Class: Language and Representation blog tasks.

 

1) How is CLASS a hybrid (mix) of teenage drama and Science Fiction genre?
It is obviously a teen drama because the characters are...
and the narrative features issues such as...
It is obviously science fiction genre because there are props such as ...
There are settings such as...
There are characters such as Corakinus who is... and Charlie and Miss Quill who are...

It is a teen drama  because most of the main characters are young teenagers,its obviously science fiction genre because there are props such as futuristic laser guns to kill the shadow monsters.There are settings such as portals that take you to shadow world.There are characters such as charlie and miss quill who she is heroic because she takes care of charlie however she is only doing it because she has required to.

2) How does Todorov's theory of equilibrium apply to Co-owner of a Lonely Heart?
A reminder that the theory if equilibrium is that everything starts off 'normal' and this is called an 'equilibrium' (like when Tanya is helping Ram with his homework and Charlie is settling in as a new student and April is organising the prom) then there is some kind of DISRUPTION (or disequilibrium) which changes the characters and the storyline. This is the moment when the Shadow Kin invade Earth through the tear in the universe and enter the school. The 'New Equilibrium' is when new normal is achieved.   

Even though aliens came to earth they still carry on with their daily life such as going to school .The show changed when the shadow king got involved  with human and started to slowly change his surrounding and the characters such as April when he connected her heart to his and now share a heart and everything that happens to April happens to shadow king.e.g when the Aprils eye went orange in class and got controlled by shadow king and saying things she was not conscious of. 

3) Applying Propp's character theory, what character roles do each of the main characters in Class fit into? 
Consider who is the HERO and why (you may want to consider April, Charlie and Ram for this). How do they fit the stereotype of the hero? How do they not? Now do the same for villain but use Corakinus and Charlie or Miss Quill. 

In my opinion i think ram is the hero because he is presented as a "jock" because hes good at sports and athletic and bad at school we know this because he was on all with Tanya helping him with his homework. hes a hero because when the shadow monster killed his girlfriend he was fighting back and even when the shadow king cut his leg off he still went to help his friends eg when he hit the monster with a chair to help him this is conventional because of how he is represented in the show and his characteristics is also presented as brave.

4) What enigma and action codes (Barthes) can you find in Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? 
find three examples of each.

Ram sleeps with April.April is also presented as uncontrolled of her self because she is senseless of what shes doing e.g when she stands up for her mums and almost killing the dad when he showed up at the house then was getting taken over again by the shadow king

A reminder that enigma code means questions asked by the episode (e.g. think of the cliff hanger at the end) and action codes mean hints of future events e.g April and Ram sleep together so this suggests they will have a romantic relationship in future episodes / April's mum starts moving her feet suggesting she may learn to walk again. 

Representations

1) How is gender represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Are gender stereotypes reinforced or subverted? use the glossary to help you in your folders. 

Gender is presented as equal because both gender fight back when Shadow king attacks for example when when he came out the portal both girls and boys were fighting back for eg when Ram attacks the Shadow king with a chair and when April attacks her dad however April is not controlling her actions and unaware of what shes doing because she shares a heart with Shadow king.This is subversive because woman are usually presented as weak and unable to defend them self .  

2) How is age (e.g. teenagers; older people like teachers or parents) represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Does the show reinforce or challenge stereotypes about young people?

Age is presented as young teenagers as exploring and take more risks. On the other hand, parents are represented as typical and normal with not as much climax.Aprils mum is also presented as caring because she wants her to stay away for her dad because he is dangerous and put Aprils mum in a wheelchair. also when Ram and April get caught sleeping with each other Ram was able to change the subject quickly by bringing up a situation about Aprils dad this shows she cares about her well being more than her sleeping with Ram. Tanya's mother is also presented as caring and strict for eg when she walks in on Tanya and Ram on face time when she says "you are talking to a boy!"  

3) How is race and ethnicity represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Are  stereotypes reinforced or subverted?
 

Race and ethnic is presented as equal and diverse because it includes all ethnic backgrounds and races such as black,white,Asian. and stereotypes are not  reinforced.

4) How is sexuality represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? How does this reflect the BBC's remit to represent modern Britain? (Hint- we live in a diverse world and the fact that they explore different sexuality is indicative of real life)

Sexuality is diverse and also equal when charlie comes out as a gay how ever its not as diverse and positive because he is an alien and not understanding that hes gay and thinks its normal. 

5) How is disability represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Why are disabled people generally under-represented in the media and how does Class try to address this? Think of April's mum. Does she seem weak or strong?When?

Disability is embraced by the mother of April as strong and brave because even though she is in a wheel chair she is still controlling April and over powering.