Class: Language and Representation

1) Write an 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, editing, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

You can currently watch Class on BBC iPlayer here.

Our notes from class can be found on this Google document here (you'll also need your Greenford Google login to access this).

Co-owner of a Lonely Heart

Narrative: The previous episode is summarised, Corakinus tries to take his heart back from April. April finds out that she has become more powerful and can wield swords

Character: April has a lot of uncontrollable emotions and gets angry at her father easily. Her father is seen as powerless and weak as he is at the mercy of April. April's mum is very worried about her daughter but is also powerless. Ram is brave like a hero and tries to get April to stop being aggressive. Corakinus is an evil character who has no remorse and does anything to get his way (two of his allies were murdered because of him)

Iconography: Deadly petals, large swords

Setting: April's garden, the school and the shadow world

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. You can find reminder notes on all these narrative theories here - just scroll down to narrative.

Equilibrium -  Corakinus and April sharing a heart

Disruption - Aprils becomes enraged and starts attacking her dad

Recognition - April's dad tries to get her to stop

Reparation - April tries to resist Corakinus

New Equilibrium - April goes to the shadow world to kill Corakinus

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.

Hero(ine) - April wants to destroy Corakinus and the shadow kin, with Charlie and Miss Quill also resisting against the shadow kin

Princess - April needs to be saved from Corakinus and his heart

Villain - Corakinus is trying to defeat April and regain control of his heart

Donor - Miss Quill assists the battle against the shadow kin and also works with the headteacher

False hero - Ram tries to help but is unsuccessful 

Dispatcher - April's dad warns April's mum about April's swords and powers

Helper - Tanya helps share information

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.)

The petals multiplying and killing animals foreshadow that they will soon become a problem. The intense non digetic music in the scene outside April's home adds suspense and thrill. The jump cuts between April and the shadow world keep the viewer engaged. the tear open at the end of the episode imply a later confrontation in the show. Enigma codes are included such as whether the petals will be a threat later on, who the headteacher really is and what will happen when April is in the shadow world.

5) What examples of binary opposition (Levi-Strauss) can you find in Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? How do these create narrative or drama for the audience? You can find reminder notes on all these narrative theories here - just scroll down to narrative.

Young and old - April and her father, Charlie and Miss Quill

Appeals to both demographics and shows that people of different age groups are able to communicate and interact together

Powerful and powerless - April and her father, Corakinus and his assistants

Shows who has the power dynamic and dominance over each other

Representations

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

Gender types are subverted in class, for example April being more powerful and her father, and Ram having no choice but to follow April. They are also reinforced however, as April's mum is in a wheelchair (disabled/weak) and her disability was caused by a male character (April's father)

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?

Teenagers are shown to be stronger than adults (April being more powerful than her father). Stereotypes are also reinforced such as April and Ram's love and their tendency to do careless things (unprotected sex, Ram chasing after April with no second thought).

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

Ram and Tanya bring diversity to the characters and they also have very strong roles. Charlie's boyfriend is Eastern European and also gay which subverts stereotypes as Eastern European attitudes towards lgbt are usually negative.

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?

Charlie and his boyfriend are homosexual which represents values of pride and lgbt. They are surrounded by support and not judged because of their sexual orientation. April and Ram being a heterosexual couple brings a mix of sexuality to the show and means that most people watching the show can feel included.

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?

April's mum (who is disabled) is seen as a bossy character over her daughter, which makes her look powerful but she ends up becoming powerless when April confronts her father. Despite this, she still tries her best and Class adds her to the story to represent disabilities. In the media, disabled people are usually left out as they are unable to do a lot of activities without special help.