1960 was great a great decade for women when it came to equality. This is shown by Emma Peel, a leading female character on mainstream national television. She is one of the main characters however you can see there is still some way until pure equality is visible. An example of this is simple decisions made by Peel seem to be overturned by the leading male character. This is shown when Peel declines a drink for Steed to dismiss what she wants and orders for her anyway. This showed the audience that the male character is in control and the decision maker.
Peel however does come across, well educated, strong and financially stable. This is shown where she is fencing which is generally a sport played by the wealthy educated. However, during this scene, she is wearing tight leather clothing coming across as a sex symbol and something to look at.
There is no lacking in Steeds confidence and it is clear to the audience that Steed is in control. This was still a step forward for women however with displaying Peel with a very respectable job.
Mark 8 out of 15.
ReplyDeleteSound work so far which shows clear understanding of the text. Aim to include more evidence to support your conclusions about how Peel is represented: had you answered each of my bullet points in turn, your answers would be more thorough.
Responses may analyse the extract in terms of representation, for example:
ReplyDelete the inclusion of a strong female lead who uses her intelligence to solve the case challenges stereotypes of men being in control and holding all the power
the obvious sexualisation of Peel through her tight-fitting costume is a common stereotype of the genre
Peel’s need to be untied and saved by Steed supports more traditional gender stereotypes
Steed refers to Peel’s weight, as he unties her, which conforms to the gender stereotype that women should be concerned about their appearance and weight
Responses may analyse the extract in terms of media language, for example:
the mise-en-scène of Peel’s tight-fitting black cat-suit costume sexualises her for a male audience
Steed calls out to Peel with the line: ‘Mrs Peel?’ which is a sign of respect and suggests a time when women were referred to by their marital status rather than by their first name
the use of the set-piece fight sequence between two male characters is a convention of the genre
Responses may analyse the extract in terms of media industries, for example:
the programme is scheduled on primetime Saturday night television with little competition from other channels
the large budget allows for more sophisticated camerawork and a range of more interesting locations which would appeal to a wider television audience
post-watershed scheduling allows for under-currents of sexual tension between the male and female character
the post-watershed scheduling also allows for a more sexualised female character in Peel
Responses may analyse the extract in terms of media contexts, for example:
changing attitudes to gender representations through the portrayal of Emma Peel reflecting a time in which women were taking on more dominant roles in society and popular culture
undermining of the positive female role through the way that Emma Peel is sexually objectified and requires ‘saving’ by Steed