Stranger Things Character
Teenagers- Pre teens vs older teens. Does not use the normal semiotics of american teenage drama, refrains from stereotypes. Teens have personal issues eg Johnathan being a family figure. Scene: Johnathan making breakfast/ having to get Will out of bed.
Family life and relationships- Difference between Will’s and Mike family. Identifies the struggle of wealth. Scene: Joyce’s phone call with Karen. Nancy and steven’s relationship is cliche to start with. Scene: Toilet make out scene.
Mothers- Joyce is an atypical mother to Will, contrasted by Karen. She works two jobs and relies on Johnathan to take care of Will. Scene: trying to put a front to Karen.
Absent fathers- Will’s father is absent causing Johnathan to become a father figure. It is evident that Mike’s father lacks care when it comes to Mike and Nancy, causing Karen to become stern and have arguments with her children. Scene: Karen arguing with Nancy.
Police- At the beginning of the episode, the police (especially hopper) are seen to be lazy. Hopper is shown to be a slob and does not care about Joyce’s concerns regarding Will. However, when we are first introduced to Hopper we see a childrens drawing, hinting a crisis in his life. Scene: Hopper at home.
Government- We see a different side to the government. An experiment is taking place including a child. We are open to the conspiracies of the government. Scene: Eleven’s escape.
Character | Information |
Joyce Byers | Major or Minor Character? Major character as she highlights the disappearance of Will. Stereotype? She can be seen as a stereotypical single mother who is struggling to look after her children, juggle jobs and keep her house clean. Characteristics?
Contribution to Narrative? Forces other character to recognise Will’s disappearance and tries to solve it. |
Jim Hopper | Major or Minor Character? Major character Stereotype? Stereotypical lazy american cop but turns into a hero with a complex past. Characteristics?
Contribution to Narrative? Begins to search for Will and realises his disappearance is a serious issue. |
Mike Wheeler | Major or Minor Character? Major character Stereotype? Stereotypically a nerd who enjoys the AV club, however, out of all his friends, he seems to hold the most authority. Characteristics?
Contribution to Narrative? Highlights the importance of Will’s disappearance and encourages the boys to try and find him. |
Dustin Henderson | Major or Minor Character? Minor character Stereotype? Stereotypical nerd but has the strength to not be fazed by bullies. Characteristics?
Contribution to Narrative? Gives the show comic relief but also highlights being a victim of bullying due to a health problem. |
Lucas Sinclair | Major or Minor Character? Minor character Stereotype? No real stereotype other than the fact he may be slightly nerdy. Characteristics?
Contribution to Narrative? Lucas almost distracts from WIll when he first disappears a she is too busy arguing with Dustin. |
Will Byers | Major or Minor Character? Major Stereotype? Stereotypical young timid boy. Characteristics?
Contribution to Narrative?
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Eleven | Major or Minor Character? Major character Stereotype? No stereotype, she is confused to be a boy when she is a girl and has supernatural powers. Characteristics?
Contribution to Narrative? Eleven is the main focus of a narrative strand. She is strong, showing the supernatural theme within the show. |
Jonathan Byers | Major or Minor Character? Major character Stereotype? Teenage reject, seen as a creep. Characteristics?
Contribution to Narrative? Will’s brother, calms Joyce down in a tense situation. |
Nancy Wheeler | Major or Minor Character? Major character Stereotype?
Characteristics?
Contribution to Narrative? Mike’s sister, contributes to another narrative strand. Shows normality within show. |
Steve Harrington | Major or Minor Character? Minor character Stereotype?
Characteristics?
Contribution to Narrative? Nancy’s boyfriend. Cliche character of show. |
Barbara Holland | Major or Minor Character? Minor characters Stereotype?
Characteristics?
Contribution to Narrative? Nancy’s best friend. The reasoning in the show, |
Benny Hammond | Major or Minor Character? Minor character Stereotype?
Characteristics?
Contribution to Narrative? Looks after eleven when she escapes. Gets shot by government. |
Mr Clarke | Major or Minor Character? Minor character Stereotype?
Characteristics?
Contribution to Narrative? Teaches the boys and gives them equipment |
Benny Hammond | Major or Minor Character? Stereotype? Characteristics? Contribution to Narrative? |
Connie Frazier (Social Worker) | Major or Minor Character? Minor character Stereotype?
Characteristics?
Contribution to Narrative? Shoots Benny. |
The Scientists | Major or Minor Character? Minor Stereotype?
Characteristics?
Contribution to Narrative? Listen to radioactive signals and try to find alien. |
Ted Wheeler | Major or Minor Character? Minor Stereotype?
Characteristics?
Contribution to Narrative? Mike’s dad who shows the contrast between Karen |
Karen Wheeler | Major or Minor Character? Minor Stereotype?
Characteristics?
Contribution to Narrative? Mike and Nancy’s mum, tries to enforce authority. |
