7/29/2019 Dont Say a Word - Representations

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Dont Say a Word Representations

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Protagonist

The main character in the film is Dr. Conrad who

is a successful psychiatrist, husband and father.

His physical appearance shows him to be fit,

strong and healthy which is a typical stereotype

of any protagonist. His gender is of course male which again reinforces the

typical stereotype of men being the central and dominant role of the film.

When revealed through a close up; we are able to see his wrinkles and grey

hairs, thus allowing us to infer after his slightly older age. This would

therefore challenge the stereotype of the main character being of young age

as it would consequently weaken his character.

Antagonist

The old age of the Doctor is contrasted against the

antagonist who is both the jewel thief and the

kidnapper. The close up here reveals his younger age

which is the typical representation of the

conventional villain. This would serve the director as

it makes Dr. Conrad seem more vulnerable against his rival and thusevoking sympathy from the audience. The antagonist here is again a

healthy male figure and of a British nationality; which reinforces the

stereotypes of a generic villain.

Mrs Conrad

Women are often represented as the victim who

is both vulnerable and hopeless. Gary Fleder

does little to challenge this as he not onlyportrays the mother as emotionally weak but

also physically incapable. She is shown to be in bed having her breakfast

bought to her with her leg wrapped up in a cast. Her vulnerable state would

elevate Dr. Conrads superiority and help draw sympathy from the

audience. She is first shown wearing a red pyjamas revealing her arms and

chest; this if course links in to the idea of women being represented as

sexual objects and is further reinforced by her vulnerable state and

physical attractiveness.

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Jessie Conrad

The daughter of Dr. Conrad is taken very early on

in the trailer. The audience have very little time to

accustom to her but the time that we are given is

significantly effective. We first see her being

carried by her father to bed and then again as she

is about to sleep. From her physical appearance and the discussions we

overhear, the audience are soon to become attached to her cute and

innocent character. She is shown to be very young which emphasises her

vulnerability and thus falls in with the typical stereotype of children being

weak and endangered.

Elisabeth Burrows

Throughout the trailer she is represented as

mentally disturbed and the audience are unable

to engage with her character. This feeling is

shared by Dr. Conrad who desperately tries to

break through her silence. Her discouraging physical state, unnatural body

posture and almost haunting voice help to reveal her mental disorder andso strengthens the realism of her unfortunate condition.