Stranger Things scene-by-scene representation

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Stranger Things representation essay

How are the different social groups represented in the sequence you have analysed? What role does the use of media language, signs and signifiers have in constructing and presenting these representations as real?

The first scene of the sequence I analysed is set in Hawkins lab, and shows Dr Brenner for the first time. The scientists are first presented as being confident, as they change into their Hazmat suits and arm themselves. This would conform to the stereotype of government scientists being organised and efficient with what they are doing, while also having an element of mystery as we don’t know what is going on in the lab, similar to how we don’t know governmental operations in real life. The editing also helps to set the scene, as there are fast cuts as the scientists are changing into their suits, which shows the urgency of the situation. There is also a limited amount of dialogue from when the scientists get ready, until the point where they walk down to the level where the portal is. This shows the tense feeling amongst the scientists, and that they need to be fully concentrated for what could happen. It also makes the audience more aware of their surroundings, as that is the focus of the scene; what happened to the scientist earlier on in the episode on that level of the lab.

The next scene shows two new representations; Eleven, who appears to be a test subject from the lab, which we know from her shaved head and hospital gown, and Benny who is a typical man of the community who is respected and has loyal customers in his diner. At first, we see Benny as aggressive as he chases Eleven, but in reality he is just trying to defend his small business and its customers. These representations we see do conform to the usual stereotypes of what we would think a young girl being experimented on would look like and act like, being hungry and exhausted, and Benny being someone who the town respects as people go to his diner and he looks after them. The music shows the change in pace of the scene, as when Benny spots Eleven in the kitchen, the music speeds up and gets louder, and as soon as he catches her and starts talking to her to try and help, the music stops and it is just a normal conversation between two people.

Later on in this scene, we see Benny and Eleven have a conversation, Benny calling social services and Eleven using her powers for the first time. This is the first time we see Benny’s true personality, as he is trying to find out what happened to Eleven and who she is. The audience is shown that Eleven has been through a tough time by how fast she is eating the food. We then see even further into how kind Benny is, as he calls social services to look after Eleven. We wouldn’t expect Benny to have these character traits by the way he looks, as he is a large man with a big beard, which would normally give of a menacing character, but we are shown how he is a truly kind person. Therefore, although Benny’s personality conforms to the usual local diner/café owner, we wouldn’t have thought he would be like that from his appearance or from how we see him angrily chasing and grabbing Eleven at first.

Towards the end of this scene, we see Eleven use her powers for the first time when stopping the fan from moving. It is made obvious that she has supernatural powers by her menacing facial expression as she uses her powers, and then by the magnetic like sound effect when the fan stops moving. This is an interesting way to introduce the supernatural element of the show, as we don’t know much about Eleven, so it adds to the mystery and uniqueness of the story. This revelation that Eleven has powers also changes the view on her character from the start of the scene, as we originally felt sympathetic towards her, but by the end of the scene we question whether she has been experimented on or abused, as she appears to be powerful, so maybe she is the one who we should be worried about, not worried for.

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?