Blog Post #4

When I first heard of Marxism, I directly associated it with Karl Marx and with a form of governmental structure. By after learning and seeing examples of this concept applied to media, I was able to see how it is present among the shows and movies we consume. Marxism focuses on the different social hierarchies created in those mediums, and the different ideologies that are implemented within that particular society. In order to look at media through a Marxist scope, one must focus on various key elements. For example, it is important to identify the role of the individuals within various groups. Pinpoint who the hierarchical elitists, egalitarians, competitive individualists, and the fatalist are.This will help in dissecting the show or movie, and will allow you to see how the groups are formed and the how strong the bonds among the characters are. It is also important to identify any instances where a character might experience a form of alienation. This will give an insight on what the societal norms are and will lead to the identification of the overlying ideology. A great show to analyze through this Marxist looking glass is Freaks and Geeks, which we watched in class. There were various social classes present throughout the high school. There were the popular people, who were at the top of the food chain. Then there were the geeks, who were essentially a group of freshman boys who tried to desperately fit in with the crowd, and faced constant turmoil brought on by the bullies. And then there were the freaks, who where the outcasts or burnouts. Lindsay, the main character, wanted very much to be accepted in this "freaks" clique. Throughout the show, you could see the alienation she faced as she attempted to cross the hierarchical boundaries. And we also could see the importance of her identifying the different roles within the group in order for her to find a place where she could fit in. Once you open your eyes to  Marxism in media and begin realizing the role that it plays within our shows and movies, you are able to identify and better understand the class buildup and social structures that are present, and how important this concept is to the story line.