Representation Theories

Lauren Murray

Male Gaze - Laura Mulvey

Talks about the representation of male & female characters

Mulvey suggests that female characters tend to be displayed for the visual pleasure of male characters and audience members.

Females are coded as the ‘object’ of gaze within media texts and are represented in a sexual way.

• Men = Look (active) • Women = Looked at (passive)

SummaryMulveys theory suggests that female

characters only appear on the television for male pleasure.

They are coded as the ‘object’.

Key pointsThe women are portrayed as attractive and thin. If they do not have such traits they are not used for the male gazed, and are seen

as unattractive. The men are of the active audience

(dominant); whereas the females are passive.

Example of how it applies to TV DramaEx on the Beach – Only pretty, thin young

girls appear on the programme.

Hyppereality - Baudrillard

Representations no longer refer to ‘real’ things. The representation has become more real to us than reality, and has actually replaced it. This means that images are now ‘hyperreal’ in that they bare no relationship to the real

E.g. An image of a pop star shows their celebrity image, not their reality

This theory can also be applied to texts that claim to be real e.g. Documentaries, news

Stereotypes can be used to enhance realism

SummaryRepresentations of things has become more

real to use than reality. Images are now ‘hyperreal’ meaning they have no relation

to the real world.

Key PointsStereotypes can be used to enhance

realism. Can be applied to texts that claim to be real.

Example how it applies to TV DramaAmy Winehouse - She was perceived in the media as completely different to what she

turned out to be like. TOWIE – This claims to be a documentary;

however the show is scripted and therefore not real.

Stereotypes legitimise inequality - Dyer

Stereotypes perform a number of functions in media representations. Dyer argues that the use of stereotypes in the media reinforces the idea that there are big differences between different types of people‘How we are seen determines how we are treated. How we treat others is determined by how we see them. How we see them comes from representation’

This form of stereotyping, as Richard Dyer would argue is to legitimise(support) inequality

Links to Hyperrealism: Most representations conform to some form of stereotype and are exaggerated or hyper real for entertainment values.

Summary Representations in the media are formed by stereotypes presented. Dyer believes that

the use of stereotypes in the media has reinforced the idea that there are big differences between different people.

Key PointsThis form of serotyping is known as

legitimise inequality, according to Richard Dyer. Links to hyperrealism.

Dominant Ideology - Hall

Stuart Hall – dominant, oppositional and negotiated readings of representation

Hall was concerned with media power, including how it propagates social values.

He believes that the mass media are the ones that create and define the problems and issues of public concern and segregate society

Dominant ideology - a set of beliefs that are widely accepted as being the most normal, or the most accurate.

For example, the dominant ideology of men is that they are strong, brave and work to provide money for their families.

SummaryConcerned about the power that the media

carries. He believes that the mass media cause the problems and issues of public

concern and separating society.

Key pointsDominant Ideology = the beliefs that are said to be the most normal and accurate.

For example, the dominant ideology of men is that they are strong, brave and

provide money for their families.Also the dominant ideology of women is

that they are the weaker sex, the damsel in distress and stays at home to look after the

children.

Hegenomy - Gramsci

A way of using representations to control other people.

Hegemony aims to ensure the majority support the rule of the minority (even though the rule of that minority – the elite – is not in the interests of the majority).

Represents all groups apart from the elite as unfit or unsuitable to hold and wield legitimate power. Represents the elite as the only group capable of ensuring social peace, prosperity, justice, etc.

Any group portrayed as ‘outside the boundaries of normal society’ (i.e. as other) are being represented as fearful so that the majority will turn to the elite for protection.

Consider; ‘hoodies’, paedophiles, criminals, ‘chavs’, foreigners, immigrants

My notesThere is a hierarchy which states that the majority (lower class) support the rule of

the minority (upper class) as they have the control, power and money.

Represents those who are not part of the elite group as unfit or unsuitable to hold

power. The elite are the only capable group with ensure social peace, prosperity and

justice ect.

Binary opposites & dominant/subordinate goups – Levi Strauss

Two contrasting characters or scenes that are seen in one show, that are clearly meant to be total opposites. For example there may be a sweet innocent girl who is scared and weak, paired against an evil powerful man. They would be binary opposite characters. Binary opposites could be concepts such as good/evil, light/dark, male/female, old/young

Representation of dominant/subordinate groups

SummaryTwo complete opposite characters or

scenes appear together in one show. Known as binary opposites.

Key pointsEG: Good and evil, light and dark, male and

female and old and young.