'The media do not construct reality, they merely offer a window on the world'. Discuss this statement with reference to the representation of collective identities.

This statement has been given by Gauntlett who believes that the media do not show reality but actually show a small part of what it is and then dramatise this by adding a lot of extra influences which can come from society or anyone involved with the creation of the media being presented. In order to look at this, I have studied the representation of gender, this will allow analysis of the similarities and differences between reality and what is shown for entertainment through media. I focused my research on one specific group which is women representation, this is because society has various views on women, however majority of this are based on stereotypes and not actual the true lifestyle of a women. They are shown as either a housewife or as a sex object, this limits the achievement of women by empowering this idea through the use of media.

Looking at historical media that represent women, the Lindor Lindt chocolate advert in 2013 really emphasises the point of women seen sexual and almost unintelligent. The women is shown as focusing her attention on the chocolate, that she is willing to sit in a random guy's car by using her beauty to get a "free ride". The use of very feminine clothing, dramatic make-up that focuses on a certain area such as the eyes or lips and the elegant up do hairstyle really empowers the idea of sexuality. However, this view can be linked to reality due to women being very cautious about their appearance, yet a lot of this has been influenced by the media. But the idea of sexuality can be questioned as not all females will interact with a random guy but are much more knowledgable about the results of that action. Yet it can also be argued that this is for promotion purposes only and that it is an exaggeration of reality in order to gain views and potentially receive customer interest.

On the other hand, the TV drama Dr Foster shows a more real, natural side of women representation, this is because a lot of dramas base their storyline on society, enhancing the reality. This is because the audience are likely to watch the series due to having a connection to the story, being able to give their opinion while waiting for the next episode to be shown. This further increases their interest by them relating to the TV drama and not just watching it for entertainment but almost giving a message to the public. Gemma, a doctor, wife and mother is shown as a very diverse character, being presented as an intelligent, strong, independent women to a very emotional, aggressive and almost psycho-like personality, giving the audience to relate a wide aspect of the drama.

Furthermore, she is shown as subverting as well as opposing to the stereotype of women. The idea of women having a possessive and emotional personality when in a relationship is clearly shown throughout the story. Her change of behaviour once she found a blonde piece of hair on her husband's scarf, grew suspicion within her. Yet, her intelligence is shown by her not falling weak and giving up, but by actually using her mind in order to seek revenge. This shows her opposing to the stereotype of women seen as "dumb" and almost being pushed around. The use of her profession and manipulative skills to bring out the truth, really emphasises her strong character.

However, through various scenes she is shown as very devastated and almost lost the will to live, by linking her professional and personal life, questions her ability as a doctor and for some aspects as a mother. This will then maybe show a form of reality, that maybe women are not that "smart" and powerful but men are the dominant gender who need to be present in order to have a stable society.

The character of Gemma really links to the character Barbara from the film August Osage County, their personalities are very similar as she is a strong independent women who is too having a problem within her marriage life and that too of the same reason, because of her husband having an affair with a younger women. Majority of society view would be that the women will become depressed and very emotional, yet these two characters are shown as becoming more powerful and almost being the dominant one within the relationship.

Barbara, hides the reality of her life from her family as she is the oldest sibling and just found out about a very devastating news about her father's demise, shows how strong this character is. Not once is she shown as broken down, however the physical appearance really does symbolise this depressed time. The lack of attention towards her clothing, hair and make-up really emphases how women give up on how they look once they lose this attention from their husband. This links a lot to reality, as married women tend to take care of themselves even if they have children, by dressing elegantly but once a problem occurs within their marriage life, they do not bother about their appearance.

Although, Barbara's mother will completely ignore this view and believes that women need to wear make-up in order to look pretty, this is clearly emphasised when she is shown as still wearing lipstick and make-up after her husband's death. This shows how she still cares about her appearance regardless of the situation, yet it can be argued that this does still show a form of reality, society empowering the idea of women needing to wear make-up or revealing clothes etc.

Media and collective identity: how does one affect the other?

Media and collective identity has been argued about whether or not the two link, many would agree that the media represents many identities of society, creating movies and dramas with a diverse range of characters can be inspired by other identities within society or created spontaneously. However, it has been argued that media merely reflect identities and not make a new collective identity but look widely into given ones within the public. A reason for this being, is that many can relate to the personalities and characteristics shown within the media, nothing seems extraordinary and unique but just shown through a very complex way. Studying gender representations within the media, really aided many into analysing the different identities shown. 

Within the TV drama Dr Foster, Gemma who is a GP, a wife and a mother is shown as a very diverse and complex character. This can question the idea of this person being created and not represented as her identity is seen as a norm within society. Yet the story carried out within this series, has made a lot to believe that she is representing many other women within society. Gemma was shown to be an ordinary women who fulfils her duties as a mother as well as being the breadwinner within her household. This shows her as a strong, independent and intelligent women who is capable to manage both her roles within the household and outside too. However, as soon as she starts to become insecure about her relationship with her husband due to a piece of blonde hair found on her husband's clothing, she is portrayed as a very complicated character who will go to any limits in order to seek her revenge.

This can be linked to many other women who are very committed to their relationship especially when they are married and have children. They have this possessiveness towards their husband and could potentially purse revenge, therefore the character shown through Gemma can relate to other females. Using her manipulative skills by acting up to the stereotype of women using their sexuality for their own benefit, to showing signs of depression and stress at work, lacking some of her role as a mother towards her son, to using others that too from her profession for personal problems and joining both her professional and personal life shows how complex this character is. This representation clearly shows how women can become due to an issue within their relationship, that they are shown almost like a psychotic character, yet also a very intelligent, manipulative personality.

Though, there are some characters within the drama who are shown to be very weak and subordinate, this is shown by Kate, a young female who is having an affair with Gemma's husband, Simon. She is shown as a "dumb blonde" who will believe anything Simon says to her and almost be his puppet as she will do whatever he says. But this can also be argued due to the age gap between the two, she is shown less dominant and less intelligent compared to Gemma. This again could also aid into the stereotype of showing how some especially younger less experienced females can potentially fall into a trap due to blindingly loving an older men that too a married one. Within the last scene, a camera shot of over the shoulder of Kate has shown how she puts her hand on Simon's shoulder gently after seeing what has happened to Gemma. This adds up to her calm and quiet nature who still does not go against Simon yet almost supporting him by placing her hand on him.

On the other hand, analysing the film August Osage County, representations of women within this has been shown differently but also links a lot of characteristics within Dr Foster. Barbara, the oldest sister who is going through a very difficult time of planning divorce with her husband due to his affair with a younger women, but also taking care/control of her ill mother. However, covers up her personal issues in front of her family, this can be due to not wanting to put stress on her family members during a tough time with their father's demise. Or because of shame, not wanting to reveal something that would make her seem "small" and embarrassed about. Especially when her mother has such strong opinions on women ageing and that men go after younger women. This has led to her feeling more insecure as she feels her family will not support her but also she is seen as an aggressive character who uses a loud tone when finding about her mother using drugs. This adds into her expressing her stress by tolerating so much for so long, but now letting it all out.

Through various camera shots, Barbara is shown as a dominant strong character who is in control of the situations that arise. During the scene of visiting the doctors and questioning about the pills, she is seen as a patronising and taunting personality who is in charge. Over the shoulder shot of the doctor is shown as a low angle of Barbara, this shows her being powerful and the doctor as well as the audience looking up to her.

How to include this in the essay:

- women are 're' presented on screen - they are constructed
- given role of sister, mother, tart, mentally unwell, submissive - representations of women are constructs, through; costume, camera work, editing and sound etc.
- encoding meaning - producer - text - viewer - decoding meaning
- media - producer - text
- collective identity - decoded meaning
- creation - stereotypes - adhere/subvert in order to give new representations
- contextual influence - historical/cultural

Females Representation (August Osage County) - editing

Sisters and mother visitng the doctor:
- close up of Violet
- over the shoulder shot - Violet
- two shot - Barbara in blur and Violet in focus
- two shot - Violet in blur and Barbara in focus
  - Barbara is represented as a maternal authoritative
  - voice - sound editing gives her this God-like voice
  - she is seen as more authoritative than the Doctor
- over the shoulder shot - Karen
- Barbara in foreground of the shot with the rest of the females in the family at the back
  - Doctor does not need to be in the shot
  - Barbara more size - position of power
- Barbara is seen from an over the should shot - lower than her eye level
  - she is seen as more dominant - low angle
  - not a point of view shot - there is no gaze here
  - we are not seeing her through the doctor's eyes
- all women are shown through mid shots and long shots which cut off parts of their bodies
  - these shots as the viewer, to focus on what is being said rather than the physicality of the women - but do signify a fragmented women

'These perspectives in turn are products of distinct moments in time and are specific to the social realities of these times.' Samantha Lay How far do you agree with this statement.

Representations have been shown greatly through the use of media, this is either exaggerated and elaborated or shown very realistically that a lot of people within society can relate to. As Lay has mentioned about "distinct moments in time", this shows how representations change and alter according to different phases and places. This has been increasingly occurring within women representation within the media, looking at the TV drama Dr Foster, this is a very modern view of how women are. It destabilises the stereotype of women needing to be a housewife and childcare but is shown as a strong, independent women who can stand up for herself and actually be the dominant one within her relationship. This shows the increase of modernity within society, as her representation is not taken with a shock but seems very natural and normal. 

Working outside and that too at a high position with her income covering the household finances, just displays to us about her authority and importance of her role. Despite being the breadwinner, she too fulfils her duty as a mother towards her son by collecting him from school, making breakfast and tucking him into bed. This just shows how versatile she is as a women who is capable enough to take the responsibility of many things within her life. Yet, as soon as an issue comes up within her marriage life, she becomes completely devastated and at times shown as defeated. 




John Lewis 2010 ad

“Media representations are complex, not simple and straightforward”. How far do you agree with this statement in relation to the collective group that you have studied? [50]

Stuart Hall puts out his view of media representation by saying that they are "not simple and straightforward", this shows exactly how complex and elaborate representations can be, especially on the view of gender. Analysing representation of women, there is far too many influences that revolve around their portrayal such as family, politics and society in general. However, some may argue that representation can be straightforward such as the various TV adverts that portray women as housewives, when promoting house products such as cleaning items. This shows the view of what majority of people believe women are, yet it can also be argued that this is just the stereotypes given by society. Women are not intelligent enough to work out and have a career but to stay home and please their husband by taking care of the home, cooking and childcare.

However this view has been strongly opposed by the TV drama Dr Foster, Gemma, a wife, mother and doctor has been shown as a very diverse character, using both her intelligence as well as conforming to the stereotype of using her sexuality as a tactic to carry out her revenge. From being a hard working professional, to using her role as a contrivance, a loving mother for her son, to a deranged, unbalanced mother who was willing to let her husband believe that she has killed her son in order for him to confess.The complexity shown through this one character, really shows how difficult it is to represent the multitude of personalities and characteristics that a women can have. On the other hand the antagonist character Kate, a young women who is having an affair with a married man, executes the stereotype of men going after younger women. 

Her portrayal of being sexualised with fitted clothing, occasionally revealing clothes, accomplishes the message needing to be given. However, shown as a "ditzy blonde" as Lippmann would call this "a short cut" of knowing the simplistic forms of representation that carry a lot of information. This is shown by her having faith in Simon, by completely relying on him and believing every promise he makes. But then this can also be argued that the age gap between the two, makes her seem less dominate, less intelligent and less experienced or it could also mean her having fear of the truth being spilled.

The two leading women in the drama have contrasting roles, yet have some similar characteristic such as wanting attention, love and affection from a heterosexual relationship. Being concerned about their appearance by being slim, wearing minimal yet elegant make-up and wearing fashionable clothing according to their age ranges. Yet, they both are presented differently with Gemma being a very strong and dominate character whereas Kate is calm and gentle almost being pushed around to wherever benefiting others.

Looking at the film August Osage County, Barbara is shown to have similar characteristics as Gemma, a strong willed women who is having difficulties within her marriage life yet covers this up due to the concern of people around her. Although the two characters are shown within different areas and community, there is always a similar stereotype of women within all societies. This has led them into opposing the general view and showing their intelligence in potentially making a change and maybe even giving out a message to women going through such oppression in reality.

Being the oldest within her family and having two younger sisters as well as a daughter, adds to the pressure of her being a role model for the other females in her life. Therefore, hides the negative side of her life from her family due to difficult time already the family is going through of their fathers demise. Yet, her depression can be clearly seen by her appearance, the lack of make-up and carelessness towards her hair and clothing shows how she either does not have the time to take care of her self as she is a mother but also because her husband is now having an affair with a "younger woman" therefore, she does not need to bother about how she looks, as she has lost the attention from her husband.

Nonetheless, this could also mean her being a very natural character who does not need to subvert to the stereotype of wearing make-up to look pretty or revealing her figure in order to gain attraction. Society immediately get the idea that women without make-up means they are depressed or are not beautiful enough without it, this view has been strongly supported by Barbara's mother Violet who says "women need to wear make-up, else they look like a lesbian" or that "women get uglier and fatter with age." This shows how the stereotypes have taken over her, as she blindly believes this view even though she is a women herself.

As a result, Barbara is shown to be a very complex character who is trying to oppose the general stereotype of women needing to do certain things in order to be attractive, whereas Violet is subverting herself to societies view of representation of not being complicated but actually enrolling the convention.

Females Representation (Dr Foster) - editing

Gemma (episode 5)

- represented as a psychopath

- unable to control emotions

- she is confessing to Simon but manipulating

- key moment of showing reader, the audience of how complex the situation is

- playing as an anguished female but behind it is manipulating

- dressed very calmly but taking revenge very morally

- minimal make-up and jewellery not overtly sexualised in any way

- three shot or Gemma mid shot in blur focus - she is over seen - in complete control, pre-range, she was playing as the victim - emotionally controlled women

- long shot: audience are omniscient viewers

- over the shoulder - Kate - story being carried out

- Gemma shown as weak - lost to Simon - but completed her revenge by getting to accomplish what she wanted

- Neil's wife called first - shown as caring towards Gemma - dislikes Gemma for being so moral, not letting her issues to just be - but does not want to harm her, just to damage her profession not physically

- Kate shown as vulnerable - nurturing and caring for Simon - more concerned about him, Whereas Neil's wife is very shocked and surprised

- Gemma - mother/madonna

- Neil's wife - madonna

- Kate - whore - simplistic character - judging as stereotypical - weak, unintelligent - different to Gemma and Neil's wife characters

- extreme close up to show his physical dominance to her - also shows their expressions - strangling Gemma - silencing her

- But she is manipulating this violence - the shatter and punch is acting as a double ended sword - shows the representation of stopping Simon from seeing his son - enforcing the portrayal of him being a 'monster-like' character

- domestic abuse - violence in household - straightaway have the stereotype of women being the victim - men being violent but Gemma is manipulating this to happen

- cracking of representation and boundaries that women can uphold

- Carly: stood outside smoking - aided Gemma in order to accomplish revenge - her character os being quite collective and calm - not disturbed by inside issue but knows Gemma is strong and in control of the situation.

Theories mentioned in past paper questions:

”The media do not construct collective identity; they merely reflect it”. Michel Foucault

Who has the power in the relationship of collective identity construction? is it the audience or is it the producer of the text? Do the changing representations reflect changes in the audience?

"Media representations are complex, not simple and straightforward”. Stuart Hall  

How far do you agree with this? Do you think that their are some representations that are simple? Why is this?

Quotes: "The media do not construct reality, they merely offer a window on the world." David Buckingham

"It is unsatisfactory to assume that people somehow copy or borrow their identities from the media." David Gauntlett

"This (referring to the impact of the Media) could hardly fail to affect our own way of conducting ourselves, and our expectations of other people's behaviour."  David Gauntlett

"Identities are complex constructions." David Gauntlett

"Each individual has a set of multiple identities which operate at different times and under different circumstances. People define themselves by gender, family, religion, ethnic group, class, city, region, nation." Jeffrey Richards

"Of all the collective identities which human beings share today, national identity is perhaps the most fundamental and inclusive." Anthony Smith

"For the nation is, above all else, … 'an imagined community', a focus of loyalty and a source of identity, providing a sense of belonging to something bigger than oneself." Jeffrey Richards

"Every nation has a set of national values, desirable qualities that derive from the national identity and the national character." Jeffrey Richards

"The practitioners of both elite and popular culture, an later the mass media, … play a central role in defining and disseminating national identity, values and character." Jeffrey Richards

"How we are seen determines how we are treated, how we treat others is based on how we see them; such seeing comes from representation." Richard Dyer

"Does the audience ultimately have more power than the media?" David Gauntlett

"The power of the audience to interpret media texts, and determine their popularity, far outweighs the ability of media institutions to send a particular message or ideology to audience within their texts." David Gauntlett 

'These perspectives in turn are products of distinct moments in time and are specific to the social realities of these times." Samantha lay

How to get an A* exam essay

WWW:

1. Has clear knowledge of their text with data and statistics to support their ideas
2. Discussing the theory, arguing with the essay question and also arguing against it
3. Using key phrases like however, on the other hand, in contrast etc.
4. Continuing to debate the essay question, looking at both sides and using their evidence to compare.
5. Uses contextual information to further their debate e.g. changes in law or social change – Dr Foster; reflects a representation of how they are now – AOC: is slightly outdated
6. Includes theorists in relation to her point for her case studies and only uses four media theory throughout the essay – helps to avoid listing theorists
7. Recognises the context of the media text and uses them to argue the essay question e.g. Dr Foster; British/London – AOC; America/Deep South
8. In conclusion – goes back to essay question, think about collective identity that it is not always collective
9. Discusses what future might hold – looks at recent changes to representations and provides examples

Dr Foster:
1 - BBC one-flagship channel 'most watched television channel. 
June 2013 the channel controller for BBC One is Charlotte Moore.
Writer: Mike Bartlett 
Director: Tom Vaughan 
Screening: BBC One 9pm weeknights. 
The series was commissioned by Charlotte Moore and Ben Stephenson. 
The executive producers are Roanna Benn, Greg Brenman, Jude Liknaitzky and Matthew Read. 
Suranne Jones won Serial Drama Performance for National Television Awards 2016 for her portrayal of Gemma.

AOC:

1 - Smoke House Pictures. 
The company was founded in 2006 by George Clooney and Grant Heslov after the shutdown of Section Eight Productions.
Director: John Wells           

Writers: Tracy Letts (screenplay), Tracy Letts (play)

It is produced by George Clooney, Jean Doumanian, Grant Heslov, Steve Traxler, Bob and Harvey Weinstein.

For their performances in the film, Streep and Roberts received Academy Award nominations for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively.

Peer marking

WWW: 

1. Focuses on how the group are represented in different mediums e.g. reality TV and TV drama
2. Uses a wide range of examples trying to find common representation types within them e.g. short list in introduction
3. Clear understanding that there is no such thing as collective identity 'many and various'
4. Clearly understands the genre of the texts and the generic expectations we have of these fictional characters e.g. a staple of the crime genre
5. Uses small sections of description from the texts to exemplify the point e.g. 'wedding speech'
6. Investigates the representation e.g. uses phrases such as on the other hand
7. Uses another text to compare/further the ideas e.g. takes things further
8. Does describe, but turns the description into analysis. continually use PEE structure
9. Recognises the audience in the argument - knows the demographic of the texts BARB
10. Continual comparison of the texts and similarities/patterns shown where possible
11. tUnderstands the use of stereotypes to create familiarity, but also explores where it is challenged
12. Recognises our need for these types of representation. e.g. stock characters, entertainment, but also investigates the need to distort them

Mulvey's male gaze theory

Sicario – Emily Blunt and Sandra Bullock were starred in the movie however these roles were originally written for men.

Women are replacing men’s roles e.g. Ghost busters, Mad Max

Mulvey:

Male gaze – cinema and moving image are created for men.

Patriarchal in nature – mainstream cinema

Female gaze – female producers/actresses/films to encounter male gaze

Mulvey suggest patriarchy is inscribed in mainstream cinema by ensuring that men are the “bearer of the look” whilst women exist “to be looked at”.

Are women’s bodies in the text represented as fragmented? Are they shown through close-ups?

Men are active – making things happen – contrast to women’s passivity?

What do the women’s in the text say? Are they knowledgeable? Are they academic? Are they powerful?

–      AOC : women driving/rescuer/type of car/confidence

Women sexualised? – Dr Foster? – Complicated representation of women

How use of editing enforces the representations?

-       Gemma and Simon in kitchen as final scene – strength of both are shown

Use of theories to talk about representation of women

Seven codes of Realism

1. The Code of Surface Realism - Does the representation look and sound to you like the real world it claims to show?
Dr Foster is a TV drama therefore, some sections of this will be dramatised for the interest of the audience who watch this for entertainment. But the costume, props and setting of the character Gemma is kept very realistic as a married women who is also a mother. Her style of clothing is kept very conventional as well as dull due to the clothing majority of the time being black, grey or navy. This represents her serious nature and also her profession of being a GP, keeping her look quite reserved and sophisticated. Also her make-up and jewellery is kept to a minimum due to her being careless or this could also mean her not having the time as she is too busy with her child and workplace, that she has not given herself some time in doing things majority of women or is seen as the "norm" of society. but within some scenes she is seen as wearing make-up and fixing her hair or wearing heels, this is for her to be shown as trying to look "pretty" as she wants her husband to notice these things about her or when she meets Neil, to present sexuality and trying to make her husband "jealous" by going out.

On the other hand, in August Osage County, Barbara is shown as very careless with the way she looks again as she is a wife and a mother, she does not have time to focus on herself. But Violet is shown as very concerned with her appearance by saying "women need make-up, else they look like a lesbian" and that "women get fat and ugly when they are older", this view is realistic as it is what society do believe, that attraction goes with age. Wearing make-up has become such as globally trend that if a women is seen without it, they are believed to be "ugly" or a "tomboy." This view has influenced her youngest daughter Karen, as she is shown throughout the movie in dresses with an elegant hairstyle, however her look contradicts a lot with Ivy as she is shown in clothing that will be classed as "masculine", which Violet does not like.

2. The Code of Social Realism - Does the representation present social reality ‘like it really is’? Or ‘as it really was’?
Dr Foster is based on a more modern society as she is an independent professional women who is not just a house wife but has a career as well as takes care of the household finance. Other women in the drama too are working and are seen as professionals, this shows how they do not have the stereotypical mindset of women not working especially after marriage, as they need to stay home and cook, clean and childcare. This is a form of reality, as in some areas of society, it is seen as conventional to do so, especially now that society is becoming more open minded and allowing women to be equal to men.

August Osage County is based on a typical minded society, this is because all women within the movie are not professional workers or even have a job, but are shown as housewives. They all have a stereotypical mind of staying home, for Barbara that means taking care of her child and for Violet and Karen they are most interested in their appearance. Again this can be seen as reality as many women in societies wish to just marry and have children, do not want to study or work, this is either their own choice due to their upbringing or it could be a pressure as it is seen as the norm within their society.

In both mediums, although they have contradicting views, as women they do have similarity in values and characteristics. Within the drama, Gemma and Simon show their family and friends that they are a happily married couple and try to cover up, or Gemma is being very strong in not letting her situation out to society. Within the movie, this is what Barbara and her husband are going through as well, they try to show their family that they are still together however are going through separation maybe even divorce. This shows how even though they are struggling within their own households, they still care about society that they will start to question and interfere.

However within August Osage County, if issues arise in a relationship, the men is questioned and is seen as the negative person. But within Dr Foster, Gemma has a fear of this as within her society, this question will be asked to both and more likely to women. Also if their children become deviant, the blame will be on the mother that she has lacked in her upbringing. Regardless of how negative or bad influence the father may be, as they are not the birth giver or seen as staying with the child as much as the mother should.

3. The Genre Code - Is the representation what you’d expect to see and hear in this sort or genre of text? - Does it make you suspend your disbelief?

4. The Narrative Code - Are events likely to happen in this way and in this order?

5. The Code of Psychology and Character Motivation - Does a fictional representation invest greater realism in the psychology of its characters than in the other codes?

6. The Code of Discursive or Ideological Truth - Does a fictional representation construct for its viewers a particularly compelling and persuasive sense of truth?

7. The ‘Counter-Realism’ Code of Institutional Constraint - Are representations shaped by the institutions that produce them in ways that constrain or limit their realism?

Scene Strength

Ivy found out about her relationship with Little Charles, which left her very angry and hurt, calling Barbara and Violet "monsters" this shows the hatred she has towards them for keeping the secret away from her, knowing that she is in a relationship with him. However, she says that she will continue to be with him and still go to the place they were planing to go. She continued to ignore Barbara after the countless times she was calling her back. The relationship between the two sisters has broken. Karen and Barbara already had an argument and now with Ivy, this shows how when they are together, they have disagreements but when living away from each other, they get on with their own lives and do not need to take into account of others.

Barbara, then gets back into the house and looks at herself in the mirror, this shows how maybe she is seeing her mother in herself. The way her relationship with her husband and sisters has fallen apart is the same for her mother. Therefore, she is looking to see how she is just becoming like her mother, maybe the negativity her mother has is growing onto her. 

Scene Fish

Jean is shown here as being annoyed and giving evils to her mother, she then closes the window, showing that she does not care about her and wants to pay no attention. Her father is shown as tuning the radio, putting his shades and driving off. Again showing no interest in Barbara, but both ignore her and drive off, making Barbara feel hurt and almost left out.

Scene Parting

Barbara's daughter is shown here as very angry and aggressive, she has been shown quite negative throughout the movie, especially towards her mother. This is further shown when Barbara becomes angry after finding out what was happening between Karen's fiance and her daughter. This resulted in Barbara slapping her daughter out of anger, but after realising that she maybe should not have done that. Their relationship becomes more distant and negative, portraying Barbara and Violet's relationship.

Barbara is shown here aggressive and wanting to attack Karen's fiance due to his behaviour, Barbara's husband too is very annoyed however, is holding back Barbara. This shows how she is much more concerned about her daughter, but her husband is taking it quite lightly. As well as Karen, she is shown as supporting her fiance and trying to back Barbara off. This gives a sense as if Barbara, is the negative character here and that everyone is against her. Again empowering the similarity between Violet and Barbara.

Scene Kinship

Mattie Fae, tells Barbara about why Ivy and Little Charles can not be together because they are brothers and sisters. This left Barbara very shocked and annoyed about hiding such a big truth from everyone. However, her aunt forbids her from telling anyone and so she keeps this secret away from others.

Scene Reunion

After returning from the doctors and when Violet attempted to run away, Barbara and Violet become calmer and call it a truce.

While Violet was sleeping, the three sisters were outside having a conversation about Ivy and Charles' relationship. they were discussing about if they would move out and if so, who will look after their mother. This shows their concern and worry for their mother as they do not wish to leave her on her own, especially after their father's death. However, none of them agree to stay with the mother but want to part ways and live their lives.

Violet is speaking about her childhood to her three daughters, gets emotional but is still quite "drowsy" due to the drugs. Barbara, Ivy and Karen understand why the mother is how she is due to her difficult upbringing. Violet's mother was quite mean and harsh towards her, did not allow her to do or get what she wanted, therefore she has potentially become like that. This either shows a sign of depression or just over possessiveness/care for her daughters.

Scene Pills

Barbara attacks Violet due to her attitude when having dinner, the opened secret of Barbara and her husband's separation and also her random comments being offensive towards Barbara. The pills issue erupts and allows Barbara to take some physical action in order to let her anger out. This is quite shocking for the rest of the family, yet still surprised for the fact of Violet taking pills.

Barbara yells at Violet, saying that she is in charge now if Violet has not figured it out yet therefore, everything will go according to how she wants regardless of pleasing others in her decisions. Violet is shown as being quite weak and "defeated" as she being the mother of the household, has been exploited by her own daughter.

While Violet is resting, the three daughters are shown together, looking at their mother, this shows a sign of affection towards their mother. Even though they may shout or be aggressive towards their mother, they still care about her health.

Barbara is speaking with the doctor who has provided Violet with those pills, the doctor seems quite careless, making Barbara feel further annoyed, enabling her to become aggressive by throwing the pills to the doctor. This too shows how she is worried about her mother's health and that the doctor is neglecting her health and showing no signs of concern.

After visiting the doctor, while driving back, Violet says that she feels sick and to stop the car, this allows her into attempting to run away as she feels that she is a burden for everyone else. Barbara runs after her asking what she is doing, showing signs of concern and agitate. This shows how despite everything she will be with her and that their relationship of a mother and daughter is still there.

Scene Truth

Violet is shown as being quite drowsy and unstable, the dinner is just after the funeral however, Violet shows no signs of sadness but in fact is loud and insane-like. Yet she gives sly comments to anyone else who is being loud or discussing any random topics around the table.

When Violet starts speaking, she is always negative and attempts to offend someone within a conversation. Signs of boredom is shown by other family members as well as frustration and annoyance. This shows how she is always like that, therefore not a shock for the family members, yet quite surprised for the reason that she is still behaving like that after her husband's death.

Scene Grace

Scene Delay

Barbara's daughter and Karen's fiance are shown waiting outside the shops, while doing so Karen's fiance asks Barbara's daughter if she smokes, she got worried and scared for the fact that how does he know, if she does.

Violet, Mattie Fae and Ivy are looking through old photos of when they were younger, this made Violet bring out the same idea of women getting "uglier" when they get older.

While Barbara and her husband are setting up the table by getting the chairs from the back garden, they start to discuss about their relationship. 

Scene Boat

The police gives the news to Violet about Beverly, she is shown in a state of shock 

Scene Heat

Once Mattie Fae and her husband arrive to her sister's house, she is shown as panicking and rushing to go see her sister as she knows she must be going through a very tough time. Whereas, her husband seems quite careless and walks in a different direction, this shows how he is not concerned about Violet but maybe how the rest of the family are.

Scene Bargain

Violet enters her husband's study, turns to her cook and says "You're very pretty,"she then asks, in a tone of thinly veiled desperation, "Do you think I'm pretty?", the cook replies "Yes, Violet is pretty." When Violet asks the cook that question, it is not a matter of complimenting her but a test of cooperation and exchanging. 

August Osage County 2013 - Film

Cast:

Meryl Streep as Violet Weston (mother - Beverly's wife)

A character who is very sealed and lives within herself, she is suffering from oral cancer however continues to smoke and is addicted to narcotics which have been provided by her doctor. She goes through a mixture of emotions quite rapidly by being quite angry and aggressive to being weak and having a soft tone. She is constantly seeking ways to soothe herself, either through self medicating or through emotional support of others. This instability that she endures can be terrifying for her as well as for others around her.

Julia Roberts as Barbara Weston-Fordham (oldest daughter)

Ewan McGregor as Bill Fordham (Barbara's husband - son-in-law)

Chris Cooper as Charles Aiken (uncle - Mattie Fae's husband)

Abigail Breslin as Jean Fordham (Barbara's daughter - grand daughter)

Benedict Cumberbatch as Charles "Little Charlie" Aiken (cousin/half brother - nephew)

Juliette Lewis as Karen Weston (youngest daughter)

Margo Martindale as Mattie Fae Aiken (aunt - Violet's sister)

Dermot Mulroney as Steve Huberbrecht ( Karen's fiance)

Julianne Nicholson as Ivy Weston (middle daughter)

Sam Shepard as Beverly Weston (father - Violet's husband)

Played the role of an alcoholic, once-noted poet.

Who is shown only in the first scene at the beginning, is quite old and weak looking, he is shown sat on a chair and facing towards one direction, while his wife is amusing herself and talking with the cook, he pays no attention but rather seems quite tired.

Misty Upham as Johnna Monevata (cook/caregiver)
Played the role of a young native American woman who was a live-in cook and caregiver for Violet.