Textual Analysis: Eastenders

There are many ways in which class is represented in eastenders, either through colloquialisms, coultural backgrounds, types of jobs and many types of Mise-en-scene. There also many positive and negative representations displayed. I have looked at one certain part of an episode of eastenders and seen many examples of these points.

Starting with the use of colloquialisms within the show, it is clear due to the excessive use of it, that we are looking at people of working class. During the scene in the bar, Peggy says to the other bar-man "you watch those three, they've been on the lash since last night." with the use of the word "lash" describing their excessive drinking. She also uses the phrase "sling it" as a way of telling people to get out. Although there is no trouble with using colloquialisms, we can portray this as negative on the community as is shows that the people could be not educated properly.

Choice of clothing also emphasizes to us the audience the portrayal of working class. The characters all dress casually showing the laid back attitude to everyday life as though they are content with the way they live. The uniforms for jobs also displays this in the kitchen argument scene.

There are very mediocre jobs on display within the show shown by Ricky and Samantha's conversation about working in the "Archers" to which Ricky is euphoric with getting the job as head mechanic. This can be seen very positive as Ricky shows genuine happiness here and emphasizes his need for earning a healthy living.

Within many areas of this clip, we can see negative portrayals of class, mainly within immediate families. first example of this, we see Stacey trying to reiterate her need to take care of a dog, but Charlie shows genuine concern as the head of the house, if it's a good idea for her to do so to which she dismisses this by saying "you don't think I can do it do you? no one trusts me [...]" which shows that there could be underlying problems which prompts her to say this. Second example is during the Argument between the Asian family with the mother accusing her husband of cheating. The oldest son is brought into the argument as the one who sparked it all claiming to have witnessed this. This displays a lack of trust and family unity.

Representation of Skins Posters

Characters

Character dress: The Characters in this poster are barely dressed at all. As they are all teens, and some are seen kissing, we get an idea that the shows about teen life and the troubles surrounding it such as sex and drug abuse. Another main character is used in the second image and is basically naked as he's in a bath tub.

Additional props: The addition of a bed adds to the idea of a "teens gone wild" theme which is evident through various actions within the poster. The bath tub in the second image lets us know even without watching the show that he may have some emotional problems.

Settings
Location architecture: The wallpaper is torn up which reflects to the audience that the characters may be under privileged. This is also reinforced by the fact that they are all crammed in one room and hardly dressed. The choice of a bath tub full of water in the second image is as if to say the boy is "drowning his sorrows".

Interior Design: The room is very deteriorated and lifeless. the only thing or person which seems to have an ounce of colour is the girl sitting on the bed. This may be because she is a main character within the series. The same boy which is seen in the first image who is also isolated is the main focus in the second image. He is in a run-down sort of environment not very different to the bed room set-up in the first image.

Colour: The colour expressed in both images has a melancholic feel to it. This emphasizes, especially with the main girl in the first image, the kind of show this may turn out to be. we can see that from this the show will be dramatic in many aspects, for example, every body besides the girl and boy sitting on the bed are indulging in romance whilst they sit separated. The second image on the other hand has the same colourless feel to it this time to help emphasize the boys depression in the image.

Lighting: The lighting Used Here is very low key to reflect the conflict of emotions expressed in the top image.The bottom one however also uses low key lighting but helps us sympathise with the boy and his isolation.

So as you can see, there are several things within these posters which emphasize the extremities of adolescence, with the lewd actions being expressed especially being a main factor in this. The environment is rather pale and lifeless and lets us know immediately that there are issues surrounding the characters. I believe that these images are inappropriate because if younger people see this they may think it's appropriate to emulate this.