1. Gender Representation
Sherlock Holmes Meets Irene Adler -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1hcFQzeq_Q
‘Sherlock’ is a BBC crime drama series which revolves around the
adventures of Sherlock Holmes. There is a scene in the first episode of
the second series (titled ‘A Scandal in Belgravia’) in which genderis
represented in a variety of ways. The scene depicts Sherlock confronting
Irene Adler, a female character.
Throughout this scene,the male characters (Sherlock and Dr. Watson)
are both portrayed as light-hearted, thoughtful, and somewhat caring as
opposed to the commonstereotypesassociated with males within the
media e.g. aggressiveness.This is made obvious by the dialogue used;
the characters use phrases such as ‘please’ and ‘I’m so sorry’, thus
creating the impressionthat men are polite. Both Sherlock and Dr.
Watson are also shown to speak in calm and gentle tones; this shows
that the characters are displaying little emotionwhich does well to
reinforce the assumption that men ‘should not be serious or emotional’
(The ‘Joker’) and also helps to convey the fact that both men are neither
worried or distressed despite the nature of the events taking place within
the episode (compromising images and information are apparently in the
possessionof Irene Adler and Sherlock attempts to keep this information
out of enemy hands).
The only female character in this scene (Irene Adler) is portrayed as a
sophisticated person,mainly due to the manner in which she speaks.
She does not hesitate i.e. pause as she is speaking, therefore creating
the impressionthat she is confidentas opposed to some of the
stereotypes of women in the media, most notably the assumption that
women are desperate and ‘fussy’. The tone of her voice does well to
imply that Irene is intelligent and this is also a commonstereotype
associated with females.
Differentforms of lighting are also used in this scene.High-key lighting is
used to ensure that bright tones are the predominating elements,thus
creating a somewhat positive atmosphere in relation to the setting. The
use of high-key lighting could imply a strong sense of calmness; there is
no hostility shown betweenthe three characters who are fairly polite to
2. one another throughout the scene.At 1:24 in the video, high-key lighting
is used in regard to a close-up shot of Irene. The use of high-key lighting
could do well to imply that she is a positive character rather than a villain
i.e. she has a good side. In relation to the male characters, low-key
lighting is used which results in dark tones becoming the predominating
elements.This does well to provide a somewhat grim feel and also
implies that the male characters have beenthrough a lot. This reflects
the fact that males tend to be hardworking, which is a common
stereotype associated with males in films.
During this scene, many differenttypes of camerawork are used in order
to ensure the film maintains a continuous flow of action and enhance the
quality of the shots, thus keeping the viewer intrigued. For example, the
use of close-up shots allows the filmmakers to communicate the
emotions of the characters and also helps to establish the fact that the
characters in this scene are calm. The close-up shot of Irene at 1:24
provides strong focus on her facial features and helps to create
meaning. The expressionon the character’s face implies that she has a
cunning personality. Therefore,this goes against the stereotypical
assumption that women are more likely to be represented as victims
within films. Also,the usage of long shots and medium shots allows the
filmmakers to establish the characters in relation to their settings. The
camera angles are also used in a careful manner in order to avoid
exposing the female character’s private areas (she was depicted in the
nude for the majority of the scene).
To enhance the quality of the scene,differentediting techniques were
also employed e.g. accelerated/deceleratedmotion, non-diegetic sound
and freeze-frame.The use of the ‘freeze-frame’technique creates an
illusion of the action on-screencoming to a dead stop; the mostlikely
reason for the use of this technique could be to establish the fact that the
character is thinking. This is further established through the usage of text
(a series of questionmarks) which appears on-screen. The ‘freeze-
frame’ technique could also imply that Sherlock is fully focusedon Irene.
Therefore,lust is implied in relation to the main character and this could
also be a stereotype formales.
Males are also representedas unkempt i.e. untidy in this scene as
opposed to the female character. Both Sherlock and Dr. Watson are
3. shown to have rugged features and dark clothes,although they are
dressed ina formal manner. This does well to establish that men tend to
dress smartly as opposed to the stereotype which states that men are
more likely to dress casually.
