Reflect and Perfect on Winter Holiday Homework

Task 2 - 10 marks

Before 1966  homosexual relations were illegal so men were not publicised as gay and women were not publicised as lesbian- only heterosexual relations were expected.
Thats why when 'The Avengers' which came out in 1960s showcased a man and a women having sexual tension as they were expected to of been attracted to each other as the audience would of viewed. We could see this in the the fencing match with Steed and Peel there was a lot of sexual tension which the audience would of felt the sense of realism. The representations of Steed is that he is a strong dominant male who has a side kick of Peel who i represented as a sex icon strong women. There was never any hints that either of them were 'together' yet the audience must of expected it as that what they were used to seeing men and omen having sexual relationships and not same sex.

However, after 1966 when homosexual relations were legalised society changed aswell as in 2013 when gay marriage was legalised in UK thus affecting  'Cuffs' which was brought out in 2010.
This is evident when lead character Jake who is represented as being strong, masculine and tough- because of his job as a police officer- is openly gay in the programme thus not reflection the stereotype of gays as being weak, feminine and lazy which is not the representation of Jake.
Jake is portrayed as a role model and continuously disagree with the stereotype of gay men thus showcasing the acceptability of gay people today in society.


Task 3- 15 marks

Feminism in the 1960s was rising while most women started to fight for their rights such as getting paid the same as men instead of 60% less than men and Reproduction Rights.
When 'The Avengers' was brought out in 1960s the character Emma Peel embodies the crazy new fashion by wearing a tight black bodysuit which highly sexualised women yet still being represented as a strong dominant women by the connotation of her black outfit.
This would be one of the first time a women has taken apart of a 'male' job of fighting thus reflecting women feeling liberated.

In 'Cuffs' equal rights between both men and women were more accepted and shown.
This is evident where both male and female police officers are shown, such as Jo who is very respected and high in the police force however the make superintendent still tries to hold power over her when Jo went to his office and the audience would see she looked inferior to him thus showing the old ways of unequal right which has still suck with many people.
'Cuffs' shows equal rights between men and women because that is now in society is use to and also approaches a wider diverse audience which is the opposite to 'The Avengers'

Task 4- 10 marks

In 1960 the 'white' culture took over an minor views on other ethnicities were shown as the white British male stereotype was an actual belief thus making other ethnicities look feeble.
This is portrayed in the 1960 show 'The Avengers' because all of the characters are white which illustrates he clear superiority the 'white British' public felt towards any other ethnicities.
This is apparent where both Steed and Emma are white and other new characters were also white such as the spies in New Baesly.
A 1960 audience would of rather seen an all white cast because this is what they had been used to so they would of rejected as diverse cast causing the program itself to be unsuccessful.

On the other hand,  in 2010 tv programs were much more device and society was much more accepting to other ethnicities other than the 'white British', such as 'Cuffs'.
This is visible where Ryan the main character is from an African decent and another officer Donna is from an asian decent thus conveying the diversity of the times.
Ryan is represented as a positive,hard working, for the law and kind whereas the African decent stereotype suggest the opposite such as being the criminal and rough.
However, Keegan Benson a white British male who's stereotype is being powerful and dominant match Keegan personality as we see he is a racist criminal thus showing a negative view on him and therefore on his stereotype.
There is a significant difference from an all white cast in 'The Avengers' and a diverse cast in 'Cuffs' thus contrasting the times period they are made in what is acceptable and what is not.

Task 5- 15 marks

In 'The Avengers' Steed who is the main male character was shown as a chivalrous gentleman by his acts towards Peel who is the main female role in the theme video when he hands her a flower showing his traditional chivalrous actions.
Peel is represented as a dominant female who is also a sex icon for males and a role model for females. Both Peel and Steed are on an equal level however at some times Steed can been seen as more superior such as Peel takes on one female to fight while Steed is left with many males to fight.
This conveys the 60s as being male dominated even though Peel starts to make the mark of equality between both genders.

Moreover, in 'Cuffs' both male and female roles are equal thus showing the acceptance of women being allowed to have high paid jobs aswell as typically 'male' jobs such as a police officer.
Character such as Jo Moffet can be seen superior to many other male police officers when she shows her power while leading the mission of finding the racist male Keegan. Many other females such as Donna can be seen as strong independent women.
Aswell as male characters such as Ryan and Jake are shown on the same level as the previous said women.
Even though both tragedies of Amit and Nathan are both male and the gang who commits the racial  crime in the shop towards Amit are male thus reflecting on the rise of hate crime in Brighton- especially preformed by men.