Television: His Dark Materials - Language and Representation

 Television: His Dark Materials - Language and Representation

Language:

1) Camerawork, editing and sound: In the beginning of the episode, the use of epic orchestral sound and epic nondiegetic sound is used to create drama and tension and reflects the locations within the episode. It also sets the genre and atmosphere, creates suspense and helps to create pace as well as excitement. Towards the end of the episode, non diegetic sound reflects the intensity of the the scenes and signifies the danger and supernatural events. The diegetic dialogue between Will and Lyra is used to emphasise their growing friendship and closeness. 

In the beginning of the episode, the use of camerawork and editing consists of low angle shots of Lyra and Mrs Coulter makes them seem powerful and reveals their dominance. The daemons and setting are used to present the idea of fantasy and the unearthly backdrop. The wide, establishing shots are used to emphasise the setting. Towards the end of the episode, the camerawork consists of bird's-eye views during the chase scene to give an aerial perspective of the city, and also uses a variety of medium, close up and long shots to reinforce Lyra and Will's close friendship. In the final scene, the low angle of Mrs Coulter and the high angle of the witch reveals the power dynamic. 

Mise-en-scene: In the beginning of the episode, the use of the setting 'city in the sky' reinforces the genre (cave, ocean, water) and also uses the submarine, hot air balloon and cafe. Towards the end of the episode, the use of the city links to the dialogue and emphasises the neglected and abandoned nature of the city. The setting links to steampunk. The use of costume and makeup reinforces stereotypes and emphasises the power of Mrs Coulter through the symbol of red (femme fatale). Furthermore, towards the end of the episode, white makeup is used to signify the unearthly nature and is reinforced through the costume. The use of action/actors (placement and movement) links to the subverted gender stereotypes as Lyra walks on the bed and eats with her hands, which shows her lack of manners.

Narrative & Genre: In the beginning of the episode, the genre links to the fantasy genre through the use of daemons, witches, prophecies and supernatural events. The chase scene consists of both the action and enigma codes (Barthes). The narrative reinforces the genre through the fantasy setting and the audience pleasures of relationships and identity. There is use of binary opposition throughout because of the juxtaposition between good and evil, and young and old(er). 

Representations: The use of strong female characters subverts stereotypes about women, as they are shown to be independent and fearless (i.e. Mrs Coulter & Lyra). Religion is presented in a negative light and are seen to be quite evil, as they are scheming with Mrs Coulter, who is seen to torture and manipulate people; the reference to Dust and Sin also presents it in a negative light. Gender roles are reversed; WIll is not typically masculine and Lyra is decision-maker. Men are seen as aggressive, but females are specifically seen as being in control. Age stereotypes are subverted as children seem to be in charge. There is a large amount of diversity as the witch specifically is from a black background and takes down male guards and kills the cardinal; she is shown to be both strong and powerful.  

2) His Dark Materials fits the typical conventions because it uses a multi-strand narrative that continues across the entire show, linking one episode to another. The plot follows a mysterious series of fantasy concepts that are seen throughout many other shows. Furthermore, the show contains the typical conventions of a fantasy TV genre because of the use of music and sound, which is dramatised to exemplify the concepts within the show, such as the Daemons and Dust. The use of music also helps to create a mysterious atmosphere and also pushes forward the narrative and action.

3) While Propp's character theory is a stereotypical, conventional representation of typical films/shows/books, His Dark Materials subverts many stereotypes and as a result the characters do not fit into the character types. Lyra, for example, cannot be considered as the princess because she demonstrates exceeding bravery and is not seen as the one who needs saving, as may be seen in other shows or films. However, she can be seen as the Hero, even though this character is traditionally male. Will can be also seen as the Hero but can also be seen to be the Helper, as he accompanies Lyra, the Protagonist, and is not the main focus of the show or the Protagonist initially. The Villain can be seen as Lyra's mother, Mrs Coulter, who actively attempts to go against Lyra, but this character is also seen to be traditionally male. She seems to show the typical values of a villain, however, and can be seen to fit the stereotype. 

4) Enigma Codes may include the Prophecy about Lyra or the mystery surrounding Will's journey and father. Action Codes may include the camera shots, such as the focus on Lyra's hand when revealing what was in front of her, as a way to create suspense and mystery. Another Action Code may also be the urgency within the pair's movements as they chased the children in order to gain information from them. 

5) Binary opposition can be found in gender, for example Lyra and Will or Mrs Coulter and Lyra's father. This can be used to contrast two people in regards to wider aspects rather than just gender; Lyra and Will are opposites because of Will's compassion and skills compared to Lyra, who is much more assertive and aggressive. Moreover, the use of contrast within setting, i.e. dark and light, can be seen to emphasise two opposing features in addition to the light. When there is darkness portrayed in scenes where Lyra is hiding the Alethiometer from Will, it can actively depict the mystery within her life. The darkness may also be used to exemplify that danger may exist in the future and hints at it. Furthermore, the use of darkness in scenes with Mrs Coulter may demonstrate the evil within her and the fact that she uses manipulation (and torture, as shown in scenes with the Witch) to get her way. 

Representations:

1) Gender stereotypes are subverted constantly. Lyra is shown to be independent and especially fierce, for she is aggressive and unafraid. While cooking is usually portrayed as a feminine task, Lyra does not know how to cook while Will does, which actively subverts stereotypes. Lyra is shown to be more brave and the leader of the pair, while Will listens to her and does not take charge; this also subverts stereotypes as men are usually shown to take the lead. Even in Propp's Character Theory, the Hero is seen to be usually a man.

2) Through Will, masculinity is not shown in its traditional sense of being fierce and independent; Will follows Lyra's lead and helps her instead of taking charge, which subverts stereotypes for masculinity. Lee Scoresby is shown to be quite independent and fits the stereotypical representation of a masculine figure, which may reinforce stereotypes. 

3) The episode features a city which does not contain many adults; the main characters are teenagers and are seen to be mostly independent of adults, especially throughout the first part of the episode. However, they are seen to fit the representation of stereotypical teenagers through their attitude and actions - Lyra is shown to be devoid of certain manners like eating with cutlery, which may aptly reinforce stereotypes about teenagers. 

4) Stereotypes are subverted frequently as many of the most independent characters are from ethnic minority backgrounds. The secondary throughout the end of the episode, Will and many other characters are seen to be the most independent and subvert stereotypes that people of colour are not as brave/strong/important as they play vital roles in the series. The cast is quite diverse and is not made of an all-white cast. 

5) The world of HDM is a fantasy world, but contains elements of the real world. The world WIll is from is one which is identical to the real world, as he does not understand Dust or Daemons. Lyra, however, is shown to be from a fantasy world either in the present or (perhaps) in the past, as there are elements of traditional English society; the Magisterium is shown to be quite old-fashioned. Furthermore, the patriarchal society is one that may seem to be from the past.