'Feminism is the Dominant Ideology in British Soaps'. - case study of Eastenders.

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UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN

MEDIA PRODUCTION

'Feminism is the Dominant

Ideology in British Soaps'

Author: Paul Cook

Case Study: EASTENDERS

Broadcast on BBC1 -

In the episode examined, there were no less than 42 scene changes. Although there were only 4 different storylines happening, the Director chose to stimulate audience interest in the plots by keeping each scene short - in fact over the 27 minutes of viewing time that is an average scene time of only 40 seconds each. However, in the 7 minutes spent on each storyline, how did the writers choose to represent the so called ordinary, average people they are supposed to be writing about?

Forget the day to day plot developments in this and every other soap opera on television and consider instead the

* representations of people and culture and the

* ideologies expressed by the producers within the programme.

* How realistic is their interpretation of community in Britain today?

* Are the individual characters a fair representation of you and me, your parents, your friends, your neighbours? and

* Do the writers give a fair view on society's attitudes to race, class and gender?
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There is little doubt that they write, on one hand, for the ratings. Plots need sensationalism through emotional issues, family and friends relationships and trendy issues of the day. But..

On the other hand, do they have a sub plot? Are writers subversively indoctrinating audiences with their own political and ideological ideas?

* Quote: ..Soap....as emphasizing traditional associations between women and emotions is a significant link to the notion that soap operas are primarily a woman's genre [Geraghty 2000]

Christine Geraghty is a highly regarded academic writer and author of books on women's issues and ...

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