Doctor who : language and representation

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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: The camera work was over the shoulder mainly when Ian and Barbara or the doctor and Ian were talking and There were establishing shots of the school and the TARDIS . For sound it was mainly mysterious music like when Ian and Barbara were entering the junkyard and futuristic music when entering the TARDIS . 


Mise-en-scene: The props in the TARDIS making is look sci-fi and the props in the junkyard to make it look eerie . the settings were the TARDIS , the school and the car . 


Narrative and genre: Narrative there were enigma codes like at the end who was the person at the like the shadow figure ? or how has Susan already finished the french revolution book when she got it the first time ?  For narrative there was the opening sequence which looked like a rocket ship taking off . This shows how it relates to sci-fi and how Susan is a time traveler. 


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


Todorov's Equilibrium:

Susan is a mysterious girl but a normal girl in a London school->Her odd behaviour and advanced knowledge worried the teacher follow her to the junk yard -> The teachers discover the TARDIS and meet the doctor -> The teachers confront the doctor but he runs of into the TARDIS -> The doctor takes them to a different period and place .

Propp's character theory: 

Hero: Barbara and Ian 

Helper : Susan 

Dispatcher : Susans strange behaviour and the mystery itself 

Barthes's enigma and action codes:

Enigma codes : Who was that shadow ? Where did the TARDIS come from ? 

action codes : Ian and Barbara entering the junkyard and the police box being bigger inside this drives the ploy forward .

Levi-Strauss's binary opposition: 

Normal vs Alien 

Past vs Present 


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

In my opinion the important scene is when Ian and Barbara enter the TARDIS and realize its bigger then outside and how the doctor takes them to a different place and not letting them go leaving the reader at the end of the episode is question of where they went . 

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

It gives of mystery and sci-fi . For sci-fi the elements like the TRADIS and the idea time travel is shown . For the mystery is present in the investigation by the teachers into Susans strange behaviour and knowledge . 

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

The episode reflects 1960s Britains concerns with education , gender roles , social change and space race . The teachers represent the importance of school while susan symbolises a younger generation with advanced knowledge . The doctors authority and mystery mirror Cold war fears of the unknown and powerful outsiders . 


Representations


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

Reinforced : Ian shown as logical , brave - typical traits for male characters of the time 

Subverted : The doctor though male is clearly is not the hero and is rude and heartless towards the teachers .  

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

Reinforced : Barbara shows the concern and empathy and is scared to go into the junkyard and tells Ian to go first .

Subverted : Susan is highly intelligent and knowledgeable then the adults - challenges the stereotypes about young girls being naive . 

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

Young people : Susan is shown advanced and curious . 

Old people : The doctor is eccentric and dismissive of authority .  

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?

There is no racial diversity in this episode which reflects the lack of representation typical of 1960s British television . However in the modern episodes have significantly improved in racial and ethnic diversity showing broader range of characters and stories . 

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

Social class shown through the contrast between the well-educated and the mysterious , alien doctor and Susan . Education is portrayed as a tool for understanding and control . The junkyard setting tension between appearances and and deeper truths , reflecting 1960s britians shifting class structures . 

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