What Is The Context Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Hush, the tenth episode of the fourth season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, first aired in December 1999. At the time of the show’s fourth season it had grown a large and devoted following; about 7% of all households watching television tuned in to the episode’s debut (Ray, 2001). Its original context addresses at its surface the layered nature of communication; “So this is what it is,” the introductory lines to the episode tell the audience, “Talking about communication. Talking about language; not the same thing.” This text lends itself to a discussion of the ways in which people communicate when they are not speaking, and the many means by which people share meaning. A deeper reading of the original context might explore the show’s representation
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Rather than focusing on the obvious phenomenon addressed in the original context, a viewer might instead explore a metaphorical reading of the episode. In this new context, the viewer might be interested in discerning concepts represented by the show’s characters; eschewing the focus on romantic dyads, as the surface reading lends itself, and instead looking toward classes of characters. Additionally, this construction relies on a particular interpretation of the Gentlemen’s plan. Most importantly, the reading suggested by this work is concerned with the primary plot motive of the episode: control over …show more content…
These characters overcome the limitations imposed on them by the Gentlemen and ultimately triumph over them. By cooperating with one another, the heroes are able to wrest control from the Gentlemen and consequently thwart their plan.
The choice of the term “class” is purposeful in this interpretation; these classes may be understood as representations of the classic socioeconomic hierarchy – the aristocracy, represented by the Gentlemen; the bourgeoisie, represented by the Gentlemen’s thralls; and the proletariat, represented by the citizens of Sunnydale and the heroes of the text – or as representations of dominate/subordinate class interactions along any other determination; racial, sexual, etc.
The plan of the Gentlemen, then, may be understood as a manifestation of class domination. The Gentlemen desire to obtain something vital to the survival of the townspeople, their hearts. In order for them to be capable of accomplishing this objective they must exert control over the people, and they do so through means particularly relevant to contemporary world events and critical studies – they steal the voice of the people they wish to subjugate. This is a powerful tool for the suppression of dissent, and has long been used by governments and other dominant classes to control their
Rather than focusing on the obvious phenomenon addressed in the original context, a viewer might instead explore a metaphorical reading of the episode. In this new context, the viewer might be interested in discerning concepts represented by the show’s characters; eschewing the focus on romantic dyads, as the surface reading lends itself, and instead looking toward classes of characters. Additionally, this construction relies on a particular interpretation of the Gentlemen’s plan. Most importantly, the reading suggested by this work is concerned with the primary plot motive of the episode: control over …show more content…
These characters overcome the limitations imposed on them by the Gentlemen and ultimately triumph over them. By cooperating with one another, the heroes are able to wrest control from the Gentlemen and consequently thwart their plan.
The choice of the term “class” is purposeful in this interpretation; these classes may be understood as representations of the classic socioeconomic hierarchy – the aristocracy, represented by the Gentlemen; the bourgeoisie, represented by the Gentlemen’s thralls; and the proletariat, represented by the citizens of Sunnydale and the heroes of the text – or as representations of dominate/subordinate class interactions along any other determination; racial, sexual, etc.
The plan of the Gentlemen, then, may be understood as a manifestation of class domination. The Gentlemen desire to obtain something vital to the survival of the townspeople, their hearts. In order for them to be capable of accomplishing this objective they must exert control over the people, and they do so through means particularly relevant to contemporary world events and critical studies – they steal the voice of the people they wish to subjugate. This is a powerful tool for the suppression of dissent, and has long been used by governments and other dominant classes to control their