Compelling Characters An analysis and discussion of the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why in relation to character engagement and the depiction of suicide
Translated title
Compelling Characters An analysis and discussion of the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why in relation to character engagement and the depiction of suicide: An analysis and discussion of the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why in relation to character engagement and the depiction of suicide
Author
Knudsen, Helene
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2019
Submitted on
2019-06-03
Pages
70
Abstract
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan Netflix-serien 13 Reasons Why skaber karakterengagement, og hvordan dens skildring af selvmord kan påvirke unge seere. Med afsæt i Jason Mittells kognitivistiske tilgang til formel karakteranalyse (bl.a. genkendelse, alignment og allegiance) gennemgås hovedkaraktererne Hannah Baker og Clay Jensen for at forstå, hvilke æstetiske greb der knytter publikum følelsesmæssigt til dem. Samtidig anvendes Gary Solomons arbejde om cinematerapi til at vurdere seriens mulige terapeutiske værdi som afsæt for samtaler om svære emner. Specialet sætter analysen ind i en bredere debat om mediepåvirkning, medieansvar og retningslinjer, herunder en kritisk diskussion af den grafiske selvmordsscene og presseomtalen af serien. På baggrund af analysen peger arbejdet på, at seere typisk oplever engagement snarere end identifikation med karaktererne, samt at serien kan medføre både potentielt skadelige og potentielt hjælpsomme effekter. Den rummer også positive, håbefulde budskaber, men sårbare unge kan være særlig påvirkelige og bør se serien sammen med en betroet voksen. Specialet efterlyser en mere nuanceret formidling af forskningsresultater og præciserer behovet for fortsat forskning og tydelige medieregler.
This thesis examines how the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why fosters character engagement and how its portrayal of suicide may affect young viewers. Drawing on Jason Mittell’s cognitivist approach to formal character analysis (including recognition, alignment, and allegiance), it analyzes protagonists Hannah Baker and Clay Jensen to identify the aesthetic devices that elicit emotional responses. In parallel, Gary Solomon’s work on cinematherapy is used to consider the show’s potential therapeutic value as a catalyst for conversations about difficult topics. The study situates these analyses within wider debates on media influence, responsibility, and guidelines, including a critical discussion of the graphic suicide scene and press coverage of the series. The analysis indicates that viewers tend to experience engagement rather than identification with the characters and that the series can have both potentially harmful and potentially helpful effects. It also communicates positive, hopeful messages, while acknowledging that vulnerable adolescents may be particularly sensitive and should view the series with a trusted adult. The thesis calls for more balanced reporting of research findings and underscores the need for ongoing research and clear media guidance.
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