"A new vision" (Part 1) 

 

 

Introduction

Given that the topic about "Stereotypes" has been repeatedly in class, I believe that it is appropriate to share a clarification (linked to the world of art and culture), which I think you might mean them a contribution to their knowledge.

   

Recently; Sociology, Anthropology and Literature have defined a classification for characters in the media, concerning to the ‘social image of a group’, that a character helps to convey. Within this group are distinguished: Stereotypes, Prototypes, Archetypes and Human Kinds.

Stereotypes

Stereotypes are generalized and static images of the conduct, appearance and way of thinking of a specific human group. Given how easy it’s to include them in different context, stereotypes have been used as recurring, this resulted in building a trite and predictable view of a community, depending of some factor in specific; inculcating us the idea that we "know" this group, even without us concerned by contrast the ideas we have with the reality. When we don’t this exercise, we create prejudices.

With regard to the capacity of the stereotypes demonstrate sustainability in time, should be appointment at the film The Breakfast Club, directed by John Hughes (1985), which according to experts in film consolidated the stereotypes of the American school community. Note how twenty-five years later, television series Glee (Broadcast in Fox since 2009) used these images as the basis for its characters, even though the writers granted certain "reliefs and nuances" to give them depth.

 

Prototypes

Prototypes are characters that enclose the "perfection" of a group of features, meaning an ideal of conduct and thought. Examples of this are the characters of Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare (1597) and Tristan and Isolde (anonymous legend), who are passionate, sensitive and unforgiving lovers ready to do everything to overcome the social adversity and love forever. As well as stereotypes arise from an arbitrary generalization, the prototypes arise from an idealization of the human characteristics in its maximum expression.

Prototypes tend to be confused with stereotypes because they are also used as "models" that are repeatedly present in the narrative. It happens because they also possess some cultural impact in the media; however, the prototypes don’t generalize the feeling, thinking and acting of a community or group, but are only reinvented ‘ideals of personality’, depending on context. Prototypes usually have a name and its reproduction tends to be judged as an imitation. For example, Marilyn Monroe is the ‘prototype of a sensual woman’, then, the actresses who spread a sensual image of themselves tend to be taken as ‘analogous’ to the model imposed by Monroe.

(to be continue... Bibliography will be included in the final part)