Postmodernism & Deutschland 83: blog tasks

Media Magazine - A Postmodern Reimagining of the Past

1) What were the classic media representations of the Cold War?

A stereotypical good vs evil binary opposition 

2) Why does Deutschland 83 provide a particularly good example for postmodern analysis? 

As it shows realistic events of the history of the Cold War to show a dramatic narrative and shape audiences perception of truth 

3) Pick out some of the aspects of the opening of episode 1 and explain why they are significant.

The setting immediately establishes east Germany and how its inferior to west Germany showing it through the supermarket scene and barbecue scene 

4) How does the party scene at Martin's mum's house subvert stereotypes of East Germany in the Cold War?

As it shows a house party with all friends but east Germany was presented as strict on surveillance and a lack of freedom 

5) What aspects of the episode set in West Germany offer postmodern elements?

The use of intertextuality as the show references various culture aspects from the 1980s

6) Finally, how does the article apply postmodern theory to Deutschland 83 and link it to the potential target audience?

It analyses elements of the show like intertextuality and this shows the complexity of the divided Germany attracting target audiences like people who are interested in the Cold War 

Postmodernism Factsheet

1) Read the section on Strinati's five ways to define postmodernity. What examples are provided of the breakdown of the distinction between culture and society (media-isation)?

The breakdown of distinction between culture and society, an emphasis on style and the expense of substance and content, distinction between high culture and popular culture, confusions over time and space, the decline of meta narratives 

2) What is Fredric Jameson's idea of 'historical deafness'? How can the idea of 'historical deafness' be applied to Deutschland 83?

A reduced sense to history and a reduced sense to connect to the past 

3) What examples and theories are provided for the idea of 'style over substance'?

For example people are strongly influenced by branding, Jameson argues this creates a cultural deafness 

4) What examples from music are provided for the breakdown of the distinction between art and popular culture? Can this be applied to Deutschland 83?

Pop music often samples classical music, advertising makes reference to visual art 

5) What is bricolage? What examples of bricolage can be found in Deutschland 83?

Juxtaposing old and new texts as in Deutschland 83 the music and clothes can show a bricolage 

6) How can the audience pleasures of Deutschland 83 be linked to postmodernism? Read 'The decline of meta-narratives' and 'Media texts and the postmodern' to help answer this.

7) Now look at page 4 of the factsheet. How does Deutschland 83 demonstrate aspects of the postmodern in its construction and ideological positioning?



8) Which key scenes from Deutschland 83 best provide examples of postmodernism? Why?

The scene when Martin is given his cover identity as it brings aspects of post modernism through its spy genre