TV: Capital - Marxism and Hegemony

Alezey

Marxism & 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 is left-wing because it says the show is “stuffed full with fashionable causes as Jeremy Corbyn’s function diary.” This implies it focuses too much on immigration, anti-terror laws and inequality instead of just telling a story. The reviewer also points out that British characters are shown negatively, while immigrant characters are presented as hardworking and kind, which makes the show seem politically biased.

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?

Quote 1: “With a fizzle like a firework on a wet night, Capital dribbled to a soggy ending.”

Quote 2: “The last 20 minutes contained no plot.”

Quote 3: “Everything British came in for a dose of loathing.”

I partly disagree. The ending is slower, but the show still wraps up the characters’ stories. Highlighting issues like immigration or inequality doesn’t automatically make it political bias but it just reflects the place it’s set in. The reviewer exaggerates to make it sound unfairly negative.

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

Quentina who works hard but still gets deported could be seen as criticising immigration policy. The Muslim character being arrested under anti-terror laws, and the lawyer calling the Terrorism Act “deplorable,” also makes the government look unfair. Immigrant characters being shown as kind and friendly supports this reading.

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

There are some balanced parts. The police do eventually solve the case, and the Roger isn’t shown as completely negatively, just flawed. The show still focuses on property and business, which are key parts of capitalism. So it’s not completely one-sided, even if the review presents it that way.

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Task 2: Media Factsheet - Applying Marxism 
- Media Factsheet Factsheet #66: Applying Marxism.

1) What does Marxism suggest regarding power in society?Marxism suggests that power is held by a small elite who control wealth and the means of production, while the majority depend on them for survival. Society’s institutions, like schools, religion, and the police, help shape beliefs and behaviours so most people accept their powerless position and support the capitalist system.

2) Why is The Apprentice a good example of the media reinforcing capitalist values and ideologies?
The Apprentice is a good example because, as the extract says, “Sugar has all the power,” while the contestants compete for a job. This shows capitalist values, with wealth and success coming from hard work and competition, and presents the elite as deserving their position. The show highlights the gap between the elite and the contestants, reinforcing the capitalist system.

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.

Example 1 – EastEnders

EastEnders makes working-class life look fun and harmonious in a sort of way. People are shown helping each other, having strong friendships and family bonds. It gives the idea that life in the East End is tight-knit and good, even though real life might be harder. This communicates to the audience that working-class communities are friendly, moral, and worth admiring.

Example 2 – The Sun

The Sun often makes poor people or people on benefits look bad, with headlines about “scroungers” or “welfare cheats.” It sends the message that working-class people are lazy or undeserving, and that richer people are better or more responsible. This communicates to the audience that poor people are a problem and that wealth and hard work are what really matter.

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.

A lot of the Marxist bullet points apply to Capital. The power elite, like Roger and Arabella, are shown as wealthy and their values come across as normal or right. The people on the street Petunia, Ahmed, Quintana and others are the masses, and their lower status is presented as natural. Challenges from the less powerful, like the mysterious postcards, create tension but don’t change anything, so this counts as a failed revolt. Being part of the masses is shown as positive, because the community-minded characters are moral, friendly and hardworking, while the elite are selfish and obsessed with money. Overall, the drama shows money dividing the community, creating fear and highlighting inequality, which criticises capitalism rather than supporting it. 

e.g.  Arabella and Roger are rich but the tension caused by the postcards shows how money separates people. Petunia represents the moral, community-minded mass, and the postcards from the hooded figure show the masses trying to push back but failing, which reinforces the elite’s power.