Understanding Representations

Be introduced to ideas around representationBe able to define representation

Be able to apply representations to horror movies

Write down four ideas, words, or images about

each place• Images of Africa

• Images of Scotland

• Images of Pakistan

• Images of Spain

• Images of USA

Write down four ideas that you think people who have not been to Hong Kong would say about each of the

following aspects:

• Cantonese People

• Hong Kong weather

• Hong Kong lifestyle

Key Question: How do the representations challenge or

reinforce dominant conventions?

Dictionary describes representation as:

• To represent something is to describe, or depict it, to call it up in the mind by description or portrayal.

• To represent also means to symbolise, stand for, be a substitute for- e.g. The cross symbolises suffering and the crucifixion of Christ.

Representation is concerned with the way that people, ideas and events are presented to us.

This could be representation in magazines, news, soap operas, films and so on.

It may include representation of People, Places, Events.

• The media will represent people, places and situations to us

• For example, the people in How I Met your Mother are representing certain groups of people.

• The media rely on the audience understanding these representations and accepting them

RepresentaRepresentationtion

EducationEducation GenderGender Religious Religious BeliefsBeliefs

Values and Values and AttitudesAttitudes

Peer Peer PressurePressure

Political Political BeliefsBeliefs

Nationality/ Nationality/ Place of Place of OriginOrigin

AgeAge

ClassClass

SexualitySexuality

Representation & the Media

Key Questions:• What is being represented?• How is it being represented? Using what

codes? Within what genre?• How is the representation made to seem

‘true’, ‘common sense’ or ‘natural’?• Are there any notable absences?• Whose representation is it? Whose

interest does it reflect? How do you know?

• At whom is this representation targeted

Representations in Asian Vs Hollywood Remakes

The Tale of Two Sisters Vs The Uninvited

Feedback

• How are the representations mainstream or alternative?

• How can we describe the representation based on: gender, race, national identity, age?

• Why are the representations so different?