TV: Applying Marxism
Go to our Media Factsheet archive on the Media Shared drive and open Factsheet #66: Applying Marxism. Read the factsheet and answer the following questions:
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'.)
Media texts that demonise working class life-
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.
Not many of these bullet points can be applied to Capital. Capital challenges the values of capitalism. Instead of showing the values of the power elite as beneficial to the mass, Capital does the opposite. Roger's company is shown to earn millions and millions of pounds but none of this money is used to help the masses. Instead, the money is used to help one of the company's subsideries abroad.
However, we could apply 'show the values of the power elite as being ‘for the good of the masses’' to Capital. When the residents of Pepys road start receiving the 'WE WANT WHAT YOU HAVE' postcards, they turn to the police for help (which are a government organisation and are therefore part of the elite). The police try to help them which would mean that this part of Capital supports capitalist ideologies.
1) What does Marxism suggest regarding power in society?
Marxism suggests that there is a small group of elite people in society that hold all the power and use this power to control the rest of society in to working for them and making money for them.
2) Why is The Apprentice a good example of the media
2) Why is The Apprentice a good example of the media
reinforcing capitalist values and ideologies?
The Apprentice features many characters and plots that make it a good example for reinforcing capitalist values and ideologies. Firstly, Lord Alan Sugar is the superior character in the TV show. The contestants are ultimately trying to win the show in order to work with him or be offered a well paid job by him. He is the key to their survival. The fact that he is entitled to all this power and is essentially in control of the contestants reinforces Marxism theory and capitalist values and ideologies. (He is even nicknamed as 'Lord' which says a lot in itself!)
Secondly, the show unconsciously feeds the audience with what qualities are the ones rewarded with success and, therefore, encourages the audience to have these qualities. These include being adventurous in business terms but not reckless; confident but not arrogant and be both good leaders and team players.
The Apprentice features many characters and plots that make it a good example for reinforcing capitalist values and ideologies. Firstly, Lord Alan Sugar is the superior character in the TV show. The contestants are ultimately trying to win the show in order to work with him or be offered a well paid job by him. He is the key to their survival. The fact that he is entitled to all this power and is essentially in control of the contestants reinforces Marxism theory and capitalist values and ideologies. (He is even nicknamed as 'Lord' which says a lot in itself!)
Secondly, the show unconsciously feeds the audience with what qualities are the ones rewarded with success and, therefore, encourages the audience to have these qualities. These include being adventurous in business terms but not reckless; confident but not arrogant and be both good leaders and team players.
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'.)
Media texts that demonise working class life-
- The only way is essex
- Shameless
- Desperate Scousewives
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:
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)
Not many of these bullet points can be applied to Capital. Capital challenges the values of capitalism. Instead of showing the values of the power elite as beneficial to the mass, Capital does the opposite. Roger's company is shown to earn millions and millions of pounds but none of this money is used to help the masses. Instead, the money is used to help one of the company's subsideries abroad.
However, we could apply 'show the values of the power elite as being ‘for the good of the masses’' to Capital. When the residents of Pepys road start receiving the 'WE WANT WHAT YOU HAVE' postcards, they turn to the police for help (which are a government organisation and are therefore part of the elite). The police try to help them which would mean that this part of Capital supports capitalist ideologies.
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