Stranger Things - Character Representation Notes

Character Representation in Stranger Things

Media Language Analysis

  • Analyze how a character from Stranger Things is represented in the first episode using media language.
  • Consider visual codes, technical codes, audio codes, and narrative techniques.
Visual Codes:
  • Costume: What does the character’s clothing tell us about their personality, role, or background?
  • Hair/Makeup: Does their appearance signify anything? (e.g., Eleven’s shaved head as a symbol of her otherness)
  • Facial expressions and body language: What do the character’s gestures and expressions suggest?
  • Setting: Where is the character shown? How does the setting contribute to their representation?
Technical Codes:
  • Camera shots: Are close-ups, wide shots, or other framing techniques used to emphasize their emotions or relationships?
  • Lighting: How is the character lit? (e.g., Joyce is often shown in dim, chaotic lighting, reflecting her anxiety and grief.)
  • Editing: Are there any cuts or transitions that highlight the character’s role or perspective?
Audio Codes:
  • Dialogue: What does the character’s way of speaking reveal about them?
  • Sound effects: Are there specific sounds associated with the character (e.g., Eleven’s powers often accompanied by eerie sound effects)?
  • Music: Does the soundtrack during their scenes evoke certain emotions or ideas?
Narrative Techniques:
  • Role in the story: How is the character positioned within the narrative (e.g., protagonist, victim, outsider)?
  • Interactions: How do other characters treat them, and what does this reveal about their social position or relationships?
  • Themes: How does the character tie into the show’s broader themes (e.g., friendship, mystery, trauma)?

Representations of Eleven

  • Through the use of technical codes, Eleven is represented as both vulnerable and extraordinary. Camera work emphasizes her emotional state and isolation, while lighting and sound design reinforce the danger and mystery surrounding her. Editing techniques, such as flashbacks and pacing, provide glimpses into her traumatic past and keep the audience intrigued. These technical codes create a compelling portrayal of Eleven as a central figure in Stranger Things, balancing her fragility with her immense power.
Visual Codes:
  • Costume:
    • Eleven is first seen wearing a hospital gown, which immediately signals her vulnerability and suggests she has recently escaped from a clinical or experimental environment.
    • The gown lacks individuality or personal expression, emphasizing her status as someone who has been dehumanized or treated as an object of scientific study.
    • The non-gender-specific gown removes cues we rely on to assume gender.
  • Hair:
    • Eleven's shaved head is a striking visual marker that sets her apart from other characters, particularly the kids who have conventional hairstyles.
    • Her hair (or lack thereof) suggests her past as a test subject in a laboratory, stripping her of traditional markers of femininity and individuality.
  • Body Language:
    • Eleven's facial expressions are often wide-eyed and cautious, indicating fear, confusion, and an unfamiliarity with her surroundings.
    • She rarely smiles, which conveys a sense of trauma and emotional detachment.
    • Her body language is defensive and hesitant—she hunches her shoulders, moves tentatively, and frequently looks over her shoulder, showing she is on edge and accustomed to danger.
  • Setting:
    • Eleven is introduced in a dark, confined forest, which isolates her from the rest of society and creates an air of mystery.
    • The dim, shadowy lighting in this scene enhances the sense of danger surrounding her.
    • Later, she is shown in a brightly lit diner, contrasting her previous environment but still emphasizing her alienation as she interacts awkwardly with the diner owner.
    • This change in setting highlights her vulnerability and dependence on others for survival.
  • Personal Possessions:
    • Eleven's lack of personal possessions further underscores her detachment from normal life. She has no toys, bags, or items that signify a sense of belonging or identity.
    • The stolen food she consumes ravenously indicates her survival instincts and lack of access to basic necessities, reinforcing her portrayal as a fugitive or outsider.
Technical Codes:
  • Camera Work:
    • Close-ups of Eleven’s face emphasize her emotional state, such as fear, confusion, and vulnerability. For example, when she is in the woods or interacting with other characters, the camera lingers on her wide-eyed expressions and trembling lips, helping the audience empathize with her.
    • Occasionally, low-angle shots are used when Eleven exhibits her powers, such as when she fights off the diner workers or the agents. These shots make her appear momentarily powerful and intimidating, contrasting with her otherwise vulnerable persona.
    • When Eleven is fleeing through the woods, the use of handheld or tracking shots creates an urgent, chaotic feel, mirroring her fear and disorientation. This technique draws the audience into her tense situation.
  • Lighting:
    • Eleven’s early scenes, such as her escape from the lab and her time in the woods, use low-key lighting with deep shadows. This creates a dark, foreboding atmosphere, emphasizing the danger she faces and her mysterious origins.
    • Once Eleven finds temporary safety in the diner, the lighting becomes brighter and more neutral. This shift in lighting reflects a brief moment of warmth and comfort, contrasting with the harsh, cold lighting of the lab or the oppressive darkness of the woods.
    • However, the bright lighting also serves to expose her vulnerability, as she is still out of place and under threat.
    • When Eleven is shown using her powers, directional lighting often highlights her face, casting shadows across her features. This enhances the dramatic effect and draws attention to her supernatural abilities, visually separating her from the other characters.
Audio Codes:
  • Diegetic Sound:
    • The ambient sounds of the woods—rustling leaves, snapping twigs, and distant animal calls—enhance her isolation and vulnerability when she is first introduced.
    • In the diner, the clinking of silverware and the hum of a refrigerator create a sense of normalcy, contrasting with her unusual behavior.
  • Non-Diegetic Sound:
    • Eerie, atmospheric music often underscores Eleven’s scenes, heightening the tension and mystery surrounding her character. For instance, the synthesizer-heavy score swells during moments when she is in danger or using her powers, reinforcing her connection to the supernatural theme of the show.
  • Silence:
    • Strategic silence is used in moments of high tension, such as when Eleven is hiding or being pursued. This absence of sound builds suspense and puts the audience on edge.
Narrative Techniques:
  • The Mysterious Outsider/Enigma:
    • Eleven is introduced as a mysterious character with an unclear origin and purpose. She doesn’t speak much, is dressed in a hospital gown, and appears lost and frightened.
    • The audience has limited knowledge about her past, creating an enigma that drives curiosity. Who is she? Why is she on the run? What happened to her?
    • Eleven’s escape from the laboratory and her subsequent encounter with Mike, Lucas, and Dustin propels the narrative forward. Her introduction coincides with the disappearance of Will Byers, linking her directly to the central mystery of the show.
    • The audience senses that her story will be crucial to solving the larger puzzle.
  • Isolation from Society:
    • Eleven begins the story entirely alone, wandering through the woods and later taking refuge in the diner. Her lack of connection to anyone reinforces her vulnerability and alienation.
    • This isolation contrasts with the strong bonds between the other characters, making her stand out as an outsider.
    • Eleven’s encounter with Mike, Lucas, and Dustin at the end of the episode marks the beginning of her integration into the group. This budding relationship introduces themes of trust, friendship, and protection, as Mike quickly becomes her protector and advocate.
    • This connection humanizes her and brings out her vulnerability, while also adding depth to Mike’s character as a leader.
  • Vulnerability vs. Power:
    • Eleven embodies a duality that aligns with one of the show’s key themes—vulnerability versus strength. On one hand, she is a frightened child who has escaped a traumatic environment. On the other, she possesses extraordinary telekinetic powers that suggest she could play a pivotal role in defeating the supernatural forces at work.
    • Eleven’s shaved head, lack of social skills, and inability to communicate effectively make her "othered" in the narrative. This theme of alienation ties into broader societal concerns about how individuals who are different or marginalized are treated.
  • Enigmas Driving the Plot:
    • The narrative uses Eleven to create multiple enigmas that drive the plot forward. Questions like "Who is she?", "Why was she in the lab?", "What is the extent of her powers?", and "What connection does she have to the Upside Down?"