Marxism

Marixsm analysis focuses primarily on the alienation and stereotyping in the content presented before anything else. The goal of Marxism in media and pop culture is to be able to reinforce the existing status quos and set them out to appear normal and stable. Marxism criticism with a focus on media results in finding positive correlations between social norms and structures that exist in reality and their portrayal in said media. In most cases material conditions and economic status shape the dominant roles and set the standard for who should and who shouldn't be empowered.

For example, in Mean Girls, Regina George is the top of the popularity pyramid. Her clique of girls all have common traits - they are beautiful, wealthy, and have a social standing that is not to be disturbed. Regina is portrayed as a selfish, cold-hearted, power-hungry icon who's only goal is to maintain her position on top. Cady, the transfer student from Africa, is a middle class teenager who's lack of money and designer wardrobe set her up to be mundane. In the beginning, Cady does everything she can to fit in with the group, however once she finally does she alienates herself from her family and her friends. This alienation and isolation reveals to the audience that although Regina and the mean girls may have material possessions, happiness is more genuinely found through friendship and compassion and can't be bought.