Easy to Understand Guide to Stranger Things and Representation

Introduction

• Focus on representation within "Stranger Things".
• Useful for OCR A Level Media Studies.
• "Stranger Things" is a current set TV drama on the specification.

Representation of Women

• Joyce:
  • Maternal, protective mother searching for her son.
  • Unconventional strength; doesn't give up despite disbelief from others.
  • Sometimes seen as mentally unstable, implying emotional representation.
• Florence:
  • Police secretary, frustrated, messages ignored by police.
  • Represents women in underappreciated roles.
• Mrs. Wheeler:
  • Stereotypical housewife; stays home, cooks, annoyed with disrespectful husband.
• Eleven:
  • Stereotypical victim; young, held captive, tortured.
  • Also, has supernatural powers, challenging stereotypes.
  • Unconventional look with a shaved head.
• Nancy:
  • Portrayed as a "princess"; beautiful, desired, virginity prized.
  • Challenges stereotypes by being a science genius.
• Mixed representations of women, both reinforcing and challenging stereotypes.

Representation of Men

• Hopper:
  • Chief of police, drinks beer, lazy, disrespectful.
  • Stereotypical representation of men in power.
• Other men shown in high-status roles reflecting 1980s America.
• Men as antagonists: Evil corporation at Hawkins Power.
• Men as absent fathers; stereotypical portrayal.
• Boys:
  • Immature, playful, emotional, protective of friends.
  • Some representations challenge typical masculinity.
• Unconventional representation: Fearful scientist in the opening scene.

Ethnic Representation

• Diverse cast with black and white characters.
• Lucas:
  • Integrated into community; positive portrayal.
  • Reflects modern attitude towards race.
• White males often seen as antagonistic.

Representation of Youth

• Children as protagonists, heroic, defy adults.
• Challenge stereotypes of vulnerability and weakness.
• Dustin:
  • Has a medical condition; represents disability.
  • Positive integration into friendship group.
  • Also serves as the comic relief, a conventional portrayal.

Representation of Reality

• Strong 1980s realism with intertextual references.
• Detailed setting and iconography create verisimilitude.
• Realism balances the sci-fi elements, making them more believable.

Audience Reception

• Preferred reading: nostalgic enjoyment.
• Negotiated/oppositional readings:
  • Frustration with some representations (e.g., Nancy's portrayal, lack of diversity).
  • Some audiences may find elements sexist.

Conclusion

• Mixed and complex representations across gender, ethnicity, and age.
• Check channel for more educational content and leave comments for additional topics.