How to Get Away with Murder

Definition

How to Get Away with Murder is a critically acclaimed television series that explores themes of morality, justice, and the complexity of human relationships through the lens of crime. The show is notable for its intricate plot, strong female lead, and the way it challenges traditional narratives in both crime dramas and legal shows, making significant contributions to feminist storytelling in television.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The show premiered in 2014 and was created by Shonda Rhimes, a key figure in diversifying television through her focus on strong female characters.
2. How to Get Away with Murder received multiple awards and nominations, highlighting its impact on both audiences and critics as a groundbreaking series.
3. The series is praised for its strong female lead, Annalise Keating, who challenges stereotypes associated with women in the legal profession.
4. The show engages audiences with moral ambiguity, forcing viewers to question their own beliefs about justice and ethics.
5. How to Get Away with Murder features a diverse cast and addresses social issues such as systemic racism and LGBTQ+ representation within its storyline.

Review Questions

• How does Annalise Keating's character challenge traditional gender roles within legal dramas?
  • Annalise Keating is portrayed as a complex character who embodies strength, intelligence, and vulnerability, thus challenging the traditional gender roles often seen in legal dramas. She is not only a successful defense attorney but also navigates personal struggles and moral dilemmas throughout the series. This multifaceted representation allows viewers to see women in powerful roles while also showcasing the difficulties they face, making her character a pivotal part of feminist narratives in television.
• In what ways does the narrative structure of How to Get Away with Murder enhance its themes of justice and morality?
  • The narrative structure of How to Get Away with Murder employs flashbacks and nonlinear storytelling that create suspense while emphasizing the complexities of justice and morality. This approach allows viewers to piece together events alongside the characters, making them more engaged in the ethical dilemmas presented. By intertwining past and present narratives, the show effectively highlights how choices made by characters can lead to unforeseen consequences, deepening discussions around guilt and innocence.
• Evaluate how How to Get Away with Murder contributes to broader conversations about representation in media and its impact on audiences.
  • How to Get Away with Murder contributes significantly to broader conversations about representation by featuring a diverse cast and addressing various social issues such as race, gender, and sexuality. The show's commitment to showcasing characters from different backgrounds allows for richer storytelling that resonates with a wider audience. This representation challenges stereotypes and fosters understanding, ultimately influencing how audiences perceive complex social issues while encouraging more inclusive narratives in future television productions.

Related terms

Annalise Keating: The central character of the series, Annalise Keating is a brilliant defense attorney and law professor who becomes embroiled in a murder plot involving her students, embodying the struggles and triumphs of women in powerful positions.

Narrative Structure: The way the story is constructed in How to Get Away with Murder, including its use of flashbacks and nonlinear storytelling, which helps create suspense and deepen character development.

Representation: The portrayal of diverse characters and complex narratives in How to Get Away with Murder, particularly how it addresses issues related to race, gender, and sexual orientation.