Literature Review
Representation refers to the construction in any medium of aspects of reality such as people, places, objects, events, cultural identities, and other concepts. Such representation may be in speech or writing, as well as still or moving pictures. All types of media products re-present the 'real' world to us, they show us a version of reality, not reality itself.
The term media representation theory refers to how media texts are dealt with, for example, the key markers of identity, Class, Age, Gender and Ethnicity (the 'CAGE' of identity) - representation involves how identities are represented and/or rather constructed within the text but also how they are constructed in the processes of production and reception.
Media representations often use stereotypes as a cultural shorthand. Richard Dyer argues stereotypes are a way of reinforcing differences between people and representing these differences as natural. Dyer identifies four questions that should be taken into consideration when attempting to find representation, these questions being:
The term media representation theory refers to how media texts are dealt with, for example, the key markers of identity, Class, Age, Gender and Ethnicity (the 'CAGE' of identity) - representation involves how identities are represented and/or rather constructed within the text but also how they are constructed in the processes of production and reception.
Media representations often use stereotypes as a cultural shorthand. Richard Dyer argues stereotypes are a way of reinforcing differences between people and representing these differences as natural. Dyer identifies four questions that should be taken into consideration when attempting to find representation, these questions being:
- How is it re-presenting the world to us (through technical codes)?
- What does it suggest is typical and what is not?
- Who is speaking? for whom?
- What is represented to us? why?
Ideas about gender are produced and reflected in language O'Sullivan et al (1998) - gender inequalities in society, historically masculine power (patriarchy) exercised at the right of women's interests and rights. Martin Barker (1989) said that stereotypes are condemned for misrepresenting the 'real world' for example reinforcing the (false) stereotype that men should be masculine, this in modern-day society being hailed as the male gender should not have to perform to this 'role' that was assigned to them. Masculinity and femininity are socially constructed and reinforced representations that are commonly associated with male and female gender. However, Judith Butler argues that 'we all put on a gender performance' whether traditional or not. By choosing to be different about it, we might work to change gender norms and the binary understanding of masculinity and femininity.
David Gauntlett (2002) states that 'identities are not given but are constructed and negotiated', in my opinion, I agree with this as modern society doesn't subject certain people into categorised identities as through the years becoming more accepting of peoples identities, being gender or sexuality, therefore not subjecting them to a certain identity or stereotyping them, instead letting them develop their own identity. O'Sullivan et al (1998) details that a stereotype is a label that involves a process of categorisation and evaluation, we can call stereotypes shorthand to narratives because such simplistic representations define our understanding of media texts, for example, we know who is good and who is evil.
The way certain groups of people are represented in the media can have a huge social impact, for example, the negative way mental health can be portrayed in media can determine the way a sufferer is treated. The stigma around men's mental health and the taboo of them crying and revealing their vulnerable and emotional side needs to be eradicated and not be judged. Many people in today's society still expect men to act to their gender role, being masculine, however, why should this be, if equal rights are so sought after then surely we should be accepting of men and their mental health.
A key social constructionist theorist who applies to disability is Watsky. Watsky's theory of 'People automatically perceive disabilities to be something automatically visible or detectable from their conceptions of ''normal'' people' (Watsky, p.503) this applies to mental health significantly, due to this being an internal issue, people do not recognise this as a disability and look past it. This theory working extremely well in conjunction with the Joker and the portrayal of his mental health through the entirety of the film.
Reference
Hall, S. (1997). The Spectacle of the Other. London. Sage in association with the Open University. https://seminar580.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/hall-the-spectacle-of-the-other-pdf.pdf
Jeremy. (2009). Understanding Representation & Stereotyping. Edusitesmedia. https://media.edusites.co.uk/
Hammonda. (2012). Representation in your chosen media text. Slide Share. https://www.slideshare.net/allisonhammond/representation-in-your-chosen-media-text
David Gauntlett (2002) states that 'identities are not given but are constructed and negotiated', in my opinion, I agree with this as modern society doesn't subject certain people into categorised identities as through the years becoming more accepting of peoples identities, being gender or sexuality, therefore not subjecting them to a certain identity or stereotyping them, instead letting them develop their own identity. O'Sullivan et al (1998) details that a stereotype is a label that involves a process of categorisation and evaluation, we can call stereotypes shorthand to narratives because such simplistic representations define our understanding of media texts, for example, we know who is good and who is evil.
The way certain groups of people are represented in the media can have a huge social impact, for example, the negative way mental health can be portrayed in media can determine the way a sufferer is treated. The stigma around men's mental health and the taboo of them crying and revealing their vulnerable and emotional side needs to be eradicated and not be judged. Many people in today's society still expect men to act to their gender role, being masculine, however, why should this be, if equal rights are so sought after then surely we should be accepting of men and their mental health.
A key social constructionist theorist who applies to disability is Watsky. Watsky's theory of 'People automatically perceive disabilities to be something automatically visible or detectable from their conceptions of ''normal'' people' (Watsky, p.503) this applies to mental health significantly, due to this being an internal issue, people do not recognise this as a disability and look past it. This theory working extremely well in conjunction with the Joker and the portrayal of his mental health through the entirety of the film.
Reference
Hall, S. (1997). The Spectacle of the Other. London. Sage in association with the Open University. https://seminar580.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/hall-the-spectacle-of-the-other-pdf.pdf
Jeremy. (2009). Understanding Representation & Stereotyping. Edusitesmedia. https://media.edusites.co.uk/
Hammonda. (2012). Representation in your chosen media text. Slide Share. https://www.slideshare.net/allisonhammond/representation-in-your-chosen-media-text
Big Think. (2011). Judith Butler: Your Behaviour Creates Your Gender. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo7o2LYATDc
Gauntlett, D. (2002). Media, Gender and Identity. Routledge. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1fbe/dda1bfb55e1ee7c880d8cbddd588b02f712d.pdf
Gauntlett, D. (2002). Media, Gender and Identity. Routledge. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1fbe/dda1bfb55e1ee7c880d8cbddd588b02f712d.pdf
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