Dr Who language and context

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: 

 

• Music - theme tune to Doctor Who. Very science-fiction - sets genre from beginning.

• Graphics on screen: title of show and episode. Simple text/font.  

• Slow, clunky camera movement (due to technology in 1960s). 

 Mise-en-scene:  

• Susan - first introduced dancing and dressed as 1960s teenager (costume). Seems to be both typical teenager and alien. Costume and hair typical of 1960s.

• Setting - inside the TARDIS. Central control console, white walls with circle design, TARDIS much bigger on inside than out.  

• Lighting - TARDIS is bright white (sci-fi connotation). Also contrasts with shadows outside (binary opposition).  

 Narrative and genre: 

• Opening title sequence like a rocket taking off - sci-fi genre and links to 1960s space race.

• Enigma codes: mystery of Susan’s home. French Revolution book - “I’ll have finished it” “That’s not right”... suggests time travel.

• Action code: some kind of conflict/threat linked to TARDIS. 

• Propp character types: Doctor presented as villain.

 

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

Todorov's Equilibrium: school is norm, end of school breaks the norm, new norm is being in the tardis

Propp's character theory:  doctor is the villain, Susan is main character, Barbara is sidekick

Barthes's enigma and action codes: cliff hanger after build up by music at the end

Levi-Strauss's binary opposition: doctor and ian arguing 

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

when they enter the tortes this is because its the only futuristic / Sci-Fi moment in the episode also give the idea that dr who might be evil and the teachers are utterly confused as its beyond they level of knowledge 

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

the genre is sci fi also when they enter the tortes it reinforce the genre and its the only futuristic / Sci-Fi moment in the episode

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

the unearthly child is filmed in black and white this is because in the 1960 the was no coloured shows also dr who was a angry grumpy character which is not traditional  

Representations

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

the stereotype of men being smarter than woman is constantly reinforced and subverted as Susan is shown as smarted than the teachers but later dr who is shown as the smartest 

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

That women are less intelligent than men, this shown by Susan not knowing the current currency system and Barbara being the sidekick not main leader like 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? 

young people as calm and peaceful

old people are shown as grumpy and angry  

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?

The entire cast is white

doctor is racist - says "the red Indian's savage mind was blown"

This is not surprising to me as there was a large amount of racism in the 60s.

Also I may be wrong but I think that this was the time of partition so there was a lot of racism specifically targeted at Indian people.

This has changed in more recent doctor who series as the current doctor who is a person of colour.

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

It is a very middle class school and the characters are all white.

teacher said "you are one of us" reinforced white middle class educated stereotypes.