Marxism and Hegemony

 Marxism & hegemony: blog tasks


Task 1: Mail Online review of Capital

1) Re-read the Mail Online review of Capital. Why does it suggest that Capital features a left-wing ideology?

The review suggests that "Capital" features a left-wing ideology because it portrays wealthy individuals negatively and highlights social inequalities.

2) Choose three quotes from the review that are particularly critical of Capital and paste them into your blogpost. Do you agree with the criticisms? Why?
  • "But while the series wields a left-wing club, it is distinctly light on solutions.
  • "The message, as ever with such shows, is that the filthy rich are morally corrupt and the rest of us are their victims.
  • "The class politics are laid on with a trowel."

3) What scenes or characters from Capital could be read as promoting left-wing ideology?

  • The portrayal of Roger Yount as a wealthy banker who faces consequences for his actions, highlighting the accountability of the elite.
  • The focus on the diverse lives of the residents of Pepys Road, showcasing the struggles of working-class individuals and immigrants in a neighbourhood.
  • The depiction of Quentina, a migrant worker, and her experiences of exploitation and discrimination, shedding light on issues of social justice and immigration.

4) What about the other side of the argument - are there any aspects of Capital that reinforce right-wing or capitalist viewpoints?

  • Some might argue that the negative portrayal of wealthy characters like Roger Yount could reinforce stereotypes about the wealthy being morally corrupt.
  • The show's focus on individual responsibility and consequences for actions, rather than systemic issues, might align with right-wing viewpoints on personal accountability.
  • Additionally, the lack of emphasis on structural solutions to social problems could be seen as supporting a more conservative or capitalist perspective.

Task 2: Media Factsheet - Applying Marxism 

Go to our Media Factsheet archive on the Media Shared drive and open Factsheet #66: Applying Marxism. Our Media Factsheet archive is on the Media Shared drive: M:\Resources\A Level or online here (you'll need your Greenford Google login to access). Read the factsheet and answer the following questions:

1) What does Marxism suggest regarding power in society?

Marxism suggests that power in society is primarily determined by economic relationships, with those who control the system.

2) Why is The Apprentice a good example of the media reinforcing capitalist values and ideologies?

"The Apprentice" can be seen as reinforcing capitalist values and ideologies because it promotes competition, individualism, and the idea of profit as marks success.

3) Come up with two examples of media texts (e.g. TV programmes, newspapers etc.) that either fetishize 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'.) Explain what meanings these texts communicate to their audiences.

  1. TV Programme: Shameless

    • Fetishizes working-class life by depicting a dysfunctional yet tight-knit family in a deprived urban neighbourhood.
    • Communicates the idea that despite poverty and chaos, there's a sense of community and resilience among working-class people.

  2. Newspaper: The Daily Mail

    • presents working-class or poor people by often portraying those on benefits as "scroungers" or "welfare cheats" in sensationalized headlines.
    • Communicates the narrative that individuals relying on benefits are lazy or undeserving, reinforcing stereotypes of poverty.

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 try applying 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.

Complete for homework: due date on Google Classroom.


Optional extension: Media Magazine feature on BBC drama The Casual Vacancy and ideology

If you'd like to further understand Marxism, Hegemony and the media, go to our Media Magazine archive and read the feature 'The Beeb, The Mail and JKR' in MM53 (page 20). This focuses on the politics of The Casual Vacancy, another BBC three-part drama based on a book by JK Rowling.



After you've read the article, think about or write answers to the questions below:

1) Why did the Daily Mail suggest The Casual Vacancy promoted a left-wing ideology?

The Daily Mail suggested that "The Casual Vacancy" promoted a left-wing ideology because it depicted issues like social inequality, poverty, and class struggle.

2) How does the article suggest characters, narrative and setting are used to promote a left-wing ideology?

The article suggests that characters facing social injustices, inequality, and the setting of a town struggling with poverty all promote a left-wing ideology in "The Casual Vacancy."

3) Gramsci's theory of hegemony suggests people are kept under control through active consent - the control of 'common sense'. How could you apply the Daily Mail or the BBC to the idea of hegemony and dominant ideologies in the UK media?

Both the Daily Mail and the BBC contribute to hegemony in the UK media by promoting dominant ideologies as 'common sense' through their coverage and framing of social, political, and cultural issues.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

cinematography

Image
CINEMATOGRAPHY: → Write an analysis of the cinematography in the opening sequence.   Highlight  your use of media language and try to cover camera shots, angles and movement using the terminology we have learned in lessons.  shaky camera close up Quick cut POV shot low angle shot montage What is the opening sequence of the film? Shaky Cam Technique: The cinematography in the Tracker Jacker scene employs a shaky cam technique to convey a sense of panic and disorientation as the jacker attack all the tributes causing major hallucinations for Katniss. The handheld camera work creates a visceral experience for the audience, putting them in the midst of the chaos and danger that the tributes are facing. This technique is particularly effective in intensifying the tension and whole attack of the group and action of the scene. Close-Up Shots: The use of close-up shots when the tracker jackers fell on the careers is prominent during this scene. Close-ups on the characters' faces capture th
Read more

British film industry

BRITISH FILM INDUSTRY:   1) Write a one-sentence definition of what makes a film British. When the film is made in Britain and by British film directors. 2) What is the difference between a Hollywood production context and production context of a British film? Hollywood productions often prioritise large budgets and global appeal, while British films may focus more on creativity, smaller budgets, and better storytelling with an emphasis on social realism and cultural context. 3) When did the James Bond franchise start? 1962 4) In terms of film censorship and graphic content, what began to change in British film in the 1970s and 1980s? In the 1970s and 1980s, British film censorship began to relax with the introduction of the X certificate in 1970 and the 18 certificate in 1982, allowing for more explicit content in films, including violence and sexuality. 5) What groups are often represented in British film? Give examples of films these groups feature in. Working-class individuals: Exa
Read more

introduction to TV drama

  INTRODUCTION TO TV DRAMA: 1) What is serial television drama? Write your own definition. Serial television drama is a type of TV show where the story continues from episode to episode, often with cliffhangers, creating a continuous narrative arc. Examples include "Breaking Bad" and "Game of Thrones." 2) List five of the TV dramas discussed in the history of the genre on page 1 of the factsheet. How has the genre evolved over time? The evolution of TV dramas has seen a shift from storytelling to more narratives, with shows like "The Sopranos," "Breaking Bad," "Game of Thrones," "The Wire," and "Mad Men" leading the way. This change has brought character development, darker themes, and change to genre. 3) List the sub-genres of TV drama featured in the factsheet. Come up with your  own example  of an existing TV drama to fit each category. Crime Drama : "True Detective" - Investigates complex crimes with in
Read more