4.4.2

Representations

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Man Like Mobeen - Representations

Man Like Mobeen subvert stereotypes of British Muslims, masculinity, and family, and offers more diverse and authentic representation than typical sitcoms.

Illustrative background for Technical & audio codes as representationIllustrative background for Technical & audio codes as representation ?? "content

Technical & audio codes as representation

  • Technical codes
    • Time-lapse (e.g. waiting outside the mosque) → exaggerates boredom for humour
    • Low-angle pan of the mosque → shows its importance in community life
  • Audio codes
    • Diegetic sound (voices, sirens, dogs) → verisimilitude; everyday Birmingham
  • Iconography
    • Clothing, market stalls, props → realism; signifiers of a close, self-sufficient community
Illustrative background for Representation of ethnicityIllustrative background for Representation of ethnicity ?? "content

Representation of ethnicity

  • The show challenges under-/misrepresentation of British Muslims.
  • It depicts a working-class British Muslim community with authenticity.
    • Mobeen is a British Muslim of South Asian descent, caring for Aqsa after their mother leaves.
    • The friendship group (Mobeen, Eight, Nate) shows racial harmony (Black British + Muslim identities).
  • Jokes about ethnicity highlight cultural tensions, but through self-aware comedy.
  • Later parts of the series address racial profiling and extremism.
Illustrative background for Representation of masculinityIllustrative background for Representation of masculinity ?? "content

Representation of masculinity

  • Mobeen challenges traditional masculinity:
    • Caring, maternal role; responsible for Aqsa
    • Care-worker job; hugs mates; domestic (“highly domesticated”)
  • He also has masculine/“roadman” traits: a street reputation, an ex-drug dealer
    • Dual identity → stereotype questioned, not reinforced
  • Uncles Habib and Shady show traditional older masculinity; mentors but often comic.
  • The show depicts comedy through contradictions (e.g. Habib’s double standards).
Illustrative background for Representation of femininityIllustrative background for Representation of femininity ?? "content

Representation of femininity

  • Aqsa is strong, assertive, and rebellious.
    • She holds power at home; she was also suspended for fighting.
    • She is a mix of stereotype (teen girl tropes) and subversion (dominant, outspoken).
  • Khadijah is confident, prepared, and questions Mobeen = a progressive representation of Muslim women.
    • She is still partly controlled by her father → tension between tradition and agency.
  • Older women are largely absent → a more traditional stereotype.
Illustrative background for Representation of family & communityIllustrative background for Representation of family & community ?? "content

Representation of family & community

  • Family is shown in a non-traditional way:
    • Mobeen, Aqsa, Nate, Eight as a family unit
  • The Muslim community is represented as supportive (uncles trying to help Mobeen).
  • Birmingham/Small Heath is shown as culturally diverse, everyday, and lived-in.
  • It reflects Gilroy’s idea of cosmopolitan conviviality (cultures coexisting positively).
  • Guz Khan aims to give Birmingham a positive, authentic representation.

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1Overview

2Component 1: Section A

3Component 1: Section B

4Component 2: Section A

5Component 2: Section B

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