Learning objective

To understand how TV drama supports and challenges

stereotypes

Representation

• Gender • Age• Ethnicity• Sexuality• Class and status• Physical ability/disability• Regional identity

Stereotypes

A stereotype is created by using a set of general characteristics to describe a group of people,

usually in a negative way, based on assumptions rather than fact.

Levi-Strauss and Binary Oppositions

Levi-Strauss & Binary Oppositions• Levi-Strauss argued that a structure of

narratives was a dependence on binary oppositions

• A conflict between two qualities or terms• These binary oppositions can form the basis of

narratives• E.g. Young ↔ Old, Male ↔ Female

Levi-Strauss and Binary Oppositions

• For example:

• Gender• Narratives can be organised through

binary oppositions of gender stereotypes

Levi-Strauss and Binary Oppositions

Gender Stereotypes: Masculine• Professional• Strong• Rational• Competitive• Independent• Aggressive• Ruthless• Ambitious

Levi-Strauss and Binary Oppositions

Gender Stereotypes: Feminine• Domesticated• Weak• Emotional• Co-operative• Communal• Passive• Sensitive• Supportive

Look at the screen shots. How does the representation of a particular social group

conform to or subvert the stereotype ?