Essay

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

In the first episode of Stranger Things, we are introduced to a multitude of social groups that the audience can relate to. The social groups found in the series include: American cops, teenagers and government officials and are all stereotyped in the American culture in which they are based in.

Firstly, we have a major change in representation with the Government officials. At the start of the episode the audience is falsely introduced to 'social services' that will come to Benny's diner and collect Eleven, a troubled, lost child. However, this representation is quickly changed when these people come to the diner and shoot Benny out of cold blood to get to Eleven. The audience is left confused regarding the situation and quite frankly saddened that Benny has been murdered. Benny was introduced as a kind, gentle man who took in Eleven and fed and gave her temporary shelter. The low-angle shots used when government officials storm into the diner create the representation of an in balance in power, like the officials are superior to anyone they come across. The negative representations the audience receive from these government bodies is an example of constructed realism as the audience understand straight away that they should fear these powerful figures.

Furthermore, another representation that is portrayed throughout the first episode of Stranger Things is that of teenagers. We see a group of nerdy male teenagers who follow a typical stereotype of young boys in an American culture. In private they enjoy fantasy board games for hours and hours, where they can escape into their own world, whilst at school, they enjoy science lessons but get bullied for their 'outcast' behaviour. The bullying scenes consist of medium/long shots and have the three main characters, Mike, Dustin and Lucas standing in a line whilst they are being picked on by two other boys. This scene is important as we focus on the three boys being bullied whilst the other kids just walk past and ignore it, just like today's society. So it can be said there is a representation amongst the bullying scenes of a stereotypical world where everyone just walks past the problems that other people have to face. This contrasts the boys, as they try and solve a major problem in the series that can have a devastating affect on the whole world.
Furthermore, another teenage representation we see is through Nancy Wheeler. She is initially portrayed as a sweet, innocent and smart student that sticks to the rules of not only school but society. However this representation quickly breaks down as she is introduced to Steve Harrington, a bad boy, sports hunk who whisks her away with his good looks and charm. Nancy then develops into a representation of a teenage girl who is being used for sex and her looks as she is peer pressured into things her conscience doesn't want to do, but proceeds to do it to boost her social popularity,