Introduction
Mass media is a key factor in the life of a modern person. Today it forms a broad problem field, in which each of the aspects needs detailed analytical comprehension and discussion. Research in the field of mass media is always relevant and in demand by society since today not only human practices are rapidly changing but also the person who appeals to the media in search of truths. This work is devoted to a range of problems related to mass media practices and their way of producing and distributing meanings, as exemplified by the series 13 Reasons Why.
Fictional TV shows and series are an important component of modern mass culture. They represent a phenomenon that arose in the 20th century, occupying a significant place in terms of content, time, and function. Their importance in popular culture is associated with several reasons. Their social significance is great since they allow one to carry out certain worldview guidelines, and postulates, and thereby influence the consciousness of viewers. TV series are objectively multifunctional since they allow to convey quasi-communication values. Behavioral models and visual images represented in them are transferred into everyday life. One example of such a modern Netflix show is 13 Reasons Why, a detective drama series based on the novel of the same name by American writer Jay Asher (Cruikshank & Sevigny, 2020). This paper aims to analyze 13 Reasons Why, its social significance and argues that it raises the most important modern problems such as school bullying, psychological and physical abuse, homophobia, and others.
The Specific Features of the Plot
13 Reasons Why differs from other series primarily in that it has not put a single character in the foreground, nor an immediate development of the plot, but problems and topics that are difficult to discuss. The mysterious suicide of 17-year-old Hannah Baker is central and the starting point for the whole story. No one knows why she committed suicide until they listen to the cassettes, on which the girl has dictated all the reasons and carefully explained which people should be blamed for her death. It is possible to listen to them only on an old player, without any acceleration, computers, or Google maps (13 Reasons Why). Instead of the latter, there is an ordinary paper map, according to which the recipients of the cassettes must search for the places that Hannah talks about.
At the very beginning of the first episode, the box of cassettes is found by Clay, a friend of the protagonist who was in love with her. Then it turns out that he is not alone in the game. According to the laws of the genre, the atmosphere is intensified, the pace accelerates, and the turns in the plot become more and more abrupt. With each new side of the tape, Clay seems to be losing his mind. The events of the past life go in parallel with what happens in the life of the school where Hannah studied, after her death (13 Reasons Why). It is worth noting that there are no good and evil, kind and bad heroes, as is often the case in teenage cinema. Causal relationships are revealed gradually, and until the end, it will not be clear what happened and who is to blame, and, most importantly, what will happen to everyone.
The Discussion of Important Social Issues
The main feature of these series is that having watched the first episode, the viewer cannot help but watch the second, and so on. With each new show, the viewer is increasingly forced to ask a question about the toxicity of relationships, pressure on each other, and aggression. 13 Reasons Why took all of these questions and showed where they can lead in the worst-case scenario (Cruikshank & Sevigny, 2020). In terms of education, the show has sorted out how bullying, rumors, insults, fights, and banter can affect a person’s emotional state.
The second issue on which the series stands is sexual violence in all its forms. 13 Reasons Why slowly leads the viewer to the idea that unskillful harassment on the first date and compiling the top of the hottest girls in school are the bells of social tolerance too much bigger problems. The culture of rape begins with such small things, in which the victim becomes the accused, and the rapist is perceived as the winner (13 Reasons Why). Sexual violence is presented here from different positions: victims who are ready to fight, those who deny what happened to them, and bystanders of the violence.
The third main topic in the series is suicide. For the entire first season, the creators tell the story from the perspective of Hannah, who has already killed herself. The viewer knows what happened and gradually discovers the reasons for the tragedy. In the series, Hannah does not just retell the events but connects them, letting those who listen to the tapes understand how she felt and what hurt her. Moreover, drug addiction, stalking, acceptance of one’s sexual orientation, first sex, relationships with parents and other adults, life with anxiety and panic attacks, and many other topics are added (Cruikshank & Sevigny, 2020). As a result, the show’s goal is to start a dialogue about what worries millions of young people.
Controversial Effect of the Media
13 Reasons Why started a dialogue but not quite the one they hoped for. For the first time, there has been such persistent discussion of how exactly the media, TV series, and shows should show suicide. While the creators hoped that the series would become a safe place for teenagers and adults who have experienced sexual abuse or have suicidal thoughts, it turned out the opposite. In April 2017, that is, the month of the release of the first season, the suicide rate among adolescents in the United States increased by 30% (Bridge et al., 2020). The reason is that the creators showed a detailed scene of Hannah’s suicide. After the reaction of viewers and the media, producers, and streaming, it was decided to issue a warning from the actors that 13 Reasons Why talks about difficult topics. For the release of the third season, they completely cut out the scene of the suicide (Bridge et al., 2020). However, removing just one scene is not the solution to the problem. The depiction of the method of suicide and its preparation, focusing on grieving relatives and loved ones, as well as distributing a suicide note played a negative role on young people.
Another controversial thing is how Hannah’s relationship with adults is shown. This particular moment seems to be her communication with a school psychologist, to whom she reports sexual abuse and does not receive any help in return (Cruikshank & Sevigny, 2020). The series generally suffers from the fact that all children in it exclude the role of parents and adults from their lives and do not turn to them for help in situations where this would be a logical decision.
One of the authors of the series, Nick Sheff, explained that the realism and detail of the story can turn teenagers away from the idea of killing themselves. The authors believe that the series aims to tell the most truthful story possible (Bridge et al., 2020). The fact is that no matter how tense some scenes are, no matter how strong the reaction is, this does not come close to the pain that people go through in such situations. Of course, this is a controversial issue, but the media has a big influence on spectators, especially adolescents.
The Role of Series on the Culture of Harassment
Despite the controversy of the depiction of suicide in the first season, the series does a useful job: it talks about the culture of rape. This concept speaks not only of directly committing sexual violence but also how the environment, media, culture, education system, and other things that shape society encourage the behavior of a sexual predator. 13 Reasons Why is filled with the scenes designed to convey to the victims that they can get through it, they support their struggle. Among them is the trial scene in Season 2, where several female characters talk about their experiences (13 Reasons Why). There is also another episode in the third season, in which female students stand up in front of everyone and admit that they have experienced sexual abuse. Scenes like these are inspiring and supportive; they tell the viewers that they are not alone and do more value than the portrayal of violence.
Throughout two seasons, the image of the main bad guy Bryce Walker is formed. The audience learns step by step how he soldered and forced girls to have sex, some of whom were not even conscious. This image is twisted to the absolute, showing his cynicism during his trial. Thus, the series gives an idea that rapists do not deserve to be heard and understood. One of the characters, Casey, who reflects this position is a feminist and a sexually assaulted girl. However, there is also an alternative position that can be noticed in the series. According to her, people like Bryce are entitled to a second chance if they repented, started going to therapy, and treat their problems (Cruikshank & Sevigny, 2020). Somewhere this position is shared by Hannah who even begins a romantic relationship with Bryce. This alternative opinion causes a strong dissonance in the season.
Conclusion
TV series are a phenomenon of mass culture and the instrument of influencing real life. The values that are broadcast there smoothly flow into everyday life. Each series is framed as an independent unit of a large story with its continuation. Groups of heroes appear from week to week, allowing the story to be broadcast as multiple parallel adventures with many variations. Serial production seems to fit into the way of life since it discusses serious issues and a strong social message runs throughout the series. This is the danger of bullying in school, sexual abuse, and even sexism. In 13 Reasons Why, the problem is presented not directly but through the prism of a detective story, but the authors dug deep enough and approach the culmination as delicately as possible. There is no impression that the viewer is being obsessively lectured or read moral all the time, but the main message is understandable. That is why the series is designed not only for the audience of teenagers but for adults as well.
References
Bridge, J. A., Greenhouse, J. B., Ruch, D., Stevens, J., Ackerman, J., Sheftall, A. H.,… & Campo, J. V. (2020). Association between the release of Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why and suicide rates in the United States: An interrupted time series analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 59(2), 236-243.
Cruikshank, E. C., & Sevigny, P. R. (2020). Reasons why not: A critical review of the television series 13 reasons why. Canadian Journal of Counselling & Psychotherapy/Revue Canadienne de Counseling et de Psychothérapie, 54(4), 803-818.
Incaprera, J. (Producer). (2017-2020). 13 reasons why [TV series]. Web.