The Inbetweeners

What problems are there?

Broken family – dad left mum

Left private school and has to start another one – worried

Underage drinking – yearly drink – tradition

Bullying – “briefcase wanker” “that briefcase makes me want to punch you”– school bully Mark Donavon

Teen problems

·         Boys want girls

·         Friend fights

·         Heartbreak

What is the overall representation of British youth in this episode?

Good with technology – take pictures of Will on the toilet

Rude – humorous

Dependent on their parents – “can I have £20?”

Want to construct a different identity to fit in

Sex mad

Will is posh and his friends are fairly well spoken – Mark Donavan is the stark contrast of Will

What theories can you apply to this episode?

Gramsci – underage drinking is wrong – constant barriers

Utopia – when his friends come round after being humiliated at the charity

Deviant youth – The Inbetweeners are the norm unlike Harry Brown

Moral panic – trying to buy alcohol

How are they compared to the other youths?

Still quite mean for no reason – shout at Will in the corridor

But not as violent

Donavan – “she’s sweet and fragile” and is kind to parents – respects authority – sensitive side – not like in Harry Brown. He’s similar to Moses

Popular and unpopular – stereotypical popular hierarchy

Class hierarchy

·         Will = upper middle class – came from a private school

·         Neil = “your house smells of being poor” small middle class

·         Jay = in the middle – goes on caravan holidays – w/c and has w/c attitudes – this is seen as vulgar

·         Simon = in the middle

Essay Plan

“discuss how their identity has been mediated”