Television drama: "Jessica"

The television drama Jessica directed by Anthony Buckley and produced by Peter Andrikidis, is a powerful medium for presenting the importance of sex in a relationship, gender expectations and discrimination. The protagonist, Jessica is a young woman living in the small frontier town of Narrandera, and is constantly looked down upon by others for being a tomboy. Jessica's mother, Hester, is desperate to secure a wealthy future for herself and daughter, Meg, by forcing her to marry. Jack Thomas, the son of the richest family in town is burdened with being the perfect man chosen by Hester. Unfortunately, he falls in love with Jessica and this proves to be large problem for the two, as neither family will accept their feelings. The importance of sex in a relationship, gender expectations and discrimination are expressed through camera, sound effects and characters.

Sex was forbidden for those unmarried in the early 20th century, and lack of contraception meant that if pregnancy occurred, the pair would be forced to marry due to bad reputation.

Meg Griffin

Jessica (novel)

English: Australian R&B singer Jessica Mauboy

According to drama, sex is important in conveying the feelings we have for one another, whether positive or negative. There are two sex scenes in the drama, and these are between Jack and Meg, and Jack and Jessica. Both are very different from the other and clarify where both girls stand in Jack's life and the way the viewers are positioned to respond to them. Meg forces herself onto Jack, and she dominates him by taking both hers and his clothes off, then pushing him onto the bed. The room is pitch black and casts shadows on the two's faces, showing that Jack and Meg aren't meant to be together as darkness symbolises secretiveness, and allows the couple to be hidden from others and themselves. A...