Analysis Paper
I chose the main female character Pam Halpert, from The Office. The Office is a sitcom produced by NBC. It is based on a British series of the same name and was adapted for an American audience. Pam works as a receptionist at Dunder Miffin, a paper company. The significance of Pam is that she is one of the most likable characters in the show and is known to be very kind. I feel the whole TV show is dominated by males, such as Michael, the manager and Dwight, the assistant, I would say Pam is the main female character in the show, because the developing relationship sense between she and Jim, the handsome officeman. Pam’s personality changes as the series goes on. At first she is shy and denies liking Jim. However, she later becomes more comfortable with talking and tells people what she thinks.
During the two hours, I watched two episodes. The first episode I watched was called “The Dundies”, which is the annual awkward embarrassing awards show for the Dunder-Miffin Scranton employees, which takes place at the famous Chili’s restaurant. Michael, the manager thinks his subsidiaries would love the awards and his comedy act. On the other hand, they think its stupid and do not really care. Pam has an emotional scene in this episode, when she has some drinks and she drunkenly kisses Jim on the lips. By this sense, the audience can tell that they both have a crush on each other. The second episode is called “Hot Girl”. What happens in this episode is that Pam is mad and a bit jealous, because Jim informs her that he is going to go out with Katy, a hand-bag sales person. From this episode, the audience now knows that Pam cares about Jim, and she does not want him to be with other girls.
Pam Halpert is one of the few female workers at Dunder Miffins Company in the series, and she is also the most attractive one out of them. Not only Jim Halpert, but also most of the male workers in the show express interest in Pam. From Laura Mulvey’s theory (Haraway, 1997), who is a British feminist film theorist that believes in “Male Gaze”, it is said that in film audiences have to ‘view’ characters from the perspective of a heterosexual male. The working environment in the show is somehow not very restricted, and people can express themselves easily. For example, Dwight, sales representative, always tries to approach Pam’s desk, flirt with her. Since she is the first person people will see when the door is opened, she sometimes would receive different attention from sales people from other companies. When these things happen, Jim, who later becomes Pam’s husband, would stand up and stop the sexual harassment.
Pam Halpert works as a receptionist, whose job inculdes being a secretary and a telephone operator. In the Office Machine, Office Wife reading, Mr. M. L. Rayne (1974) states, “Like the secretary, the operator lived in a Taylorized world, her movement surveilled and measured according to standards of speed and productivity.” This reading suggests that a secretary’s status was like a servant back in the 1950’s, and Pam participates in similar the work, but she seems to always be quiet and never want to be the center of the show. I would say that Pam is a typical woman who dresses conservatively. For example, she always wears the plain sweater or the long skirt that does not have bright colors on it. This reflects on her personality, which is kind and friendly. One time, when Michael was demonstrating how things work in the office, he made a joke that he was planning to fire Pam, and she cries immediately.
The article that I would like to use is “Cynics Encouraged to Apply: The Office as reality viewer training”. By Christopher Kocela. The article analyzes the how the production crew makes the comedic element and the difference between The Office and several different shows, such as Big Brother and American Idol. The article starts by telling the reader that The Office is the “mockumentary” adapted from England, and each episode’s footage supposedly derives from a camera crew’s silent observation of office life in a mid-sized paper supply company. When Michael the manger is doing something silly, the cameraman would often give the shot at another normal character, such as Jim, and he would look at the camera and shake his head for the aural interruption of canned laughter.
In the section of the reading “It’s Not Business, It’s Just Personal” (Christopher, 2009) Michael Scott, who mentions himself not just an amateur comedian for his employees, but also as an aspiring reality TV host, and the main character of this TV series. One time, Michael tries to impress the new office temp, by staging a mock firing of his receptionist, Pam. After she realized it was a joke, she would not stop the tears. I would say from this case. the audience could tell Pam is considered the conscience of the minor branch of Dunder Mifflin. She provides reason and insight to whether actions are moral or debauched. Pam does have a comedic side in which she usually brings sarcasm, judgments and insensitivity to drama.
Prefernece
Haraway, D. J. (1997). Syntactics. New York: Routledge.
Mrs. M. L. Rayne, What can a Woman Do? Or Her position in the Business and Literary World (Petersburgh, NY: Eagle Publishing Co., 1898; reprint, New York; Arno Press, 1974), 28-57.
Christopher, K. (2009). The office as reality viewer training In Heldref Publication
Alan, your paragraph about the significance of the show is well- organised and informative. Your statement that Pam’s personality changes over the show is very compelling. I liked how you tied the idea of “male gaze” with the character of Pam. Your point that Pam is the first person people see when they come into the office is absolutely relevant to the concept of “male gaze.” Good point.
Additionally, I liked how you compare Taylorized female worker with Pam. It is interesting that Pam is like secretary from 50s dresses conservatively.
However, I found your peer-reviewed article a little bit irrelevant to this analysis paper. Since you are discussing the role of female character in the Popular TV show, your chosen article has no information about it. As a result, I think it was hard for you to analyze Pam’s character fully and deeply.
Overall, you demonstrate good understanding of the class readings. Also you have great analytical skills. Your analysis of the “male gaze” concept and “Office machine, office wife” is perfectly organised and applied to the character of Pam. Great job.
Alan, I am a fan of The Office and think that selecting Pam is an excellent choice. Although I know the show, your first paragraph gives enough information for someone who has not seen it. I really like how you explained the concept of “Male Gaze.” There is a lot of “male gazing” in Pam’s direction, so you make a strong point. You’ve also described Pam quite accurately: often shy, conservatively dressed, kind and friendly, but also mischievous and sarcastic.
You observe that Pam receives a lot of unwanted attention because she is the first person people see when they walk into the office. I never thought of this – that is a great point! The article Office Machine, Office Wife works very well in relation to Pam, especially since her job is being a receptionist. I would disagree with one thing you say, though: I think that many characters in The Office don’t express themselves easily but struggle to be heard.
The article by Christopher Kocela seems interesting and does explain the filming dynamic of The Office. Nevertheless, I don’t think it lends itself to gaining a deeper understanding of Pam.
You mention the mock firing of Pam and it is very true: Pam represents the conscience of the show. I think this is a significant event and clearly an abuse of power. I would have loved reading how you would analyze this. Overall, I enjoyed reading your article and you make many strong and compelling points!