Since the Black Lives Matter movement regained global popularity in the summer of 2020, racial equality became a prominent issue in the media. Shortly after, Shonda Rhimes’ post-heritage drama Bridgerton, based on Julia Quinn’s romance novels, was produced by Shondaland, and released on the streaming platform Netflix in December 2020. Since racial issues had been dominating the media, a possible reason for the series’ immense popularity might be its multiracial cast. Bridgerton, whose fictitious storyline is set in London during Britain’s Regency era in 1813, tries to create an alternative historical past in which people of colour are not being victimized because of their skin tone. It can be assumed that in such an alternative history the characters must start on an equal footing, regardless of their skin colour (Romano). However, it turns out that the series is not clear about what message it wants to bring across, since the racial identities of black characters are almost entirely muted leaving the series as one that opts for escapism over a nuanced exploration of real-time racial dynamics (Tillet). Even as people of colour and other marginal groups of society have gained more visibility in the American film industry, they are still subject to discrimination and severely underrepresented in television (Hunt and Ramón). Considering that racism describes “policies, behaviours, rules etc. that result in a continued unfair advantage to some people … based on race”, the purpose of this essay is to reveal racist aspects about the series (“racism”). Although Bridgerton tries to represent people of colour progressively by casting diverse actors, the series creates the opposite effect by concealing relevant racial issues, destroying the idea of a black solo reigning queen, and by silencing and stereotyping black characters negatively.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Concealment of Racial Inequality
- The Illusion of a Black Queen
- The Marginalization of Black Characters
- Negative Stereotyping of Black Characters
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to analyze the representation of people of color in the Netflix series Bridgerton, examining whether the show's diverse cast translates to progressive representation or masks underlying racist aspects. The analysis focuses on how the series handles historical context, the portrayal of a Black queen, the distribution of screen time and dialogue, and the use of negative stereotypes.
- The series' handling of historical context, specifically the British slave trade and abolition movement.
- The portrayal of Queen Charlotte and its implications for representation of Black royalty.
- The distribution of screen time and dialogue among characters of different races.
- The presence and impact of negative stereotypes associated with Black characters.
- The overall effectiveness of Bridgerton in achieving progressive representation.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section establishes the context of the essay by highlighting the increased focus on racial equality following the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement and the subsequent release of Bridgerton. It introduces the central argument: that despite its diverse cast, Bridgerton employs various strategies that ultimately undermine its potential for progressive representation of people of color. The essay outlines its key arguments concerning the show's handling of historical context, its portrayal of a Black queen, the marginalization of Black characters through unequal screen time and dialogue, and the use of negative stereotypes.
The Concealment of Racial Inequality: This section critiques Bridgerton's avoidance of crucial historical context related to the British slave trade and the abolition movement. By omitting these significant events, the show creates a sanitized historical narrative that downplays Britain's racist past. The essay argues that this omission prevents a genuine exploration of racial dynamics and hinders the potential for meaningful engagement with the complexities of race. The contrasting of the fictional world of Bridgerton, where slavery has been abolished prior to the plot, with the brutal reality of the British Empire's involvement in slavery is highlighted, emphasizing the show's deliberate creation of an alternate history that avoids confronting the issue.
The Illusion of a Black Queen: This section analyzes the portrayal of Queen Charlotte, a character initially presented as a solo reigning queen of color, a seemingly progressive choice. However, the essay reveals that this representation is ultimately deceptive, as a later scene clarifies that she is the king's consort, not an independently ruling monarch. The analysis argues that this portrayal subtly reinforces the idea that the advancement of a person of color is contingent upon the benevolence of white characters, thereby undermining the idea of independent Black power and agency. A key quote highlighting that racial equality is dependent on the approval of white characters is used as evidence.
The Marginalization of Black Characters: This section focuses on the unequal distribution of screen time and dialogue between white and Black characters in Bridgerton. The essay draws on research from the UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report and other studies to demonstrate the continued underrepresentation and marginalization of people of color in the film and television industries. It points out the irony of Bridgerton, which despite having a Black producer, largely prioritizes white characters, giving them significantly more dialogue and narrative focus. The lack of depth and exploration given to most Black characters is noted, contrasting their limited roles with the extensive development of the white characters' narratives. The significance of light-skinned Black characters holding the most power is also highlighted.
Negative Stereotyping of Black Characters: The final section delves into the problematic use of negative stereotypes associated with Black characters in Bridgerton. The essay argues that certain Black characters are linked to violent or aggressive behaviors, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and shifting the focus away from the systemic racism inherent in the predominantly white society. Specific examples of characters who fulfill these stereotypes are analyzed, connecting their portrayals to broader discussions of media representation and its impact on the construction of reality. The observation that characters with darker complexions often embody these negative attributes is also crucial to the argument.
Keywords
Bridgerton, racial representation, people of color, historical accuracy, British Empire, slavery, abolition, Queen Charlotte, screen time, dialogue, stereotypes, Black characters, progressive representation, media representation.
Bridgerton: A Critical Analysis of Racial Representation - FAQ
What is the main focus of this essay?
This essay critically analyzes the representation of people of color in the Netflix series Bridgerton. It examines whether the show's diverse cast translates to genuinely progressive representation or merely masks underlying racist aspects.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
The essay explores several key themes, including: the series' handling of historical context (specifically the British slave trade and abolition movement); the portrayal of Queen Charlotte and its implications for representation of Black royalty; the distribution of screen time and dialogue among characters of different races; the presence and impact of negative stereotypes associated with Black characters; and the overall effectiveness of Bridgerton in achieving progressive representation.
How does the essay analyze the historical context of Bridgerton?
The essay critiques Bridgerton's avoidance of the British slave trade and abolition movement. It argues that this omission creates a sanitized historical narrative that downplays Britain's racist past and prevents a genuine exploration of racial dynamics.
What is the essay's perspective on the portrayal of Queen Charlotte?
The essay argues that while initially presented as a progressive choice (a Black queen), the portrayal of Queen Charlotte is ultimately deceptive. The revelation that she is a consort, not an independently ruling monarch, subtly reinforces the idea that the advancement of a person of color is dependent on white characters' benevolence.
How does the essay address the marginalization of Black characters?
The essay highlights the unequal distribution of screen time and dialogue between white and Black characters. It uses research from the UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report and other studies to demonstrate the continued underrepresentation and marginalization of people of color in film and television. It notes the irony of Bridgerton prioritizing white characters despite having a Black producer.
What are the essay's findings regarding negative stereotyping in Bridgerton?
The essay identifies the problematic use of negative stereotypes associated with Black characters. It argues that certain Black characters are linked to violent or aggressive behaviors, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and shifting the focus away from systemic racism. The essay notes that characters with darker complexions often embody these negative attributes.
What is the overall conclusion of the essay regarding Bridgerton's representation?
The essay concludes that despite its diverse cast, Bridgerton employs various strategies that ultimately undermine its potential for progressive representation of people of color. The show's avoidance of historical context, the nuanced portrayal of Queen Charlotte, the marginalization of Black characters, and the use of negative stereotypes all contribute to this conclusion.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Bridgerton, racial representation, people of color, historical accuracy, British Empire, slavery, abolition, Queen Charlotte, screen time, dialogue, stereotypes, Black characters, progressive representation, media representation.
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- Marvin Loye (Autor), 2022, The Racist Representation of People of Colour in Bridgerton, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1243962
