Doctor Who: Language & Representation blog tasks

 

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 :

0:00 - 06:25 - the opening theme tune to Doctor Who is very sci-fi, which sets the genre from the very beginning of the show. The camera movements are mostly quite slow and heavy, due to the lack of technology available in the 1960s. Sounds also include the constant hum of the TARDIS, which again supports its sci-fi genre.

Mise-en-scene : 

09:55 - 14:20 - the next setting shows a junkyard in which Ian and Barbara enter, the lighting is dark and shadowy and gives off an unsettling and gloomy feeling.

 

Narrative and genre :19:40 - end of episode - TARDIS taking off links to the sci-fi genre (and 1960s space race). The shadow shown at the end of the episode is a use of action and enigma codes and a cliffhanger- sets the story for the next episode and creates a narrative arc.

3) In your opinion, what is the most important scene in the episode and why?

i think that the most important scene 

4) What genre is An Unearthly Child and how can you tell? Make specific reference to aspects of the episode.

An Unearthly Child is clearly science-fiction (sci-fi), which is evidently shown through the constant ongoing theme of aliens, time travel, outer space and alternate dimensions.

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?
 The Doctor would pay most attention and talk directly to Ian rather than Barbara, she was more put to the side and shut down. Also, Ian was presented as the braver, more dominant figure between the two teachers 
2) What stereotypes of women/girls are reinforced and subverted in Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child? How?
they always show the women as weak and unworthy of anything . the doctor often shuts down barbara and rather speaks to Ian and also barbara has to be shown as being rescued / helped by Ian

 
3) How do the representations of young people and old people in An Unearthly Child reflect the social and historical context of the 1960s? 
 He is shown as an average elderly person of the time, despite clearly being more intelligent and having more strength. Also, The Doctor is shown as more harsh and threatening as he locked up Ian and Barbara in the TARDIS whereas Susan was kind and understanding this shows the difference between young and old characters 

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?

 in the first episode of doctor who there is no diversity and everyone in the cast is predominately white which isn't surprising  as the date of the release where as now the cast has some diversity in the newer episodes.

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

social class is presented as primarily middle-higher class, shown by the fact that Ian, Barbara, Susan and The Doctor all possess highly intelligent, well-spoken minds and are all portrayed to be fairly well-educated and knowledgeable. the others in the working class wasn't like them they were less smarter , and didn't have the

same opportunities.