Marxism & 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?

-It suggests Capital features left wing ideology because it is showing immigrants in a positive way.

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?

-"The hardest worker on the street was an illegal immigrant, determined to pay her way and not touch a penny of benefits."
This shows that immigrants are hard working people that are determined to make their future better, as they were not given everything easily at some point in their lives, they have to work hard to earn what they want.
-"'The last 20 minutes contained no plot. Whatever story there had ever been was over."
Not much was revealed towards the ending leaving the audience to question the true ending.

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

-Quintina and The Kamal family.  

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

-"What use is 30 grand"
-This shows the other side of the augment that capital is reinforcing right wing or capitalist viewpoints because the line shows that roger has clear white privileged as he disregard that much of a large amount of money as if it easy for him to obtain it.

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?

-That power in society deals with both social and economical power relationships.

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

-Sugar having all the power reinforces the superior position of the capitalist, white privileged and left wing person. He has power as he used the system to create wealth.

3) Come up with two examples of media texts (e.g. TV programmes, newspapers etc.) that either fetishise working class life.

-East Enders
-9 to 5

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.

- Show that being a member of the mass is a good thing: The close knit Kamal family which even in the recession stays close together.
- Show the masses accepting the values of the power elite: The characters have no real choice against the crisis.
- Show the values of the power elite as ‘natural’ or ‘right’: Rogers reference to his bonus being 'Fundamentally not fair' suggesting its his 'right' to earn a significant bonus.

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