Close Textual Analysis
I've chosen an extract which is part of the third episode because within merely 5 minutes it explores the representation of both men and women which conform and subvert stereotypes..some characterisation at this point in the drama series however cannot simply be pigeonholed as by the third episode the characters are fully rounded inidividuals.
"Life isn't all ha ha hee hee"... describes the scene best when Chila (the sweet fantasist) walks out of her house with her baby in the pram as the voiceover of her says "trying to be an indian single mother..how scary is that?" This clearly shows that sinlge parenthood is not part of indian culture and is certainly not the norm. Nevertheless, Chila appears headstrong accepting the cirumstances and failings of her marriage therefore having underlying values of liberation and a consequence of Feminism.
As she goes to the post office to collect some forms a shot-reverse-shot shows a couple of traditional Indian women behind her refusing to acknowledge her as she has left her husband. When she politely speaks to the woman at the counter.. she writes on a piece of paper "i know Deepak's (Chila's husband) mother-stop shaming both families and take him back." Chila is furious and retaliates venomously saying 'gin and fags are far too expensive these days" and also significantly says how when a husband sleeps with your best friend "somehow it's always their fault!" This epitomises much behaviour from the media whereas the woman in any situation is quick to be labelled as the "whore" whereas the immoral actions of a man is totally disregarded and Chila represents this viewpoint. Many audiences regardless of their race and ethnicity will be able to relate to this. Furthermore, Chila at first exemplifies the typical Asian fantasist who prioritises marriage and love opposed to a high-flying career but by the third episode she was "seeing it all for the first time." Therefore her character cannot be pigeonholed, but can be said to represent Asians accurately as we live in a Post modern society where everything is relative.
The media language of this scene also subverts general assumptions of a woman and more specifically an Asian women. As her voiceover says " i learnt more in those 3 months than i did at 10 years of school." The voiceover is accompanied with Chila on a stool with a torch fixing the fuse. Women are not typically associated to DIY and definetly not to Chila who has only ever dreamt of happy family life. Moreover, we see Chila from a low angle inclining the audience to extol her as a reformed well-rounded person. Here she has rejected patriachal views and comes across in a more Feminist light.
Throughout this scene we see many subversions of the characters where we may have assumed their personalities at the outset of the drama series. We are able to empathise with them and therefore this scene can be seen as part of the pluralist model..satisfying us with many representations of the characters therefore painting a realistic picture of British Asian life as rejecting some of the rigid cultural values is what happens in society today.
"Life isn't all ha ha hee hee"... describes the scene best when Chila (the sweet fantasist) walks out of her house with her baby in the pram as the voiceover of her says "trying to be an indian single mother..how scary is that?" This clearly shows that sinlge parenthood is not part of indian culture and is certainly not the norm. Nevertheless, Chila appears headstrong accepting the cirumstances and failings of her marriage therefore having underlying values of liberation and a consequence of Feminism.
As she goes to the post office to collect some forms a shot-reverse-shot shows a couple of traditional Indian women behind her refusing to acknowledge her as she has left her husband. When she politely speaks to the woman at the counter.. she writes on a piece of paper "i know Deepak's (Chila's husband) mother-stop shaming both families and take him back." Chila is furious and retaliates venomously saying 'gin and fags are far too expensive these days" and also significantly says how when a husband sleeps with your best friend "somehow it's always their fault!" This epitomises much behaviour from the media whereas the woman in any situation is quick to be labelled as the "whore" whereas the immoral actions of a man is totally disregarded and Chila represents this viewpoint. Many audiences regardless of their race and ethnicity will be able to relate to this. Furthermore, Chila at first exemplifies the typical Asian fantasist who prioritises marriage and love opposed to a high-flying career but by the third episode she was "seeing it all for the first time." Therefore her character cannot be pigeonholed, but can be said to represent Asians accurately as we live in a Post modern society where everything is relative.
The media language of this scene also subverts general assumptions of a woman and more specifically an Asian women. As her voiceover says " i learnt more in those 3 months than i did at 10 years of school." The voiceover is accompanied with Chila on a stool with a torch fixing the fuse. Women are not typically associated to DIY and definetly not to Chila who has only ever dreamt of happy family life. Moreover, we see Chila from a low angle inclining the audience to extol her as a reformed well-rounded person. Here she has rejected patriachal views and comes across in a more Feminist light.
Throughout this scene we see many subversions of the characters where we may have assumed their personalities at the outset of the drama series. We are able to empathise with them and therefore this scene can be seen as part of the pluralist model..satisfying us with many representations of the characters therefore painting a realistic picture of British Asian life as rejecting some of the rigid cultural values is what happens in society today.
posted by Pip at 10:48 AM
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