Reflect and perfect - winter holiday pack

Task 2

How do the representations of sexualities reflect the historical, contemporary, social and cultural contexts?

In the set text 'cuffs', the view of homosexuality differed within society. Gay marriage was legalised in 2013, this is reflected in 'cuffs' because the main character Jake is openly gay. When Jake tells Ryan he is gay there is no reaction towards that implying a dominant represantion as it is accepted by society as a whole. 

In 'The Avengers' we are to assume that Steed and Peel are both heterosexual. This is shown when  Steed sexually hits Peel on the bum during their fencing game at the beginning. This reflects the historical context of the time because in the 1960's,  it was illegal to be openly gay and if you were you could be prosecuted as it was a mental illness. in the 2010's there is no warning about any homosexual acts before a programme in worry of losing viewers as its a common, normal thing to be now and socially accepted where as in the 1960's there would have been a warning in the fear of losing viewers.  

Task 3

How is feminism represented in 'The Avengers' and 'Cuffs'?

In the set text 'The Avengers', Peel is seen as Steeds professional equal. This is shown when Peel takes on all the russian spies in the underground bunker, whilst Steed becomes trapped with the other british spies. This reflects feminism at the time reinforcing and reflecting modern liberated femininity. 

Feminism was also represented through Peels clothing as she wore a tight leather cat suit which is seen as a sex symbol of the time. Before Peel wearing the type of clothes she did, women were very conservative in the 1960' and it wasn't up till Peel that women started changing their fashion to less conservative. 

Feminism was represented in 'Cuffs' through Jo Moffat who holds a high position of power in the police force. A high position of power shows the positive change in the roles that women were expected to take. 

Task 4

The comparison of characters in ‘The Avengers’ and ‘Cuffs’ differs a lot with in the cultures, races and ethnicities. In ‘Cuffs’ multiculturalism is shown through all the different ethnicities of the characters. For example Ryan one of the main characters is perceived as strong and in control, the fact he is a police officer challenges the stereotype of men from African descent as they are usually presented as the criminals, this would be seen as a counter type as it is a positive representation of Ryan but goes against the usual stereotype where as Jake his partner (other main character) is white and British. They are only two examples, there are many more. Modern times any race or culture are equal with equal opportunities. 

However in the 1960’s when ‘ The Avengers’ was made there was a lot of white privelidge so that’s why all the characters are white. Peel and Steed, main characters, in the series are white and through out the show many more characters were shown but also all who were white. Both characters were represented as strong, intelligent characters who do there job to the best they can. 

Task 5

5.In 'The Avengers' Steed and Peel are represented as each others equals.But Peel is also represented as a heroine and a sex symbol of the 60's whereas Steed is seen as chivalrous.But in the episode the male Russian spies seem to dominate and have higher power than the women.This conforms to the dominant representation of gender differences in the 1960's as females where treated negatively unequal to males.

However with Cuffs Victims were predominantly male, but genders were entirely equal.Jo, Jake and Ryan all have equal jobs in the police force and now in the time of 2010's females are able to maintain job with higher power and it is even possible to lead men ,which isn't unusual at all.This conforms to the dominant representation of gender differences and shows how society has changed since the 1960's based on how differently women are treated.