TV: Capital - Marxism and Hegemony

 Task 1: Mail Online Review of Capital

1.) This article implies that the series "Capital" is a left winged ideology led media due to its inclusivity and representation of a wide number of different people of all categories. Emphasising on how we are intended to feel sympathetic towards an immigrant character which is a key mention of this article. The series presented the character to be hard working and determined which in itself refutes stereotypes. 

2.) "With a fizzle like a firework on a wet night, Capital (BBC1) dribbled to a soggy ending. It started with such a brilliant display, but by the finish we were left staring at the proverbial damp squib."

I think that these two sentences being the thesis to his complaints demonstrates his immaturity and pettiness through his dismissive and crude wording. If he was going to professionally critique the series and not throw a fit he could have written a respectable yet critiquing message about what he has to say. Straight from the beginning of this essay of a complaint audiences are not favourable for his argument. 

"The hardest worker on the street was an illegal immigrant, determined to pay her way and not touch a penny of benefits. She was deported, though she did find time to teach English to some of her fellow saints at the detention centre."

His petty sarcasm mocks his closed minded view of the world with the metaphors of "her fellow saints are the detention centre" which just overall adds to his immature and petty behaviour. I personally do not agree with this "criticism" at all, I believe that the woman was rightfully contributing to British society and was unjustly deported which put her in danger. 

"The crusading lawyer (a woman, of course) who had him freed was fuming about the Terrorism Act, which she called ‘deplorable’."

Again, his rude and dismissive sarcasm implied on his lacking education and morality which leads me to also refute this "criticism". His rhetorical sarcasm of "a woman, of course" portrays his blunt sexism towards a woman who quite literally has done nothing to him. This unneeded adjective of "crusading" also portrays his rude and unnecessary demeanour.  

3.) One scene in the series that may perhaps be viewed to be promotion for left winged ideology is a scene where Roger's bonus is replaced with a much smaller one. Audiences are made to witness this through Rogers perspective which attempts to make audiences feel sympathetic towards him, this allows viewers to comprehend the issues of capitalism, connoting it with greed. 

4.) Capital revolves around the priority of owning luxurious and exclusive homing which implies that investing in similar ideals should be a main goal in one's life.

Task 2: Media Factsheet - Applying Marxism 

1.) Marxism suggests that power in society is held by a small group of elite people.

2.) The Apprentice is a valid example of the media reinforcing capitalistic views and ideologies since it demonstrates the constant competition on the job market, specifically the job working under Lord Alan Sugar, in which the character is implied to be superior and elite like (presenting him as almost as a body of capitalism). 

3.) The series EastEnders presents a fetishised view of the working class since it presents a harmonious East End community which does not reflect a true and honest representation of East London life at all. The Daily Mail however regularly demonise working life individuals as "scroungers", reflective of their right winged ideologies. This paper portrays less financially fortunate people as greedy and a threat to British values. 

4.) Personally I belive that the series of Capital refutes capitalistic ideologies mainly due to how the wealthiest family is portrayed to be. We see Roger, a wealthy while male, being manipulated by even more wealthy white males which abides to the stereotypes of capitalism in a negative way.