Stranger Things Questions
Social Contexts of Stranger Things
In which country is the drama set?
USA, Indiana, Hawkins
In which country is the drama made?
America
What is the social identity of the people in the drama?
Suburban American families, Small town and White middle class (mainly)
Who makes the drama?
The Duffer brothers, 21 Laps Entertainment Monkey Massacre, Netflix
Are they a small independent organisation or a large multi-national / global conglomerate?
They are a small independent organisation, consisting of the two Duffer brothers. Netflix and 21 Laps entertainment Monkey Massacre are both large global organisations. Netflix is available in most countries (except: China, North Korea, Syria and Crimea.
How is the social identity of the country of production reflected in the drama?
The social identity of the country is shown through the use of the obvious classes between people (e.g. The Wheeler's vs The Byers). It also shows women carrying out stereotypical roles, which were the norm of the 80s.
What aspects of social and day to day life are reflected in the drama (being with families, going to school, legal and political systems, being religious etc.)?
The children go to school (Kids and teens), the men go to work and the majority of women stay at home to cook, clean, shop and look after younger children. An exception is Joyce Byers, who is an anti-stereotype.The Wheeler's have a family breakfast... all of the members of the family were sat around the table. Where as the Byers were not sitting down and the eldest son of Joyce was cooking for them.
How are these structures reflected in the drama – as usual or to be questioned?
The Byers are a representation of a 'nuclear family', as the Byers have no structure and the eldest son is also trying to support them. The Wheeler family is behaving as a typical family in the 80s.
How does the drama represent social changes?
How does the drama influence our own participation within the social structure (confirms it as the right thing to do or questions it?)
The drama influences our own participation, by both questioning it and also by recognising that it is the right thing to do. This shows that
Is there any social conflict apparent in the drama?
There is only the social conflict of the citizens and the secret government operation. When Mike, Dustin and Lucas are being bullied by the three older kids, it could be interpreted as a social conflict.
How does the drama represent social changes?
Through the use of the anti-stereotypes, the characters are able to change the way they represent themselves.
What do we see people doing in the drama?
How is the social identity of the country of production reflected in the drama?
The drama has had an obvious high budget, for example: the actors and mise en scene are realistic and therefore show a clear indication of research from the producers.
How are these structures reflected in the drama – as usual or to be questioned?
The destruction of the nuclear family and representation of Joyce and her family represents the lack of structure reflected in the drama. Will's disappearance is arguably a factor of Joyce's unavoidable neglect as she struggles to support her family as she works night shifts along with Will's brother working to support the family as the male figure. This social and political factor is questionable as Will is left alone at a young age. Another questionable structure is the close-knit relationship between Mr Clarke and Dustin, Lucas and Mike as they partake in extra-curricular activities with the radio as the teacher acts more as a friend or paternal figure.
The destruction of the nuclear family and representation of Joyce and her family represents the lack of structure reflected in the drama. Will's disappearance is arguably a factor of Joyce's unavoidable neglect as she struggles to support her family as she works night shifts along with Will's brother working to support the family as the male figure. This social and political factor is questionable as Will is left alone at a young age. Another questionable structure is the close-knit relationship between Mr Clarke and Dustin, Lucas and Mike as they partake in extra-curricular activities with the radio as the teacher acts more as a friend or paternal figure.
How does the drama influence our own participation within the social structure (confirms it as the right thing to do or questions it?)
Is there any social conflict apparent in the drama?
There is only a slight social conflict presented in the drama through two instances; Will's family and the two bullies at school. The lack of a nuclear family creates social conflict as Will does not appear to have a dad who is around and the family is therefore troubled for money. The school bullies cause social conflict through name calling and possible racism as they refer to Lucas as 'Shadow'.
There is only a slight social conflict presented in the drama through two instances; Will's family and the two bullies at school. The lack of a nuclear family creates social conflict as Will does not appear to have a dad who is around and the family is therefore troubled for money. The school bullies cause social conflict through name calling and possible racism as they refer to Lucas as 'Shadow'.
Social changes are barely represented in the first episode however from a feminist perspective the characters of Nancy and Joyce represent social changes as they go against stereotypes of the time. Nancy represents a strong willed character with a strong moral compass. Joyce represents a single mother who despite her struggles provides for her family.
How does the drama influence our own participation within the social structure (confirms it as the right thing to do or questions it?)
The drama influences our own participation, by both questioning it and also by recognising that it is the right thing to do. This shows that
Is there any social conflict apparent in the drama?
There is only the social conflict of the citizens and the secret government operation. When Mike, Dustin and Lucas are being bullied by the three older kids, it could be interpreted as a social conflict.
How does the drama represent social changes?
Through the use of the anti-stereotypes, the characters are able to change the way they represent themselves.
Cultural Contexts of Stranger Things
What do we see people doing in the drama?
We see the characters participating in activities that were the norm of the 80s for their gender. E.g. Karen Wheeler- cooking, cleaning, looking after children and Ted Wheeler- working and not interested in how the children are being raised.
What attitudes, values, habits, customs and traditions can we see them taking part in that identifies their culture (as American, Germans, Danes etc…)?
Some of the adults take part in smoking and drinking alcohol. (Joyce and Hopper). The children take part in playing board games and video games, which is a typical tradition for american teenage boys.
What do they wear?
Some of the characters wear the stereotyped colour of their gender (Karen Wheeler wearing pink and purple) however, Nancy and Joyce do not wear these colours, as Nancy wears blue and other colours associated with men and Joyce wears neutral colours that have no stereotyped significance to each of the genders.
How do they speak?
They all speak with an American accent and also use informal language with each other.
How do they spend their spare and recreational time?
The children spend time playing board games and video games. Nancy is seen as spending time talking on the phone with her friend and also later meeting up with a boy (whilst she is revising). The mothers spend times looking after children (Joyce works instead- as she is a single mother). The men are working and have no other commitments other than watching TV or drinking alcohol.
What do we see them listening to or watching?
TV was not a major theme in the drama however, Hopper was watching the news and Ted was trying to fix the TV.
What do they eat?
They all eat at home what the parents eat. Except in the first scene where the kids have a pizza box, which indicates that they had take-out pizza for dinner.
Where do they go out?
Joyce goes out to work and out to the police station. Hopper goes to work, home and to investigate the disappearance of Will Byers. The other kids go to Mikes house, school and out looking for Will. Karen is not seen going out. Nancy is only seen going out to school.
How do they interact with one another?
What values or beliefs are they seen to hold?
What intertextual references to other cultural products are there?
How do audiences consume and interact with products (either of the set drama itself or how we see them consuming media within the drama)?
How does the set product typify cultural trends and preferences of what audiences like to watch?
How do audiences consume and interact with the products? How have current cultural trends and uses of technology influenced this?
How does the viewer’s own cultural background or social identity affect the way in which they may respond to and interpret the drama?
How does the drama support or reinforce the cultural background of its target audience?
Historical Contexts of Stranger Things
When was the drama set?
The drama was set in 1983.
What significant events or issues happened politically, socially, culturally at that time? Write a list.
- January: Rubik’s Cube debuts at the International Toy Fair.
- April 24: U.S. rescue attempt to save hostages in Tehran fails.
- May 18: Mount St. Helens erupts.
- May 22: Pac-Man video game is released.
- June 1: Ted Turner establishes CNN.
- June 9: Richard Pryor sets himself on fire while freebasing cocaine.
- November 21: 83,000,000 viewers tune in to find out Who shot J.R.? on “Dallas”.
- December 8: John Lennon is murdered
- “9 to 5” starring Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin is released.
- January 12: “Dynasty” debuts.
- March 30: John Hinckley Jr. attempts to assassinate President Reagan.
- April 12: The Space Shuttle Columbia is launched.
- May 13: Mehmet Ali Agca attempts to assassinate Pope John Paul II.
- July 29: Prince Charles marries Lady Diana Spencer.
- December 28: Elizabeth Jordan Carr, the first U.S. IVF baby, is born.
- AIDS recognized by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
- MS-DOS released.
- The first IBM-PC released.
- April 2: Argentina invades the Falkland Islands.
- June 11: The movie “E.T.” released.
- September: Jane Fonda releases her “Workout” video.
- November 13: Vietnam War Memorial opens in Washington, D.C.
- Calvin Klein’s first underwear ad featuring Tom Hintnaus stops traffic in Times Square.
- 14-year old skateboarder Tony Hawk joins the Bones Brigade and turns professional.
- February 28: “M*A*S*H” ends after 251 episodes.
- March 23: President Reagan announces defence plan called Star Wars.
- April 18: U.S. Embassy in Beirut bombed.
- June 18: Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space.
- October 13: The first commercial cell phone call is made.
- Mario Bros. Game Debuts
- Return of the Jedi 1983's top grossing film, but also it's novelization was the year's top selling book.
Does the drama represent or refer to any historical events?
Political Contexts
Economic Contexts
- Pac man video game
- Rubik's cube
- E.T- intertextuality
Political Contexts
- What is the political context at the time in which the product is set or made (e.g. political leadership at the time, significant political events or issues)?
- Is there any political conflict evident in the drama?
- How does the drama reflect political debates and issues?
- Could the drama be seen to influence political debates and the way in which its viewers may think or feel about these political issues?
- How is political power seen to be used or achieved in the drama?
- Does the drama contribute to shaping ideas about politics and political power?
- How could the political climate in which the audience watch the drama affect their own response?
Economic Contexts
- How is the company that made the drama funded?
- What income revenues do they have?
- What is the budget for the drama?
- How does the owner(s) of the product use or develop processes of production, distribution and circulation?
- How successful is the company in comparison to others in the market? What profit have they made?
- What technological developments have there been that allows the current processes of production, distribution and circulation?
- What developments in technology may there be that could change processes of production, distribution and circulation?
- When and where is the drama set?
- What genre is the product?
- What is the political, social and cultural climate that the drama is set in?
- Are there any intertextual references to other media products, historical eras, and social identities?
- How are these represented in the drama?
- How accurate are these representations to the real event or issue?
- What viewpoint or ideological messages do they offer?
- How may the meanings constructed by the product be interpreted by different audiences?
- When and where was the set product produced?
- Who owns and distributes the set product?
- What other dramas do they produce?
- What was the budget for the set product?
- Do the dramas they produce offer similar representations?
- Are there any intertextual references in the first episode of the set product?
- How is the set product distributed? On what platforms?
- Is the product available globally? Which countries isn’t it available in and why is this?
- What circulation platforms are there? How is the product viewed and consumed?
- Who is the target audience? Which wider audiences might enjoy the product?
- How can audiences access and consume the set product?
- How was the drama received in different countries?
- How might their viewing contexts affect what they view and how they interact with the product?
- Which factors might affect the interpretation of meaning for different audiences of the same product?
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