Class: Language and Representation

 1) Write an NCIS analysis for the episode - using notes from the screening in class. Make specific, detailed reference to moments in the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots and movement, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

Co-owner of a Lonely Heart

Narrative:

Relationship between April and Ram, shared heart between Corakinus and April, April goes to fight Corakinus 

Character:

• Corkinus
• Ram
• April
• Ms Quill 
• Charlie
• Tanya

Iconography:

Setting:

Shadow realm, school, classroom, bedroom, car, kitchen 

2) How does Todorov's theory of equilibrium apply to Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Try and use the expanded version of Todorov's theory: Equilibrium - Disruption - Recognition - Reparation - New equilibrium.

E - Shared heart between April and Corakinus 

D - April’s dad arrives and a bit of conflict occurs, flower petals shown 

R -  Headteacher talks about flower petals to Ms Quill

R - April jumps into portal to kill Corakinus 

NE - To be continued 

3) Applying Propp's character theory, what character roles do each of the main characters in Class fit into? Alternatively, you may wish to discuss how characters do not fit Propp's character types.

April- Princess/hero

Ram - False hero

Tanya- Helper

Ms Quill - Donor

Charlie - Hero

Corakinus- Villain 

4) What enigma and action codes (Barthes) can you find in Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Make specific, detailed reference to the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

Enigma:

The action codes you can find in Co-owner of a Lonely Heart is April sharing a heart with a Corakinus which makes the audience wonder if April will ever get her heart back.

Representations

1) How is gender represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Are gender stereotypes reinforced or subverted?

Gender in Class is represented to be non-stereotypical. This is because April is seen to be more stronger then all the other male characters. Also when April opened a portal to go kill Corakinus, Ram volunteered to join her but she refused. This shows that men always want to help but April reinforced that stereotype.

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?

Class challenges stereotypes of modern day teenagers. This is because the teenagers in Class are the protectors of their world and it is their responsibility to make sure nobody gets hurt, or nothing goes wrong. Therefore, it challenges stereotypes because teens are seen - by society, to be lazy and not want to do anything. 

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

Stereotypes are reinforced and subverted in Class. This is because Ram (Asian) plays for the football team in his school. Stereotypically speaking, Asian people are known to be really smart and always doing work but Ram subverts that stereotype by not knowing how to do work, which is why he asked Tanya (Black) to tutor him. Tanya and her mother reinforced stereotypes. This is because her mother is very strict on her at home and really pressures her to do work and restricts her from hanging with friends outside, or FaceTiming boys. This is normalized in POC’s households. Because of this, I assume, Tanya is very smart and jumped three years ahead to take her A-levels early.

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?

(meaning gender or who likes who?)

Sexuality in Class is represented to be more diverse. This is because we all assumed Charlie would like girls (April asking him out to Prom) but it turns out he’s into a boy in his class named Matteus. Matteus’s polish parents are deeply religious, so when he came out to them they had conflict and kicked him out which then he went on to live with Charlie.

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?

Disability is represented as a positive thing in class. Disabled people are under-represented in the media because they're different, and they apparently don't fit the "beauty standards" in society, which plays a major part in which they're under-represented.