Stranger Things character representations

Representations

Write a paragraph on each of these areas

•Teenagers

The younger teenagers are the central point of Stranger Things, as we see them straight away in episode 1 playing Dudgeons and dragons. We know that they are the stereotypical ‘nerdy’ kids, and are not amongst the popular kids at school. They end up being the main protagonists of the show, as straight away in episode 1 they start looking for Will in the woods. We see that anyone in their group would do anything to protect each other, which is referenced when Mike says how Will stepped up and put himself at risk with the best interests of the ‘party’ in his mind. This links back to the D&D game when Will does the risky play to help the rest of the party.

Younger group of teenagers (12) – Dustin, Mike, Lucas, Will, older group around 17-19, Nancy, Jonathan, Steve.

Jonathan introverted, acts as a father figure to Will, does a lot of jobs in the house.

•Family life and relationships

We see Mike and Will’s family, not Lucas or Dustin’s. Shows the importance of the families. Hopper had a daughter who died of cancer. We first think he is lazy but then understand he has a complicated situation.       

•Mothers

Joyce is very anxious all the time, Mikes mother is protective of her children, tells Nancy to not stay out late after will goes missing.

•Absent fathers

Will’s father doesn’t live with his family, so his brother Jonathan is like the father figure of the house, with the household being quite frantic with Joyce being stressed out with work and looking after 2 sons.

Mike’s father is also absent as he is only there for the money, so Karen (his mother) helps him more emotionally.

•Police

Hopper is the chief, office environment is relaxed, nothing ever happens in Hawkins. Police seen as lazy.

•Government

Scientists (doing government work)

‘social services worker’ is a senior figure in the lab. – Connie Fraser – Mrs Clarke.

Dr Brenner is the boss of all the operations.

Supernatural

First scene in the lab, figure in front of Will as he falls of his bike, lights flashing, Eleven powers, Joyce’s phone breaking.

·      Small community life

·      Bullied/outsiders/underdog

Stranger Things Characters

Character	Information
Joyce Byers	Major or Minor Character? Major Stereotype?  Worried, panicked mother. Characteristics? Contribution to Narrative?  The main person who has faith in finding Will.
Jim Hopper	Major or Minor Character? Major  Stereotype? Typical lazy chief at first, slowly becomes more involved. Characteristics? Contribution to Narrative? Go-to person for figuring out what happened to Will – Joyce relies on him.
Mike Wheeler	Major or Minor Character? Major Stereotype? Characteristics? Contribution to Narrative?
Dustin Henderson	Major or Minor Character? Major Stereotype? Characteristics? Contribution to Narrative?
Lucas Sinclair	Major or Minor Character? Stereotype? Characteristics Contribution to Narrative?
Will Byers	Major or Minor Character? Stereotype? Characteristics? Brave – loads shotgun, uses fireball in D&D. Contribution to Narrative? Centre of the story as he goes missing.
Eleven	Major or Minor Character? Major Stereotype? Subverts as she is a powerful girl not scared of anything. Characteristics? Contribution to Narrative?
Jonathan Byers	Major or Minor Character? Major Stereotype? Characteristics? Introverted. Contribution to Narrative?
Nancy Wheeler	Major or Minor Character? Major Stereotype? Characteristics? Contribution to Narrative?
Steve Harrington	Major or Minor Character? Major Stereotype? Popular kid in school, however likes the girl who isn’t. Characteristics? Selfish, no empathy. Contribution to Narrative?
Barbara Holland	Major or Minor Character? Minor Stereotype? Characteristics? Contribution to Narrative?
Benny Hammond	Major or Minor Character? Minor Stereotype? Characteristics? Caring, wants to help El – gives her food, finds out more about her. Contribution to Narrative?
Mr Clarke	Major or Minor Character? Minor Stereotype? Nerdy science teacher. Characteristics? Good teacher, enthusiastic, wants to help the kids. Contribution to Narrative?
Connie Frazier (Social Worker)	Major or Minor Character? Minor Stereotype? Appears to be a caring social worker, subverts the role as she kills Benny. Characteristics? Contribution to Narrative?
The Scientists	Major or Minor Character? Minor Stereotype? Threatening scientists, the centre of the supernatural element. Characteristics? Contribution to Narrative?
Ted Wheeler	Major or Minor Character? Minor Stereotype? Lazy father. Characteristics? Contribution to Narrative?
Karen Wheeler	Major or Minor Character? Minor Stereotype? Conforms to stereotype of caring mother, does all the work around the house.  Characteristics? Contribution to Narrative?