1. Exploring Representations of Disability
Objectives:
ª To gain a better understanding of the ways in which
disability is represented.
ª To perform Textual Analysis on a Hollyoaks extract.
ª To practice writing textual analysis for the exam.
Disability can be a sensitive subject and some would say it's not an
appropriate topic for 'entertainment'. But increasingly the needs
of 'differently abled' people are being addressed by television and
why shouldn't they be represented in the programmes that they
watch? The question for us is HOW are they being represented?
4. Barnes (1992) argues that mass media representations of disability have generally been oppressive and
negative. People with disabilities are rarely presented as people with their own identities. Barnes notes
several common media representations of people with disabilities.
•In need of pity and charity – Barnes claims that this stereotype has grown in popularity in recent years
because of television appeals such as Children in Need.
•As victims – Barnes found that when people with disabilities are featured in television drama, they are
three times more likely than able-bodied characters to be killed off.
•As villains – people with disabilities are often portrayed as criminals or monsters, e.g. villains in James
Bond films often have a physical impairment.
•As super-cripples – Barnes notes that people with disabilities are often portrayed as having special
powers or as overcoming their impairment and poverty. In Hollywood films, the impaired male body is
often visually represented as a perfect physical specimen in a wheelchair. Ross notes that disability issues
have to be sensational, unexpected or heroic in order to be interpreted by journalists as newsworthy and
reported on.
•As a burden – television documentaries and news features often focus on carers rather than the people
with disabilities.
•As sexually abnormal – it is assumed by media representations that people with disabilities do not have
sexual feelings or that they are sexually degenerate.
•As incapable of participating fully in community life – Barnes calls this the stereotype of omission and
notes that people with disabilities are rarely shown as integral and productive members of the community
such as students, teachers or parents.
•As ordinary or normal – Barnes argues that the media rarely portray people with disabilities as normal
people who just happen to have a disability. They consequently fail to reflect the real, everyday experience
of disability
5. Physically disabled/disfigured - often shown as outsiders,
unable to do normal things
Mentally disabled - often shown as strange, odd, childlike,
outsiders
Able bodied/minded - often shown as 'normal'/'ideal'
What's the power structure?
What's the dominant ideology?
Where's the binary opposition?
6.
7. Cinematography
•Lots of close-ups of Spencer looking vulnerable - makes the audience
sympathise
•High angle shots of Spencer - makes him seem small, inferior/weak
•Low angle shots of Warren - makes him seem big, superior/more powerful
•Two shot of policaman shows him leaving his work to check on Spencer - he
needs looking after
14. Essay Writing - What FUN!
Each group must prepare a paragraph on their area of
analysis, of between 200-250 words, which would
form part of a Textual Analysis essay on this extract.
Remember to use appropriate terminology and try
not to waffle. Introductions and flowery language are
not required, you will have a limited time in the exam
to show your analytical skills and need to be concise.
When you have finished your
section you should email it to:
whittakerl@welling.bexley.sch.uk
