Homework - Social Class Analysis: Shannon Matthews vs Madeleine McCann
Find examples of language used in each of the pieces to describe the parents of both children. How does this language differ? What are the messages and values on social class? (10 marks)
The articles depict the parents of Madeleine McCann as heartbroken by the kidnap of their beloved daughter. This is suggested by the keyword "traumatised" which gives connotations of vulnerability and makes the reader feel sympathetic for their parents due to their current situation. Also, the keyword "clutching" in the sentence "clutching Madeleine's favourite Cuddle Cat Toy" highlights the sadness felt by the parents of the missing 3 year old.
On the other hand, the family of Shannon Matthews have been highlighted as apathetic. This is underlined by the family (and mother) who "asked for donations" from the Madeleine McCann fund. This suggests that the family of Shannon only cared about the money involved and not the Shannon's safety.
The difference in social class also demonstrates a divide in the language used for both articles, such as the parents of MadeleineMcCann being portrayed as positive and the mother of Shannon Matthews being perceived in a negative light.
Analyse the choice of pictures used in terms of framing, shot type and mise en scene.
Compare their representations of the social class of the two families? (10 marks)
In the picture of Kate McCann with Madeleine, Kate is shown to be a loving mother, holding Madeleine up and playing with her on a slide. The type of shot is a long shot which shows the bodies of both mother and daughter and was used due to the fact that the body language shown by both Kate and Madeleine shows them both happy and would present them in a positive light, because they are seen playing. The use of mise en scene is also used effectively, with the slide, which shows Madeleines youth, and how such a young child was taken which severely affected the family involved. Social class could be a factor, where the McCann's are portrayed as good parents, which can be highlighted by the picture of Madeleine & Kate McCann.
The McCann's, who have a higher social class compared to Karen Matthews, have been shown as very hurt and loving parents. The contrast in social class is also addressed, as the McCann's conversed with Gordon Brown, the chancellor at the time, which highlights that being in a higher social bracket can get you communications with others in higher places.
In the article about Shannon Matthews, there is a close up (shot) on both mother and daughter, in different frames, side by side, this highlights a contrast in both individuals, where the mothers face gives connotations of being miserable, and Shannon smiling in her picture, connoting innocence and happiness.
Also, this newspaper article is perceived as trying to make Karen Matthews as they highlight that she "has seven children to five fathers" which could make the reader think of Karen as irresponsible and not being able to keep a strong family bond together, underlining that she is a bad mother.
This also highlights the help both families received, as the McCann's received help from people of higher statuses while Karen Matthews received little help form people who have a high social status.
Hall notes that representation is "contested", in particular the representation of those with less power in society. He argues that news coverage can be hierarchal. To what extent is this evident from the two reading? Make reference to Hall's theory of representation in your answer (10 marks)
Hall conveys that news coverage can be hierarchal, which is clearly supported with this article, due to the fact that the father of Madeleine McCann is a consultant, which is a job which has a high status, and the article about the McCann's speaks of them in a positive light, even though the whereabouts of Madeleine is unknown, and the money being raised is being spent on travelling to countries to keep their daughter in the news, but nothing to do with the parents leaving their three children by themselves in a foreign country was ever brought up in the article. while Karen Matthews is depicted in a negative light, which is supported by the quote "Miss Matthews, who has seven children to five fathers" which has nothing to due with what was going on with her 'missing' daughter and is completely unconnected with anything to do with kidnappings.
What is the dominant(intended) meaning of The Daily Telegraph? How is the audience supposed to feel about the two families? Do you take negotiated or oppositional reading and if so, how/why? Make reference to reception theory in your answer (15 marks)
The dominant meaning of The Daily Telegraph is for the audience to have a preferred reading towards the McCann's. As for Karen Matthews, there is a clear oppositional reading where viewers ideological assumptions are rejected. In my opinion, I see the McCann's article as a dominant reading, since the daily telegraph intended to use Hall's reception theory, and an oppositional reading for Karen Matthews, due to the fact that the Shannon Matthew's article uses negative wording to depict Karen as negative.
The articles depict the parents of Madeleine McCann as heartbroken by the kidnap of their beloved daughter. This is suggested by the keyword "traumatised" which gives connotations of vulnerability and makes the reader feel sympathetic for their parents due to their current situation. Also, the keyword "clutching" in the sentence "clutching Madeleine's favourite Cuddle Cat Toy" highlights the sadness felt by the parents of the missing 3 year old.
On the other hand, the family of Shannon Matthews have been highlighted as apathetic. This is underlined by the family (and mother) who "asked for donations" from the Madeleine McCann fund. This suggests that the family of Shannon only cared about the money involved and not the Shannon's safety.
The difference in social class also demonstrates a divide in the language used for both articles, such as the parents of MadeleineMcCann being portrayed as positive and the mother of Shannon Matthews being perceived in a negative light.
Analyse the choice of pictures used in terms of framing, shot type and mise en scene.
Compare their representations of the social class of the two families? (10 marks)
In the picture of Kate McCann with Madeleine, Kate is shown to be a loving mother, holding Madeleine up and playing with her on a slide. The type of shot is a long shot which shows the bodies of both mother and daughter and was used due to the fact that the body language shown by both Kate and Madeleine shows them both happy and would present them in a positive light, because they are seen playing. The use of mise en scene is also used effectively, with the slide, which shows Madeleines youth, and how such a young child was taken which severely affected the family involved. Social class could be a factor, where the McCann's are portrayed as good parents, which can be highlighted by the picture of Madeleine & Kate McCann.
The McCann's, who have a higher social class compared to Karen Matthews, have been shown as very hurt and loving parents. The contrast in social class is also addressed, as the McCann's conversed with Gordon Brown, the chancellor at the time, which highlights that being in a higher social bracket can get you communications with others in higher places.
In the article about Shannon Matthews, there is a close up (shot) on both mother and daughter, in different frames, side by side, this highlights a contrast in both individuals, where the mothers face gives connotations of being miserable, and Shannon smiling in her picture, connoting innocence and happiness.
Also, this newspaper article is perceived as trying to make Karen Matthews as they highlight that she "has seven children to five fathers" which could make the reader think of Karen as irresponsible and not being able to keep a strong family bond together, underlining that she is a bad mother.
This also highlights the help both families received, as the McCann's received help from people of higher statuses while Karen Matthews received little help form people who have a high social status.
Hall notes that representation is "contested", in particular the representation of those with less power in society. He argues that news coverage can be hierarchal. To what extent is this evident from the two reading? Make reference to Hall's theory of representation in your answer (10 marks)
Hall conveys that news coverage can be hierarchal, which is clearly supported with this article, due to the fact that the father of Madeleine McCann is a consultant, which is a job which has a high status, and the article about the McCann's speaks of them in a positive light, even though the whereabouts of Madeleine is unknown, and the money being raised is being spent on travelling to countries to keep their daughter in the news, but nothing to do with the parents leaving their three children by themselves in a foreign country was ever brought up in the article. while Karen Matthews is depicted in a negative light, which is supported by the quote "Miss Matthews, who has seven children to five fathers" which has nothing to due with what was going on with her 'missing' daughter and is completely unconnected with anything to do with kidnappings.
What is the dominant(intended) meaning of The Daily Telegraph? How is the audience supposed to feel about the two families? Do you take negotiated or oppositional reading and if so, how/why? Make reference to reception theory in your answer (15 marks)
The dominant meaning of The Daily Telegraph is for the audience to have a preferred reading towards the McCann's. As for Karen Matthews, there is a clear oppositional reading where viewers ideological assumptions are rejected. In my opinion, I see the McCann's article as a dominant reading, since the daily telegraph intended to use Hall's reception theory, and an oppositional reading for Karen Matthews, due to the fact that the Shannon Matthew's article uses negative wording to depict Karen as negative.
On the whole these are good answers Kasim and you understand the contrasting representations well, drawing on a range of examples, and using media language correctly. Question 4 is rather brief / muddled however, and needs work. B- Vanessa
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