April and Quill and subverts the stereotype that women are weak. However, it could also be reinforcing this stereotype through April's mother needing to be healed and when she fell her ex-husband was holding her. The stereotype that men need to be strong are both subverted and reinforced. Ram is shown to be protective over April and a sporty character, which reinforces the stereotype however he is also defenceless against April and follows behind her. 

2) How is age (e.g. teenagers; older people like teachers or parents) represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Does the show reinforce or challenge stereotypes about young people?

The show subverts many stereotypes against young people for example that teenagers are weak. This subverted through the powerful characters like April, having to protect their older counterparts. However, the show reinforces stereotypes against teenagers, one example is that teenagers are impulsive. 

3) How is race and ethnicity represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Are  stereotypes reinforced or subverted?

 

Race and stereotypes against it are subverted in this show, with lead roles like Ram and Tanya as crucial characters in this show. It subverts the ideas that certain races, like Indians are all uptight and untrusting since Ram is a very open and trusting character. Also the show includes characters from East Europe who are openly gay, which both reinforces and subverts stereotypes that all Eastern Europeans are homophobic.

4) How is sexuality represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? How does this reflect the BBC's remit to represent modern Britain?

The show includes an openly gay relationship, which is not made to be any different from any other relationship, massively subverting centuries of media which did not represent this group of people. This reflects BBC's remit since it shows all relationships are accepted and can be shown on TV.

5) How is disability represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Why are disabled people generally under-represented in the media and how does Class try to address this?

Disability in Class is represented as a entirely normal, yet it also destroys this, since April heals her mother's paralysis, undermining how her disability should be permanent but u unimportant. Disability is often under-represented as many people who are disabled are seen as weak and pitiful, therefore unnecessary to be seen on screen. The show tries to subvert this by including a strong-willed disabled character, but fails in this, since her disability is written off as something that must be healed for her to be 'normal'.