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.