Essay homework

What meanings are created in the sequence you have studied and what do they tell us about narrative, character development and genre?

-       There are parts in the stranger things extract that show a meaning of female empowerment. We see female empowerment throughout the episode through the use of camera angle, acting, dialogue and make up. We first see the biggest show of female empowerment when Joyce is in Hoppers police office demanding they search for her son. Joyce is presented to be powerful through the use of dialogue. Joyce uses very aggressive and to the point language when talking to the male police officer. Language such as “Look” shows us the Joyce is the person taking control of the conversation and telling Hopper where to look and what to do, she is the one in charge and giving demands in the conversation.  We also see Joyce questioning and challenging what Hopper says. When Joyce say’s “What about the other time” she is challenging hopper as he tries to close the conversation, BY challenging Hopper Joyce keeps the power in the conversation and keeps control of the exchange between the male police officer and mother in need.

We see even more examples of female empowerment later on in the episode towards the end when a Connie Frazer introduces herself to Benny. Once again, we see Benny try to take control and close the conversation however through the use of dialogue the female character takes control and stops the conversation from being closed so she can get what she wants. Connie says, “So, where is she?” this is a very direct and to the point line of dialogue and it shows that Connie isn’t bothered by Benny being in the way.

After showing power by taking control of the conversation we see another form of female empowerment when Connie shoots Benny without any hesitation. The use of acting empowers Connie to be aggressive and fearless as her facial expression is that of a calm woman. This challenges a lot of stereotypes usually associated with women and aggression. The use of editing as well was used to make a flash as the gun goes of showing that females can be just as loud and aggressive as men.

Within seconds of the first killing we see the young girl Eleven kill two Agents without any hesitation either. This rapid explosion of female aggression really shows how much the show is challenging female stereotypes commonly found in most forms of media.

Women are also portrayed as powerful through the use of make-up, Throughout the episode all the women we see are represented with little make up on. Commonly we see women in media dressed up with a face full of make up as they are playing the innocent pretty princess stereotype, Women stereotypically objectified for men so they are covered in make up so they can impress the male characters. There is an opposite representation in the stranger things episode as the women are caked in makeup and aren’t earing any revealing clothing. They are wearing minimal to zero make up and respectable covered outfits.

This portrayal of female empowerment directly challenges Van Zoonens theory of media patriarchy. Van Zoonen believes the media portrays women to be lesser than men and objectified in Media. This episode of stranger things shows women to be dominant to men and not objectified in any way. If it through the use of dialogue by taking control of a conversation our killing a man, woman are presented to be fearless, aggressive and strong characters.