TV: Applying Marxism
1) What does Marxism suggest regarding power in society?
Their is one ruling elite class which influence and control over society through the media in order to maintain control and power. Marx saw two structures of society which actively engage in this type of social control. Repressive Structures, those that threaten to act with force if rules are not upheld (The army and police). Ideological structures, those that act to construct the values and ideologies which govern the way people behave (schools and religion).
2) Why is The Apprentice a good example of the media reinforcing capitalist values and ideologies?
The fact that Sugar has all the power reinforces the 'superior' position of the capitalist elite. He has power as he has used the system to create wealth and he is shown using this power to provide a livelihood for the winner of the competition. Teamwork and adventurous ideas in business are rewarded by the success within the show and can be seen to be part of the construction of a false consciousness regarding the personality types of people who are valued in a capitalist system.
3) Come up with three examples of media texts (e.g. TV programmes, newspapers etc.) that either fetishise working class life (e.g. EastEnders presents quite a harmonious East End community which probably doesn't accurately reflect East London life) or demonise working class life or poor people (e.g. The Daily Mail and The Sun newspapers regularly demonise people living on benefits with headlines referring to 'scroungers'.)
An example of fetishising the working class in 'Only Fools and Horses'. This show, shows the hardships and economic deprivation experienced by the main protagonists and how being working class offers a range of positive experiences. The characters are part of a close-knit family, a supportive community and can escape from the trails of modern life through an active social life in the pub.
An example of a media text which demonises the working class is the Daily Mail. The Daily Mail are seen to constantly refer back to the problems surrounding immigration and how poor working class people are lazy and choose to live of benefits and ignore the fact that they might suffer from problems which prevent them from working.
4) Look at the bullet points on page 4 of the factsheet:
When making a Marxist reading of a text, look out for representations that:
show the values of the power elite as beneficial to the mass
show queries or challenges to the base as meaningless, foolish or anti-social via ‘failed revolt’
show the subdominant position of the masses as a naturalised idea
show the values of the power elite as ‘natural’ or ‘right’
show that being a member of the mass is a good thing
show the masses accepting the values of the power elite
show the values of the power elite as being ‘for the good of the masses’ (even when unpleasant)
Now apply those bullet points to Capital. Think about the setting, characters and narrative strands - how many of the bullet points apply to Capital? Does Capital reinforce or challenge the values of capitalism? Give examples from episode 1 to support your points.
Show the values of the power elite as beneficial to the mass
Roger getting a larger bonus which he then intends to spend on reinventing his house, as power grows in the elite work is provided for those in the working class. Seen as beneficial for both.
Show queries or challenges to the base as meaningless, foolish or anti-social via ‘failed revolt’
The post cards being sent by the painter's assistance is an act of foolishness and anti-social as it caused for neighbors to feel harassed at a low cost.
Show the subdominant position of the masses as a naturalised idea
Roger's assistant putting money into failing stocks in order to help the mass and create a good image for his boss, causing the company to lose millions and stocks to fall.
Show the values of the power elite as ‘natural’ or ‘right’
Roger accepting the low bonus despite being enraged by its low amount and his hard work. Him not complaining further reinforces the idea that its only natural to be angry about it to an extent.
Show that being a member of the mass is a good thing
Leaving the control of power to the elite will cause for house prices to increase over time.
Show the masses accepting the values of the power elite
An example of this is when Roger received his low bonus despite being angry he accepted the lower then expected bonus anyway.
Show the values of the power elite as being ‘for the good of the masses’ (even when unpleasant)
When Quentina waits for the news that decides whether she will be deported back whilst her lawyer consults her on her issue.
Their is one ruling elite class which influence and control over society through the media in order to maintain control and power. Marx saw two structures of society which actively engage in this type of social control. Repressive Structures, those that threaten to act with force if rules are not upheld (The army and police). Ideological structures, those that act to construct the values and ideologies which govern the way people behave (schools and religion).
2) Why is The Apprentice a good example of the media reinforcing capitalist values and ideologies?
The fact that Sugar has all the power reinforces the 'superior' position of the capitalist elite. He has power as he has used the system to create wealth and he is shown using this power to provide a livelihood for the winner of the competition. Teamwork and adventurous ideas in business are rewarded by the success within the show and can be seen to be part of the construction of a false consciousness regarding the personality types of people who are valued in a capitalist system.
3) Come up with three examples of media texts (e.g. TV programmes, newspapers etc.) that either fetishise working class life (e.g. EastEnders presents quite a harmonious East End community which probably doesn't accurately reflect East London life) or demonise working class life or poor people (e.g. The Daily Mail and The Sun newspapers regularly demonise people living on benefits with headlines referring to 'scroungers'.)
An example of fetishising the working class in 'Only Fools and Horses'. This show, shows the hardships and economic deprivation experienced by the main protagonists and how being working class offers a range of positive experiences. The characters are part of a close-knit family, a supportive community and can escape from the trails of modern life through an active social life in the pub.
An example of a media text which demonises the working class is the Daily Mail. The Daily Mail are seen to constantly refer back to the problems surrounding immigration and how poor working class people are lazy and choose to live of benefits and ignore the fact that they might suffer from problems which prevent them from working.
4) Look at the bullet points on page 4 of the factsheet:
When making a Marxist reading of a text, look out for representations that:
show the values of the power elite as beneficial to the mass
show queries or challenges to the base as meaningless, foolish or anti-social via ‘failed revolt’
show the subdominant position of the masses as a naturalised idea
show the values of the power elite as ‘natural’ or ‘right’
show that being a member of the mass is a good thing
show the masses accepting the values of the power elite
show the values of the power elite as being ‘for the good of the masses’ (even when unpleasant)
Now apply those bullet points to Capital. Think about the setting, characters and narrative strands - how many of the bullet points apply to Capital? Does Capital reinforce or challenge the values of capitalism? Give examples from episode 1 to support your points.
Show the values of the power elite as beneficial to the mass
Roger getting a larger bonus which he then intends to spend on reinventing his house, as power grows in the elite work is provided for those in the working class. Seen as beneficial for both.
Show queries or challenges to the base as meaningless, foolish or anti-social via ‘failed revolt’
The post cards being sent by the painter's assistance is an act of foolishness and anti-social as it caused for neighbors to feel harassed at a low cost.
Show the subdominant position of the masses as a naturalised idea
Roger's assistant putting money into failing stocks in order to help the mass and create a good image for his boss, causing the company to lose millions and stocks to fall.
Show the values of the power elite as ‘natural’ or ‘right’
Roger accepting the low bonus despite being enraged by its low amount and his hard work. Him not complaining further reinforces the idea that its only natural to be angry about it to an extent.
Show that being a member of the mass is a good thing
Leaving the control of power to the elite will cause for house prices to increase over time.
Show the masses accepting the values of the power elite
An example of this is when Roger received his low bonus despite being angry he accepted the lower then expected bonus anyway.
Show the values of the power elite as being ‘for the good of the masses’ (even when unpleasant)
When Quentina waits for the news that decides whether she will be deported back whilst her lawyer consults her on her issue.
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