2. Every form of media is a representation of someone’s
concept of existence, codified into a series of signs and
symbols which can be read and identified by an audience.
Therefore media texts are re-presentation of reality.
Representation has dealt with particular social groups such
as focusing on women, ethnic minorities, age, gender,
sexuality and sub cultures. An example could be that all
people of Irish Gypsy decent are criminals.
REPRESENTATION
3. Branston and Stafford state that there are characteristics to representation such as:
A categorising and evaluation of the group being stereotyped.
Emphasise on specific features which are easily recognised by the audience for them to
draw the conclusion of the represented group.
The evaluation is often but not always a negative one.
Representation can be linked to horror films such as the representation of genre. This is
because women are represented as vulnerable and an easy target within horror films.
However the horror genre also allows this stereotypical view of women to be challenged,
because as the story progresses we can see how the woman can become stronger and
overcome the villain.
Horror and gender can also be linked to Laura Mulvey’s male gaze theory such as
‘Halloween’ where we see women through the male’s perception which can lead to the
stereotypical view of vulnerable.
REPRESENTATION AND
STEREOTYPES
