This document evaluates how different social groups are represented in a media product. It analyzes the representation of students/teenagers, the underclass, the middle class, scientists, and MI5 agents. For students/teenagers, the protagonist is presented as eager, moral, determined, and intelligent rather than lazy. The underclass character is depressed, drinks alcohol, and is reluctant to talk, conforming to stereotypes. The middle class psychologist gets the job done but is condescending. Scientists are shown as hardworking and organized. The MI5 agent is careless and in a rush, not conforming to spy stereotypes.
2. Students/Teenagers
Our films’ protagonist is a university science student
He is presented as someone eager to make a difference and has
a strong sense of morals; he puts himself at risk for the greater
good
He is also determined and hard-working as he doesn’t give up
despite having to take on a bigger force than himself (a
convention of the thriller genre)
He is quick-witted, intelligent and uses his initiative as he reads
the secret document despite the risk and lack of time. He is also
intelligent enough to test out his theory in the laboratory
This is an anti-stereotypical representation as students are often
associated with laziness, apathy and endless drinking!
3. Underclass
At the start of our sequence, we find the protagonist (white t-
shirt) years after the events of the film.
He looks depressed and void of enthusiasm.
He drinks alcohol; a dependence that he has picked up to fill the
empty spaces in his life and drown his sorrows.
He sits slumped over, highlighting his low position in society as
everyone looks down on him physically and metaphorically
He is reluctant to give up any information; demonstrating a lazy
and apathetic attitude
He has a record of paranoia
This is a stereotypical representation as the underclass
are often associated with unemployment,
alcohol and lacking in motivation
4. Middle Class
The psychologist (red tie) at the start of our sequence represents
this social class
He gets on with the job but doesn’t enjoy it
His condescending tone shows no respect for the other
character; he doesn’t believe this characters’ stories of
conspiracy
He sits straight-backed, contrasting to the other characters
slumped posture, which shows the power he has over this man
but also his higher social class; he also feels he is better than
this job
This character conforms to the stereotypical bureaucrat who
sees the patient as just another name on his desk, and adopts a
pessimistic attitude
5. Scientists
The student assumes the role of a scientist to test
his theory
He is presented as hard-working and diligent as
he works for a long period without stopping;
illustrated by the time-lapse.
He is also tidy and organised as he keeps his lab
coat hung on a hook and replaces it afterwards
This conforms to the stereotype as scientists are
often portrayed as focused and highly intelligent.
6. MI5 Agent
The man who leaves the top-secret file open represents this
group
He is presented as careless as he leaves the file open for our
protagonist to find
He is also in a rush, which is why he forgets to close his
computer down - showing how he also gets on with the job but
doesn’t really enjoy it
He also views himself as better than others – like the
psychologist - as he knocks into our protagonist, who has just
entered, without a word of apology
This is an anti-stereotypical representation as ‘spies’ are usually
portrayed as discreet, collected and thorough.
