From Heaven to Hell. Aspects of American Self-Perception in 21st Century Broadcast Television

On the basis of the series 24, 7th Heaven, and The O.C.

Trabajo de Seminario , 2013 , 19 Páginas , Calificación: A

Estudios de América - Cultura y Estudios regionales

21st century American broadcast television series are, of course, works of fiction and thus not subject to an accurate depiction of American reality. However, regardless of its fictional elements, every series conveys values and ideals which reflect real-life value propositions that are essential to American identity in the 21st century. Furthermore, the key elements of American self-perception can be inferred by examining the self-portrayal of Americans in American television series.

Therefore, this paper seeks to inquire how central aspects of American self-perception are addressed in various successful television series and whether traditional American values have been preserved. It will focus on the following three series: "24", "7th Heaven", and "The O.C.", as each of them is exemplary for a different facet of American self-perception. Crime drama series "24" provides a detailed discourse on exceptionalism and the role it plays with regard to patriotism as well as an elaborate account of the discrepancy between the two different faces of America. Family drama series "7th Heaven" draws on Puritan values and emphasizes their applicability in the United States of the 21st century. Teenage drama series "The O.C." addresses the preservation of a class system and class divisions in modern-day American society as opposed to the notion of classlessness.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Introduction
• 24: Racing Against the Clock
  • Plot Synopsis
  • Aspects of American Self-Perception Conveyed by 24
    • Exceptionalism as a Means to Justify Patriotism
    • Portrayal of the "Two Americas“ (Fulbright)
  • Critical Reception
• 7th Heaven: Punishment Is Not Always Bad ("Who Nose")
  • Plot Synopsis
  • Aspects of American Self-Perception Conveyed by 7th Heaven
    • Strict Morality as a Key Element for Happiness
    • Responsibility of Wealth
    • The Importance of Education and Hard Work
  • Critical Reception
• The O.C.: "What I Like About Rich Kids? Nothing!" ("Premiere")
  • Plot Synopsis
  • Aspects of American Self-Perception Conveyed by The O.C.
    • The Importance of Class and Class Markers
    • Equality as a Prerequisite for the American Dream
  • Critical Reception
• Conclusion
• Works Cited

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This paper aims to investigate how central aspects of American self-perception are portrayed in various successful television series and whether traditional American values have been preserved. The analysis focuses on three series: 24, 7th Heaven, and The O.C., each representing a different facet of American self-perception. The paper explores how these series convey values and ideals that reflect real-life value propositions essential to American identity in the 21st century.

• American exceptionalism and its relationship to patriotism
• The portrayal of the "two Americas" and social divisions
• The role of Puritan values in contemporary American society
• The importance of class and class markers in the American Dream
• The preservation of traditional American values in modern television series

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The chapter on 24 explores the series' depiction of American patriotism, which is closely linked to the notion of American exceptionalism and fundamental American values such as freedom and justice. It examines how the series portrays the discrepancy between the two different faces of America, as mentioned by Senator J. William Fulbright in his conclusion to The Arrogance of Power. The chapter analyzes how the series justifies the use of torture and other questionable measures in the name of national security, highlighting the extreme form of patriotism presented in 24.

The chapter on 7th Heaven focuses on the series' emphasis on Puritan values and their applicability in the United States of the 21st century. It examines how the series portrays strict morality as a key element for happiness, the responsibility of wealth, and the importance of education and hard work. The chapter analyzes how the series presents a traditional view of American family values and the role of religion in contemporary American society.

The chapter on The O.C. examines the series' portrayal of the preservation of a class system and class divisions in modern-day American society as opposed to the notion of classlessness. It analyzes how the series presents the importance of class and class markers in the American Dream and the challenges faced by those from different socioeconomic backgrounds. The chapter explores how the series reflects the ongoing debate about social mobility and the role of wealth in American society.

Schlüsselwörter

The keywords and focus themes of the text include American self-perception, broadcast television, 21st century, American exceptionalism, patriotism, "two Americas," Puritan values, class, class markers, American Dream, and social divisions. The text analyzes how these themes are portrayed in the television series 24, 7th Heaven, and The O.C., providing insights into the values and ideals reflected in contemporary American television.

• Universidad: University of Innsbruck (Translation Studies)
• Curso: Looking at America: Inside and Outside Perceptions
• Calificación: A
• Autor: Olivia Benkovic (Autor)
• Año de publicación: 2013
• Páginas: 19
• No. de catálogo: V289080
• ISBN (Ebook): 9783656892861
• ISBN (Libro): 9783656892878
• Idioma: Inglés
• Etiqueta: from, heaven, hell, aspects, american, self-perception, century, broadcast, television