TV: Capital - Marxism and Hegemony

 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 capital supports a left wing ideology because it portrays wealthy bankers in a negative light,while presenting immigrants,working class characters and anti capitalist ideas sympathetically.It shows that the series criticises wealth inequality such as greed and rising house prices.

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?

"Its like reading Jeremy Corbyn's diary stuffed with left wing PC causes"

This quote suggests that the review sees the show as promoting biased messages rather than only telling a story 

"capital isnt just a drama-its an ideological sermon dressed up as television"

This quote suggests that the reviewer sees the show as connoting a message with a limited underdeveloped storyline

"With a fizzle like a firework on a wet night, Capital (BBC1) dribbled to a soggy ending"

This quote displays that the storyline of capital was developed in the first half.However during the middle to the end of the storyline it lacked critical narrative which made it boring.

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

-the storyline about rising house prices pushing ordinary people out of their homes

-the sympathetic portrayal of immigrant characters struggling financially

-criticism of banks and financial greed

-wealth creates isolation more than happiness

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

Property is seen as desiarable and valuable due to inflation,wealthy characters are displayed for their personal struggles,setting is set in a very expensive part of london 

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 argues power is held by the bourgeoisie(middle class) due to them holding their power through capitalism

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

it glorifies wealth and business sucess,people compete for money,profit is seen as the main goal for contestants,normalises inequality

3) Come up with two 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'.) Explain what meanings these texts communicate to their audiences.

The daily mail:

-focuses on ideas about power imbalance and welfare abuse

-displays poverty as laziness

Meanings-The daily mail reinforces ideas that poverty is a personal issue that can be fixed rather than a structural issue and downplays structural inequality

Gavin and stacy:

-emphasises humour from the poor

-shows how you do not need to be rich to be happy

-communicates that there is more to life than money

Meanings-Romanticising working class lifestyle rather than middle class subculture
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.

The location is seen as representing capitalism and geentrification.Property ownership is easily seen as causing dominance,power and security.Roger holds significant power as he works in finance and is known as the breadwinner which reinforces capitalist elites.The immigrant family work hard and are more vunurable to changes in the economy which suggests capitalism.The narrative highlights how capitalism affects society and causes damage.The rich are blamed for economic crisis and the poor are sympathised for their hard work ethic.