Analysis of a Television Program with Social Themes - Essay Example

? Analysis of a Television Program with Social Themes The current paper aims to present an analysis of a television program in terms of addressing the need to provide a background of the television program. The television program that was chosen for this paper is Little House on the Prairie. As stipulated, the brief introduction would provide elements that include the title of the program, as well as the program type and the social theme that was identified. Subsequent portions will address the description and explanation of the social theme, the non-verbal communication patterns observed and explanation of its meanings, as well as the interpretation of its applicability to the society. The concluding portion summarizes and highlights the points that were discussed as required. Analysis of a Television Program with Social Theme Brief Introduction The television program to be evaluated and used for the current paper is entitled “Little House on the Prairie” which stories revolve on the Ingalls family and the setting is the late 1800s family’s house which is situated at the farm in Walnut Grove, Minnesota (CBS Interactive Inc., 2012). The television series was aired in 1974 as a western drama, but its popularity was due to its ability to make the shows interesting with intermittent comedy, heart-warming family scenes that present diverse scenarios of social themes ranging from struggling through economic and financial difficulties, family values and traditions, friendship and faith. A social theme that was presented in one of the episodes focused on social interaction, as well as family unity and close bonds, amidst difficulties and trials. Description and Explanation of Social Themes The social themes focused on the family as a close-unit of social structure composed of the father, mother and their children. In the program, the father is Charles Ingalls, played by Michael Landon; while the mother is Caroline Ingalls, played by Karen Grassle. The children are Mary, Laura, Carrie, Freddie, and Grace. There are three adopted children in subsequent episodes to total seven children in all. Due to the large family composed of many members, the social themes of poverty, struggle, and financial difficulties abound. However, family values of love, support, camaraderie, unity, and faith always persevered. In the episode entitled “A Harvest of Friends”, the father, Charles Ingalls had to work overtime and contract diverse duties with the objective of purchasing the deed to the farm where the family recently moved into. Despite being tired and exhausted from being the sole breadwinner, Charles managed to spend time with his family like joining the rest of the family members at the picnic. In a scene where a kite was caught in a tree, Charles went up the tree to get it. However, due to exhaustion and loss of strength, Charles apparently slipped and fell breaking his ribs. Due to the injury, Charles was unable to work and tend the field and therefore the collateral for the deed, the oxen, was forfeited and would not be returned until payment was made within a stipulated time frame. It is at this situation when the family bonded together, and unexpectedly, members of the local community who knew the family and what happened to Charles, assisted in finding ways and means to get back the oxen and pay for the farm’s deed. The theories of social interaction were shown in play as members, not only of the family, united to achieve a common goal, for the benefit of the family. The values of love, support, camaraderie, unity, and faith amidst adversity prevailed. Non-Verbal Communication Patterns and Explanation of Meanings Since the setting of the program was in the late 1880s, the predominance in non-verbal cues was exemplified in the modes of dress which had to cater to the requirements of the time period. As such, the ladies were seen to use bonnets or costume hats of the defined period, colonial dresses with small flowery patterns and the neckline almost at the base of the throat, careful not to reveal any daring part of the female’s body. Likewise, the lengths of the dresses were almost to the feet and were mostly loose in the skirt pattern. As for the male characters, work clothes were at their simplest, like plain t-shirts and loose pants and sometimes, with suspenders. In scenarios where there is a need to don a formal attire, male characters were at their best in three-piece suit and a hat. For the particular episode, since Charles Ingalls was depicted to take various tasks, the dress codes used were primarily work clothes and women, as well, wore their simple prairie clothes and bonnets. As for other non-verbal communication patterns, it was observed that the characters followed cues of distance, space (in communicating with other characters), frequent use of the nod, smile (facial expression), gestures of respect for the elderly (kisses, hand-shake for characters of the same social class). The reason for the abundance of these non-verbal cues is that the time and the setting requires limited use of technological advancement and applications which were not yet present at that time. Further, since the family belongs to an average to below average social class, where the father undertakes manual labor as a source of livelihood, this era depicts conservatism in action and behavior and requires observing space and distance in communication patterns (both verbal and non-verbal). Likewise, as indicated, the problem of Charles, in terms of the need to take in more tasks to pay off the deed to the farm and to redeem the oxen, was known in the local community; which is a manifestation of close community ties, exemplified in a rural community setting. Therefore, through social interaction, the spirit of generosity and camaraderie were actively practiced, conforming to the social structure theory and social interaction (Schaefer, 2011) of the time. Conclusion The current discourse effectively achieved its defined objectives of presenting a television program that depicts a social theme through evaluating the social themes of social interaction and family structure at Little House in the Prairie. The nonverbal communication patterns that were observed were likewise presented and interpreted in terms of linking social theories to predominant non-verbal cues and patterns that enforce applicability of the social themes that were discussed. Despite depicting the setting of the television program in the late 1880s, it could be deduced that the same social themes that focus on the values and traditions shared by the family and of rural communities continue to pervade societies at present times. References CBS Interactive Inc. (2012). Little House in the Prairie. Retrieved August 28, 2012, from tv.com: http://www.tv.com/shows/little-house-on-the-prairie/ Schaefer, R. (2011). Sociology: A Brief Introduction. Boston: McGraw Hill. Read More