TV shows have always been popular. However, fairly recently, their quality and their budget have vastly increased. ‘Prestige TV’, which is frequently argued to have started with The Sopranos, can be argued to have continued with The Wire, Lost, Breaking Bad, Boardwalk Empire, Game of Thrones, House of Cards, and Homeland. After 9/11, an increase in TV shows focusing on terrorism was noticeable. Many shows exhibited coping mechanisms built into their plots, which can be related to the events on September 11, 2001. Movies like the Rambo film series (1982-1988), Platoon (1986), Full Metal Jacket (1987), and Rocky IV (1985) can be argued to be cinematic attempts of coming to terms with the United States’ defeat in the Vietnam War, as well as locking horns with Russia respectively.
In more recent movie history, we can witness films such as Rules of Engagement (2000), Flightplan (2005), The Kingdom (2007), and the Transformers franchise (2007-2014), which can be interpreted as ‘blowing off steam’ with regard to the US Army’s seemingly endless engagement in the Middle East. Not to forget the recent TV shows Quantico (2015-), 24 (2001-2010), and Homeland (2011-), which are excellent examples for Orientalist points of view, terrorism threats and so-called ‘SHTF’-scenarios, as well as homeland-security issues. These TV shows all seem to be cultural products that can be seen as direct answers to the terrorist attacks that day. And just like the older examples of pop culture products, these series and movies are also filled with coping behavior and processes.
The goal of this thesis is to look at the dichotomy between the East and the West, the negative perception of the Middle East in the West, as well as how negative images of the East are constructed, but also countered in Western media. In other words, to see where or how Orientalist views are perpetuated and reinforced, and where they are countered, criticized, and ridiculed. Furthermore, the intention of this thesis will be to scrutinize the underlying presumptions about the ‘other’, and how these presumptions can be connected to Orientalism. By exposing the negative images, stereotypes and attempts of othering, light will be shed on the above-mentioned misrepresentations of Middle Easterners.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Through the Lens of Orientalism
- 2.1 Defining Geographies, Cultures, Languages and Religions
- 2.2 Orientalism
- 2.2.1 Critique towards Saïd's Understanding of Orientalism
- 2.2.2 Versions of Orientalism
- 2.2.3 American Orientalism
- 2.3 Representing, Othering, Stereotyping
- 2.3.1 Representing
- 2.3.2 Othering
- 2.3.3 Stereotyping
- 3. Middle Easterners as Represented in Homeland and Little Mosque on the Prairie
- 3.1 Homeland and Little Mosque on the Prairie
- 3.2 The Ideological Frame
- 3.3 The Political Frame
- 3.4 The Issue Frames
- 3.4.1 Race
- 3.4.2 Religion
- 3.4.3 Gender
- 4. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This thesis aims to examine the portrayal of Middle Easterners in contemporary North American TV series, focusing on the dichotomy between East and West and the construction and counter-narratives of negative images of the Middle East in Western media. It seeks to identify how Orientalist perspectives are perpetuated and challenged, scrutinizing underlying assumptions about the "other" and their connection to Orientalism. The analysis will expose negative stereotypes and attempts at "othering" to highlight the misrepresentation of Middle Easterners.
- Orientalism and its influence on media representations of the Middle East.
- Stereotyping and othering of Middle Eastern characters in television.
- The impact of geopolitical events (e.g., 9/11) on these representations.
- Analysis of specific TV series (Homeland and Little Mosque on the Prairie) to illustrate these themes.
- The role of media in shaping public perception of Middle Easterners.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic by highlighting the overwhelmingly negative portrayal of Middle Easterners in Hollywood productions, particularly after 9/11. It uses examples from various films and TV series (Rambo, 24, Quantico, Homeland) to illustrate how Middle Easterners are often stereotyped as terrorists or extremists. The introduction establishes the thesis's goal: to analyze how Orientalist views are perpetuated and countered in Western media, focusing on the negative images, stereotypes, and othering processes used to represent this large and diverse population.
2. Through the Lens of Orientalism: This chapter delves into the theoretical framework of Orientalism, defining relevant terms like geography, culture, religion, and language in the context of Middle Eastern representation. It critically examines Edward Said's concept of Orientalism and its various interpretations, including American Orientalism. The chapter then explores the mechanisms of representing, othering, and stereotyping, laying the groundwork for analyzing how these processes contribute to the negative portrayal of Middle Easterners in media.
3. Middle Easterners as Represented in Homeland and Little Mosque on the Prairie: This chapter provides a detailed analysis of how Middle Easterners are represented in the TV series *Homeland* and *Little Mosque on the Prairie*. It examines the ideological, political, and issue-based frames (race, religion, gender) present in these shows, comparing and contrasting their approaches to representing Middle Eastern characters and their experiences. The analysis will likely explore how these representations either reinforce or challenge Orientalist stereotypes.
Keywords
Orientalism, Middle Eastern representation, stereotypes, othering, media representation, terrorism, Islamophobia, Homeland, Little Mosque on the Prairie, American television, geopolitical context, cultural representation.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this academic text?
This academic text analyzes the portrayal of Middle Easterners in contemporary North American television series, specifically focusing on how Orientalist perspectives are perpetuated and challenged in these representations. It examines the use of stereotypes and "othering" to create negative images of the Middle East and its people.
What theoretical framework is used in the analysis?
The analysis primarily utilizes Edward Said's concept of Orientalism as its theoretical framework. The text critically examines Said's work and explores various interpretations of Orientalism, including its American variant. It then applies this framework to understand how mechanisms of representing, othering, and stereotyping contribute to negative portrayals of Middle Easterners in media.
Which television series are analyzed in this text?
The text focuses on a comparative analysis of two television series: *Homeland* and *Little Mosque on the Prairie*. The analysis explores how these shows represent Middle Eastern characters, comparing and contrasting their approaches and identifying the ideological, political, and issue-based frames (race, religion, gender) present in their respective portrayals.
What are the key themes explored in the text?
Key themes include the influence of Orientalism on media representations of the Middle East, the stereotyping and othering of Middle Eastern characters in television, the impact of geopolitical events (like 9/11) on these representations, and the role of media in shaping public perception of Middle Easterners. The text also examines how these representations either reinforce or challenge Orientalist stereotypes.
What is the objective of this thesis?
The thesis aims to examine the portrayal of Middle Easterners in contemporary North American TV series, focusing on the dichotomy between East and West and the construction and counter-narratives of negative images of the Middle East in Western media. It seeks to identify how Orientalist perspectives are perpetuated and challenged, scrutinizing underlying assumptions about the "other" and their connection to Orientalism. The analysis will expose negative stereotypes and attempts at "othering" to highlight the misrepresentation of Middle Easterners.
What are the key concepts defined in the text?
The text defines key concepts relevant to the analysis of Orientalism and media representations, including geography, culture, religion, and language within the context of the Middle East. It also explores the mechanisms of representing, othering, and stereotyping.
What keywords are associated with this text?
Keywords include Orientalism, Middle Eastern representation, stereotypes, othering, media representation, terrorism, Islamophobia, *Homeland*, *Little Mosque on the Prairie*, American television, geopolitical context, and cultural representation.
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The Table of Contents includes an introduction, a chapter on Orientalism and its critique, a chapter dedicated to the analysis of *Homeland* and *Little Mosque on the Prairie*, and a conclusion. Each chapter is further divided into sub-sections, exploring specific aspects of the main themes.
How does the text address the impact of geopolitical events?
The text acknowledges the impact of geopolitical events, particularly 9/11, on the representation of Middle Easterners in Western media. It explores how these events might have influenced the perpetuation of negative stereotypes and the construction of "othering" narratives.
What is the conclusion of the text likely to address?
The conclusion will likely summarize the key findings of the analysis, highlighting how *Homeland* and *Little Mosque on the Prairie* either perpetuate or challenge Orientalist stereotypes in their portrayal of Middle Eastern characters. It may also discuss broader implications for understanding media representations and their impact on public perception.
- Quote paper
- Matthias Köbrich (Author), 2017, Representation of Middle Easterners in Contemporary North American TV Series, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/436873
