TV: Capital - Marxism and Hegemony

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

It shows a social heirachy through the residents on the street.
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?
"With a fizzle like a firework on a wet night"

 "an excruciating round of farewells"

"went through the same long-drawn-out charade"

To a certain degree I agree with these criticisms as the ending of the show was quite predictable and dull, but not to the exaggerated extent thats portrayed in the interview as i still found it interesting.

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

Roger and Arabella, for example a large sum of money means practically nothing.
4) What about the other side of the argument - are there any aspects of Capital that reinforce right-wing or capitalist viewpoints?
You could say that they all want to remain in their current state other than laving, stay in their lives that theyve come so accustomed to in the past.

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?

Power was held by a minority (the elite or bourgeoisie) who had

access to capital and could use their money and power to

generate more wealth

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.

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.
Karate Kid shows that life in the working class doesnt stop you from going big.

Sin City highlights the norm of a working class life for the people through their crimes.

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.

From the first episode of the show we are given no examples of where the elite are beneficial to the mass as the only thing cared for is how much money is made. In the end their challenge to the people that want what they have was futile as eventually they all moved out. Successfully shows that the mass has no say when it comes to a powerful force making a decision. Shows that people accept the norm of the elites power through residents moving out. Being a member of the mass is shown as a positive as we can see that people will willingly help  each other like with Kamal and Petunia. Acceptance is shown throughout the show, like when the postcards came and were simply acknowledged without any major action. Nothing is ever explicitly stated as good for the masses during any of the events of the show.