Homeland and its use of bipolar disorder for sensationalist and dramatic effect
Homeland and its use of bipolar disorder for sensationalist and dramatic effect
When a lead character in a critically acclaimed and award-winning television programme is depicted as a proficient and meticulous heroine with a mental disorder, it is crucial to examine if this reflects a change in the media depiction of people with mental illness. This article employs framing analysis to examine the portrayal of lead CIA agent with bipolar disorder, Carrie Mathison, in Homeland. Although the show did initially associate competence, intellect and astuteness to this character, as it progressed, the framing decisions used for dramatic and sensational purposes ultimately presented Mathison within the usual stereotypical depictions: as impulsive, irrational, unpredictable, unstable, dangerous and disordered. Given the popularity of the show, responsible depictions should take priority over dramatic effect at the expense of a character with mental illness because sufferers may be deterred in speaking about their illness and seeking appropriate treatment if such negative themes persist.
bipolar disorder, framing theory, Mental illness, television, textual analysis
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Wondemaghen, Meron
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Wondemaghen, Meron
ffb7f092-1b45-4e9d-94d5-52484047961f
Abstract
When a lead character in a critically acclaimed and award-winning television programme is depicted as a proficient and meticulous heroine with a mental disorder, it is crucial to examine if this reflects a change in the media depiction of people with mental illness. This article employs framing analysis to examine the portrayal of lead CIA agent with bipolar disorder, Carrie Mathison, in Homeland. Although the show did initially associate competence, intellect and astuteness to this character, as it progressed, the framing decisions used for dramatic and sensational purposes ultimately presented Mathison within the usual stereotypical depictions: as impulsive, irrational, unpredictable, unstable, dangerous and disordered. Given the popularity of the show, responsible depictions should take priority over dramatic effect at the expense of a character with mental illness because sufferers may be deterred in speaking about their illness and seeking appropriate treatment if such negative themes persist.
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e-pub ahead of print date: 10 January 2018
Keywords:
bipolar disorder, framing theory, Mental illness, television, textual analysis
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Local EPrints ID: 417749
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/417749
ISSN: 1035-0330
PURE UUID: 9166d73b-4140-4e6d-8c8f-254683115d74
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Date deposited: 13 Feb 2018 17:30
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 18:18
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Author:
Meron Wondemaghen
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