LFTVD representation Essay

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


In stranger things, social groups are represented through choice of editing, camera angles and media language. In episode 1, age is the main group represented. In the scene I analysed, Age is represented through the media language of Mikes basement. As the scene is introduced, the camera pans across the Dungeons and Dragons board, from the boys last game. This shows the childlike innocence and playful attitude of the boys, juxtaposing the serious tone and implications of Will’s disappearance. The music adds to the feeling of childlike wonder with the light minor keys evoking thoughts of fantasy games, such as the Dungeons and Dragons board seen. From this, we can see the boys represent Age and children through the media language of Mike’s basement. 

Age and maturity are also shown through the use of the walkie talkies from Mike and Lucas. The walkie talkies symbolise childhood and a playful attitude, like everything is a big game to them. This sense of a big game is also shown with the insistent use of the word ‘over’ when using the walkie talkies from Mike, like they’re playing a game and want to stay in character. This also plays up the stereotype of nerds from the boys, however a countertype of teenagers, with the boys being 13 at the time. The context of the conversation also evokes childhood and games, with the boys comparing the evens of Will’s disappearance with the failed attempt to kill the Demogorgon in D&D the night prior. However, this is juxtaposed with the maturity of the boys, eventually taking the law into their own hands and actively going to search for Will, seen after authority’s figures such as Chief Hopper and their parents have told them not to. 

Gender and powerful women are represented in the diner scene when Benny is killed. Benny is a stereotypical man, a large, bearded, rough looking however also being a countertype of men with his attitude to Eleven, showing he has a heart of gold. When the female ‘social worker’ arrives, she is the controlling force of the scene, with all the power over Benny, becoming a more powerful and stronger character than Benny, killing him, showing a countertype of women being daintier and weaker than men. She is also shown the have power over Benny as he leans down to speak to the woman, making himself seem smaller and the woman seem bigger, evoking power and control. Power is also evoked through the use of the music. As soon as the she kills Benny, the music become significantly louder, setting the pace for the ensuing chase, as well as showing how she is now in power and has control over the diner and, she hopes, Eleven. From this, we can see the female ‘social worker’ epitomises power and strength, showing a countertype to the womanly maternal image of woman we have seen up to this point in the episode.