Television: His Dark Materials - Language and Representation

 

Representations

 

1) How are women represented in His Dark Materials? Are gender stereotypes reinforced or subverted? Think about Lyra and Mrs Coulter here.

B 

Many characters in this episode of His Dark Materials subvert stereotypes. Lyra is a strong, independent female character who doesn't need or want help from anyone.

 

2) How are men and masculinity represented in His Dark Materials? Think about Will and Lee Scoresby here.

 

Will subverts male or masculine stereotypes. He is kind, welcoming and wants to help Lyra.Not all characters subvert stereotypes though - Lee Scoresby is in many ways a classic masculine man on a mission to help Lyra.

 

3) How is age (e.g. teenagers; older people) represented in His Dark Materials? Does the show reinforce or challenge stereotypes about young people? Think about Lyra and Will plus the abandoned children they meet. Also think about Mrs Coulter and other adults.

 

Most of the main characters in this series and episode are children and they are shown not to need adults or help from older people. In the “city in the sky” all adults died, which demonstrates they can live without adults.

 

4) How is race and ethnicity represented in His Dark Materials? Are stereotypes reinforced or subverted?

 

Teenagers / adults

 

5) How are politicians, religion and people with power represented? Think about how the Magisterium are shown in this episode.