DeTaILeD eSsAy PlAn

'A criminal is guilty of crime or serious offense; "criminal in the sight of God and man". How are the 'troublesome' represented in 'Prison Break'?

For my independant study i have decided to focus on the the text of Prison Break. I've chosen Prison Break as my main text because it's an thriller/drama series which combines traditional as well as modern ideologies to life behind bars and indulges the audience into a world of corruption, death and revenge

Prison Break is an American Television Series on Fox . The story revolves around a man who was sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit and the lengths that his brother will go to save him.The origins of Prison Break began as a concept of a man deliberately getting himself sent to prison in order to break out again. Director Paul Scheuring adapted the inital idea until he came up with the story of the wrongfully accused brother, and the conspiracy subplot (G)

Prison Break fits into the genre of ‘Thriller’. This is because ‘Prison Break’ plays on the audience’s anxiety throughout each episode. Each episode follows a different stage to the escape however there is always an obstacle to overcome, keeping the audience on edge and always involved in the series. Furthermore, Prison Break has elements of soap. This is through the different events that always take place. There is the ever-present attraction between Michael and the doctor however the tension that arises through their circumstances. You also have the sub-plots that take place with Veronica, attempting to uncover the truth and LJ, Lincoln’s son who becomes a target for govt. agents (G, A)

Prison inmates are generally regarded as being menaces to society however in this series the inmates are seen as victims of social stereotypes and corruption, thus causing empathy and thought amongst the audience. Prison escapes have been ever present in society since the 1900s and prior. Some include the ‘notorious 6’ who escaped from a death row prison in the 1980s . Prison Break raises issues about the legitimacy of the American govt. which links in with today’s society as the Bush Administration is continually brandished as being corrupt

(S,H,P)

The major ideology presented in Prison Break is do not always trust you’re senior. In Prison Break Lincoln is accused of murder of the Vice-Presidents brother. However, as the series unwinds the audience becomes aware of a corrupt US govt. In this way, the audience is being told to always fight for what you believe in, never give in till you find out the truth and to be aware of corruption amongst your govt. Additionally, a corrupt US govt. plays of stereotypes of today’s society and helps to raise issues of politics to society and make them aware of their own potential govt. legitimacy and allows for checks and balances. Furthermore, Prison Break attempts to portray reality to life behind bars. In this way it educates the audience to life on prison and the occurrences that take place for racial hated, to drugs to corrupt prison guards. (V/I, A)

Other texts that will be useful to my study are Frank Darabont's 90's classic 'The Shawshank Redemption', as Prison Break (series 1) is widely considered to be an modern-adapdation of 'Shawshank', ranging from the plot with both protagonists in 'PB' and 'TSR' wrongly convicted of crimes they didn't commit to the other characters from Red and Brookes in 'Shawshank...' to Sucre and Westmoreland in 'Prison Break' and the roles they serve. As well as 'Shawshank', John Sturges 'The Great Escape' will be of use to me as this epic was the first real movie to deal with 'prison-style escapes', although different in context both texts deal with sensitive issues and through the characters situations almost evoke empathy amongst the audience. Lastly, ITV's female-based prison drama, 'Bad Girl's', will be useful to me, although not focussing on an escape and set in an female prison, the series deals with the realities of life behind bars and the text will be used as a useful comaparison the representations of the characters to those in Prison Break (H, A, G)

However, Bad Girls endured much criticism over its storylines and characters during its run. Many real-life prison officers have argued that whilst bullying, drug use and prostitution are unfortunate and inevitable parts of prison life, they are never as bad as the show portrays them. Two incidents in the series' run (the death of Maxi Purvis and the death of Jim Fenner) have seen senior officers demoted for a lack of supervision and organisation. The prison advice bureau has argued that under normal circumstances these officers would be sacked immediately rather than have their rank reduced. The antics of "The Costa Cons", with their frequent escape attempts and smuggling of drugs and alcohol into the prison is also highly unlikely.

Interview with the director

WS: What kind of research did you do into prison life?

SCHEURING: I did a lot of different things, looking at prisons, scouting them. But there were two big resources for me personally. One was reading a lot of books written by the incarcerated to get a first-hand, man-on-the-ground feel for the prison, particularly the parlance, you really learn the language. Prison lexicon is such a unique language. And there are a lot of resources online, like prisontalk.com; it just humanises the whole thing.

ChArAcTeRs

Michael Scofield

CRIME: Armed Robbery
SENTENCE: Five years

Michael is represented as a 'knight in shining armour’ as He deliberately gets himself put into Fox River in order To save his brother. Throughout the series and as Michael’s character unravels he’s represented as a genius With one motive to free in his eyes his 'innocent brother’.

Lincoln Burrows

ALIAS: Linc the Sinc
CRIME: First degree murder, Aggravated discharge of firearm
SENTENCE: Death by electrocution

Lincoln is portrayed as the murderer of the Vice-President’s Brother. However, as the series unwinds it becomes Apparent that Lincoln was ‘framed’ and that all the efforts Of Michael and his attorney are for a right cause. Lincoln also breaks away from an uncaring stereotype as He loves his son and continually wants to see and help him Up to his ‘pending execution

Fernando Sucre

CRIME: One count of Aggravated Robbery
SENTENCE: Five years

Fernando Sucre is Michael’s cell-mate and plays a key role In the escape. He covers for Michael on numerous Occasions as well as risking his livelihood. Sucre comes Across as a proud Hispanic male who defends his Heritage. However, he is on numerous occasions teased Of his race which plays on American stereotypes Of Mexican/Spanish immigrants

John Abruzzi

CRIME: Murder (2 counts) Conspiracy to commit murder (2 counts)
SENTENCE: 120 years

John Abruzzi is a ruthful mobster instrumental to Providing a mode of transport in the escape through his Vast underworld contacts. Abruzzi represents A gangster with similar stances to characters from films Such as ‘Scarface’ and ‘Goodfellas’. Abruzzi is a vehicle for Cold-blooded inmate who will go to all lengths to get What he wants

Theodore Bagwell

ALIAS: T-Bag
CRIME: Six counts of Kidnapping, Rape and First Degree Murder
SENTENCE: Incarceration for the rest of his natural life

T-Bag is a complex character. Convicted of rape and Preying on little children his reputation is known as violent In jail T-Bag turns to homosexuals to guide him and plays On youngsters. In this way his character helps Prison Break to show reality as homosexuals in jail seeking Power and assurance is an everyday occurrence

Benjamin Franklin

ALIAS: C-Note
CRIME: Possession of Stolen Goods
SENTENCE: Eight years

C-Note is a man for his family. He was wrongly kicked of The US army for standing for his principles and then had To deliver illegal goods to support his family leading to jail Sentence. In jail to begin with C-Note is part of a Black group running undercover operations Throughout the prison. This plays on the stereotype of Black males running prison through their underground Activities

Charles Westmoreland

ALIAS: D.B. Cooper
CRIME: Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking, Vehicular Invasion, Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless Homicide
SENTENCE: Sixty years to life

Charles Westmoreland is better known as the infamous ‘D.B Cooper’. To begin with Charles is your model inmate Quietly going about his business and serving his sentence However he finds out about is sick daughters pending Death and joins the escape. Charles represents a man Desperate to support his family, no matter his circumstances

RePrEsEnTaTiOnS

In Prison Break many different characters and personnel are being represented in many different ways which both challenge social and historical perspectives towards these individuals

There are 7 main inmates that are followed and these are all represented differently. You have Michael who represents middle-class America. He is highly-intelligent structural engineer who deliberately gets himself in prison to help free his brother. He is represented as one man who will go to desperate lengths and defies the laws of reason.

You also have other inmates such as C-Note and Sucre. C-note is a black male whilst Sucre is a Hispanic male. Both these characters conform to stereotypes of the ethnicity as they were both imprisoned for robbery and possession of stolen goods. However, as the series unravels the audience becomes aware of their circumstances and how they were only trying to provide for their families and that both were wrongly set up.

Additionally, the audience is presented with a corrupt American govt. As the series concludes the conspiracy all comes clear. A group referred to as the ‘Company’ secretly murder the president allowing the corrupt Vice-President into power as well all her associates. This presents a real day look at American Politics as the US govt. today is continually brandished as ‘corrupt’ and potentially involved in a conspiracy surrounding 9/11. (R, A)

LaTiNo'S

Latinos are a minority that are faced with this character distortion repeatedly. They insist that most English-language media paint an overwhelmingly negative portrait of their lives plagued by hopeless poverty, crime, and violence. Latin adults report that the majority of the images "failed to reflect their experiences with sensitivity or realism."

Historically, most mainstream media vehicles such as television, radio, film, newspapers, and magazines have ignored the Latin community. Latin-oriented news events, stories, and programs were confined to Spanish-language media and smaller, community-oriented newspapers. In recent years, Latinos have gained more exposure on the news, however, they are discussed in reference to social issues including welfare, illegal immigration, or criminal activity. This kind of negative exposure . In addition, Latin youth are typically portrayed in news stories involving them as drug dealers or users, gang members, teen mothers, and high school dropouts.

Television consistently features Latinos in minor roles, often as maids, janitors, drug lords or gang members rather than featuring them in lead roles portraying upper or middle class citizens. "Latinos in television and film are often used as background to offset other main characters." At best, they come off as uneducated and underpaid citizens of ridicule and at worst, they are depicted as immoral, lazy, or even criminals.

"The media affects people most when they do not have frames of reference to help them interpret what they see." The mainstream news and television media should make a deliberate effort to include more positive stories and references of young Latinos as assets to society, rather than focusing on the negative stories and images that have dominated their coverage. This may help stop negative stereotypes from perpetuating, thus breaking the cycle that causes tension and animosity within society (S, H, V/I, R)

Prison Break, whilst depicting a latino in prison for armed robbery, challenges the stereotypes associated with hispanics and places 'Sucre' in a leading role in the series. 'Sucre' plays the helper as he aides Michael in his cell and planning the escape. Addtionally, he plays a key role in providing aides to ensure the escape goes ahead. Lastly, as the series unravels the viewer becomes aware that 'Sucre' was framed for his crime and was only trying to provide for his girlfriend as society didn't allow him into high-esteem job, leading him to steal minimal amounts of money. (H, R)

AfRiCaN aMeRiCaNs

Many people believe that a certain depiction of black people characterises all black people, which is certainly not the case. This is very dangerous because this increases stereotyping and discrimination. The viewing public pays for movies and therefore movie directors have to tailor their product so that the majority of viewers will enjoy, and agree with the ideas behind the film.

The majority almost always means white America so even African American based movies are made for white audiences. Because of this, the representations of blacks in the medium of film are almost always white ideas of who black people are, not who they really are

The film 'The Color Purple' has been the center of controversy since it was made in 1985. Many people feel the film is a terrible portrayal of black family life and that it is stereotypical in its depiction of black men as evil and brutal tyrants who imprison and mentally and verbally abuse woman. Consequently, most men despise the film and can not believe that so many women love it (S, H, V/I, R, A)

Prison Break, whilst depicting a African American in prison for possession of stolen goods, challenges and reinforces stereotypes associated with 'afrtican americans' and places 'C-Note' in a leading role in the series.'C-Note' plays a helper in the series as he aides Michael in his attempted escape plan. Earlier in the series he also provides Michael with some substances to help aide the escape. C-Note begins as a stereotypical african-american male as he carries out undercover operations in prison. However, as the series inravels the audience becomes aware of C-Note being framed in the American army forcing him to distribute illegeal goods in order to provide for his family (R, H)

ThEoRiStS

VlAdImIr PrOpP

Vladimir Propp was a Russian structuralist/theorist who analysed the basic plot components of Russian folk tales to identify their simplest elements. Propp's theory discovered that there are ONLY 8 broad character types in the one hundred tales he analysed: Propp's theory can be applied to Prison Break in the ways the characters appear on screen:

The villain- The 'Company'/corrupt American govt./T-Bag

The donor- Sucre

The (magical) helper- Sucre/T-bag/Lincoln/Charles/C-note/Tweener/Abuzzi

The princess- Sara Tancredi (doctor)

The hero - Michael Scofield

UseFul LiNkS

CHARACTER PROFILES

http://www.fox.com/prisonbreak/bios/This site provided the information that allowed me to build up an analysis of the different characters in Prison Break

OTHER TEXTS: THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawshank_RedemptionThis site provided with me with background information on The Shawshank Redemption as this is a text directly related to Prison Break

VLADIMIR PROPP

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ProppThis site provided with me substantial information on Russian genre-theorist Vladimir Propp. Propp identified different character roles

REPRESENTATION OF LATINOS

http://icsdev.soe.umich.edu/confur/stories/reader/fall/ody$9f4e66bbfe551476a07ab3ed2d99c9ceThis site provided me with information on the typical representations of Latinos

CONTEXT: REPRESENTATIONS OF AFRICAN/AMERICANS

http://www.wowessays.com/dbase/ac3/ena8.shtmlThis site provided me with information on the representations of African/Americans

DIRECTOR: PAUL SCHEURING

http://www.worldscreen.com/interviewscurrent.phpfilename=scheuring406.htm This site provided me with very detailed and informative information on Prison Break from director Paul Scheuring

OTHER USEFUL LINKS USED

http://icsdev.soe.umich.edu/confur/stories/reader/fall/ody$9f4e66bbfe551476a07ab3ed2d99c9ce (This article relates to the representation of Latinos in the media. This relates to my text as 'Sucre' plays a leading role, challenging typical stereotypes)

http://archive.salon.com/news/col/crouch/2000/04/19/images/index.html?CP=SAL&DN=110 (Interesting article about the representation of black people in the media, claiming there is now equality which challenges most modern theories)

http://mediaknowall.com/alevel.html (Website designed for A-Level media students with loads of info on representation from age to gender)

http://www.uiowa.edu/~commstud/resources/GenderMedia/index.html (focuses on gender, race and ethnicity in the media)

BoOkS

Majority in the Minority Expanding the Representation of Latinos

By Brian Coyle, Jeanett Castellanos, Lee Jones'

The United States is undergoing a radical change in its demographics. It is estimated that by 2020, today's ethnic minorities will be the U.S population majority'

'It is projected that Latina/os will be the largest racial and ethnic minority group by the year 2010'

'A comprehensive review of Latina/os student representation in higher education demonstrates slow progress throughout the years'

This book relates to my independant studies as 'Sucre' plays a 'helper' figure in Prison Break. The quotes identified help to outline increased representation of ethnicities in mainstrem television and also outline Sucre's role in the series as a reflection of facts in society

Racial & Ethnic Tensions in American Communities: Poverty, Inequality, & Discrimination

'USA-today Cable News Network found that 53 percent of of black respondants said that African Americans were not fairly depicted in local television crime reports'

'Industry executives noted, however, that there has been a substantial increasein programs having minority representation in recent years'

This books links to my study as 'C-Note' plays an African American prisoner who deals with underground activities within the prison conforming to stereotype. These quotes highlight how African-American appearance in mainstream television has improved in recent years

Surviving Justice: America's wrongfully convicted and exonerated

By Lola Vollen, Dave Eggers

'Prosecutors have a constitutional duty to disclose any evidence that would be favourable to the defence, even if the defence had not requested the information. All this fails to occur, in fact, a study of the first seventy wrongful convictions overturned by DNA evidence found that prosecutional misconduct, in some form or another, in 34 wrongful convictions-nearly 50% of the cases'

This has close relations my text. In 'Prison Break' Lincoln, one of the main protagonists is an example of being wrongfully convicted. Furthermore, an corrupt govt. and prosecution hide information breaking constitutional requirements. The quote hightlights the situation Lincoln finds himself in.

Wrongly Convicted: Perspectives on Failed Justice

By Saundra D. Westervelt, John A. Humphrey

'The American criminal justice system contains numerous safeguards to prevent the conviction of innocent persons. The Bill of Rights provides nineteen separate rights for the alleged criminal offender, including the right to effective legal representation and the right to be judged without regard to race or creed. Despite these safeguards, wrongful convictions persist, and the issue has reverberated in the national debate over capital punishment