The Wire and its characters An examination of David Simon's The Wire in relation to character engagement, and what significance its characters serve for the success of the serial
Author
Knudsen, Emma Krogh
Term
2. Term (Master)
Education
Publication year
2020
Pages
67
Abstract
Denne afhandling undersøger HBO-serien The Wire med fokus på, hvordan dens figurer skaber publikums engagement og bidrager til seriens succes, i modstrid med skaber David Simons udtalte vægt på byen Baltimore som seriens egentlige centrum. Med udgangspunkt i Murray Smiths teori om “the structure of sympathy” (herunder følelsessimulering samt affektiv og motorisk mimicry), Jason Mittells arbejde om karakterers rolle i kompleks, serialiseret tv og Margrethe Bruun Vaages analyser af antihelte (bl.a. “fictional relief” og “reality checks”), anvender afhandlingen disse rammer i en næranalyse af fem figurer: Jimmy McNulty, Kima Greggs, Omar Little, Roland “Prez” Prezbylewski og Reginald “Bubbles” Cousins. Analysen vurderer, hvorfor tilskuere kan finde figurerne tiltalende og give dem deres loyalitet, og drøfter resultaterne i forhold til Simons intentioner. På baggrund af den præsenterede teori og analyse konkluderes, at figurerne i The Wire effektivt styrer publikums følelser og er uundværlige for at fastholde interessen; Simons byfokus er forståeligt, men en nedtoning af figurers betydning fremstår problematisk.
This thesis examines HBO’s The Wire to assess how its characters generate audience engagement and contribute to the show’s success, challenging creator David Simon’s emphasis on Baltimore as the series’ central subject. Drawing on Murray Smith’s “structure of sympathy” (including emotional simulation and affective/motor mimicry), Jason Mittell’s account of characters in complex serialized television, and Margrethe Bruun Vaage’s work on antiheroes (including “fictional relief” and “reality checks”), the study applies these frameworks to close analyses of five characters: Jimmy McNulty, Kima Greggs, Omar Little, Roland “Prez” Prezbylewski, and Reginald “Bubbles” Cousins. It considers why viewers find these figures appealing and grant them allegiance, and weighs the results against Simon’s stated intentions. Based on the presented theory and analysis, the thesis concludes that The Wire’s characters strongly shape audience emotions and are indispensable for sustaining interest; while Simon’s city-centered view is understandable, downplaying character focus is problematic.
[This summary has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project (PDF)]
Documents