Discuss how genre, narrative, and discourse are employed to construct representations in Game of Thrones that offer a theory on the nature of crime and/or justice.

This 2000 word assignment is for my third year class about crime and popular film culture. Here are the assignment instructions from the subject guide:

Assessment one: 2000-word essay (50%)

As forms of popular criminology, films and television shows offer us theories on the nature of crime and justice. These theories may examine elements of causation, critique legal systems, endeavour to subvert expectations of justice responses, and so on.

Analysing one film/T.V. show listed in the viewing guide (you may request a film/show outside the guide by contacting your tutor), discuss how genre, narrative, and discourse are employed to construct representations in your chosen film/television show that offer a theory on the nature of crime and/or justice.

You may choose to discuss any theory on the nature of crime and/or justice that you see offered by your cultural artefact. It does not have to be a criminological theory per se, nor does it have to come from within this subject. For instance, you might choose to analyse a film for its representation of crime as a product of capitalism per the work of Mark Fisher, or justice responses as driven by white/patriarchal logics per Aileen Moreton-Robinson.

In undertaking your analysis, you should include discussion of filmic techniques utilised to construct these representations and draw on the required and recommended readings from Weeks 1-4 (inclusive) in addition to conducting your own research.

The purposes of this assignment are:

• To develop your understandings of foundational concepts for the subject;
• To develop the ability to undertake an original criminological analysis of a film/tv show;
• To develop your ability to explain ideas in the course readings;
• To develop the ability to critique readings and ideas constructively;

You will be marked on the following criteria:

• How well does the essay respond to the question?
• How convincing and substantiated is the essay’s central argument?
• How original is the analysis?
• How well is the essay structured?
• How well does the essay integrate appropriate theoretical concepts?
• How well does the essay evidence a critical reading of relevant materials?
• How well is the essay written?
• How well is the referencing executed?

For this essay, I have chosen Game of Thrones as my cultural artefact to analyse hegemonic masculinity, and what it offers on the nature of crime/justice. I have attached my plan which I highly recommend you read through to get a gist of the elements and episodes I want to include. Mainly, I want to focus on the characterdynamics and arc development of Ramsay Bolton and Theon Greyjoy, Jamie Lannister, Tyrion Lannister, and Arya Stark as figures that represent different versions of the hegemonic masculine figure. 

I will also attach the readings that you must use to support the argument. All the Hayward readings helps to define and incorporate how genre, narrative and discourse are used in the show. The rest should also be used to support but Young and Kehoe should really help.

Thank you very much, I appreciate your work 🙂