Assignment#5_Theories and Life_110123

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SOC 302 Assignment #5: Theories and Life Your Name : Desiree Falkenhagen 1. a. Which concept/argument from Karl Marx is being exhibited here? Discuss the concept/argument, showing how scenes from the movie demonstrate it. The clip from "Modern Times" featuring Charlie Chaplin's factory work vividly illustrates Karl Marx's concepts of alienated labor and the dehumanizing effects of industrial capitalism on the worker. Released in 1936, "Modern Times" is a satirical commentary on the dehumanization and exploitation experienced by workers during the era of industrialization. Marx argued that under capitalism, workers would become alienated from their labor due to the monotonous and repetitive nature of industrial work. In the clip, Chaplin's character is tasked with tightening bolts on an assembly line. The relentless repetition of this task symbolizes the dehumanizing impact of repetitive, specialized labor. Marx emphasized that workers, in capitalist production, lose control over the production process and the products of their labor. In the clip, Chaplin's character is a cog in the industrial machine, with no agency or control over the assembly line. He mindlessly performs tasks without the ability to exercise creativity or decision-making. Marx discussed how workers become objectified in capitalist production, treated as mere commodities. Chaplin's character in the clip is reduced to a set of motions, his humanity stripped away as he is treated as an interchangeable part of the machinery. The emphasis is on the efficiency of production, not on the well-being or individuality of the worker. Marx argued that workers would experience social alienation, feeling isolated from the products of their labor, from the labor process itself, and from their fellow workers. In the clip, the physical and metaphorical isolation of Chaplin's character on the assembly line underscores the loneliness and detachment experienced by workers in a capitalist system. b. Discuss how this concept relates to Marx’s larger argument about the nature of work in a capitalist economy. Marx's concept of alienated labor, as portrayed in the clip from "Modern Times" with Charlie Chaplin, is deeply connected to his larger argument about the nature of work in a capitalist economy. Marx's analysis encompasses several key aspects that are vividly depicted in the film:

Chaplin's character is treated as a mere cog in the industrial machinery, reduced to a set of mechanical motions. In a capitalist economy, labor becomes a commodity, and workers are objectified as a means of producing goods for profit. The value of labor is determined by its exchangeability, leading to the dehumanization of workers. Chaplin's character lacks control over his work; the assembly line sets the pace, and the worker is exploited for maximum productivity. Marx argued that in capitalism, workers lose control over the means of production. They are at the mercy of capitalists who seek to extract surplus value from their labor, often leading to exploitation and alienation. Workers are physically and socially isolated on the assembly line, with minimal interaction. Social alienation occurs when workers are isolated from the products of their labor, the labor process itself, and from one another. In a capitalist economy, workers become atomized and lack meaningful social connections. Chaplin's character is assigned a monotonous task of tightening bolts repeatedly. Marx observed that the division of labor in capitalism leads to specialized, repetitive tasks. This specialization can make work tedious and dull, contributing to the alienation of the worker from the creative and fulfilling aspects of their labor. Chaplin's character is interchangeable with other workers, emphasizing the loss of individuality. Marx contended that in capitalist production, workers become interchangeable and are often replaceable. The emphasis is on efficiency and standardization, eroding the uniqueness and individuality of each worker. The dehumanizing effects of the machinery on Chaplin's character symbolize the impact of capitalism on the worker's humanity. Marx argued that capitalism distorts the essence of human labor, turning it into a means of survival rather than a fulfilling and creative activity. Workers, in the pursuit of wages, may lose touch with the meaningful aspects of their work. Chaplin's character rebels against the oppressive conditions, symbolizing the potential for workers to resist. Marx envisioned that the alienation experienced by workers would lead to collective awareness and resistance. The struggle for workers' emancipation involves overcoming the dehumanizing effects of capitalist labor. In essence, the clip from "Modern Times" serves as a powerful visual representation of Marx's larger argument about the nature of work in a capitalist economy. It encapsulates the dehumanization, exploitation, lack of control, and social alienation inherent in the capitalist mode of production, ultimately highlighting the need for a transformative approach to labor that addresses these systemic issues.

2. a. Which concept/argument from Karl Marx is being exhibited here? Discuss the concept/argument, showing how the lyrics/scenes from the movie demonstrate it. The song "Do You Hear the People Sing?" from the musical "Les Misérables" reflects Karl Marx's concept of class struggle and the idea of revolutionary potential among the oppressed masses. Marx argued that history is a history of class struggles, and the lyrics of the song capture the spirit of resistance against oppression and the desire for social change. The lyrics of "Do You Hear the People Sing?" speak to the collective voice of the oppressed, expressing their frustration with social inequality and their determination to fight for justice. Lines such as "Will you join in our crusade? Who will be strong and stand with me?" highlight the call for unity among the disenfranchised. Marx argued that the working class, or proletariat, would eventually become conscious of their exploitation and rise against the bourgeoisie in a revolutionary act. The song's lyrics reflect this consciousness, as the people sing about their desire for liberation and the rejection of their oppressive conditions. In the musical, the song is often associated with scenes of building barricades, a powerful symbol of resistance and rebellion. This imagery aligns with Marx's idea of the proletariat using revolutionary means to overthrow the existing social order. Marx emphasized the importance of collective action by the working class to challenge the status quo. The lyrics emphasize the power of a united front: "Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise." This suggests that through collective struggle, a brighter future is possible. b. Discuss how this concept relates to Marx’s larger argument about the downfall of capitalism (and change from a capitalist society). Marx's concept of class struggle, as exemplified in the song "Do You Hear the People Sing?" from "Les Misérables," is intricately tied to his larger argument about the downfall of capitalism and the transition to a new, non-capitalist society. Marx posited that capitalism contained inherent contradictions that would ultimately lead to its demise, replaced by a more equitable and classless society. The themes in the song and the broader narrative of "Les Misérables" align with several key aspects of Marx's arguments: Marx's historical materialism posits that the development of human societies is driven by changes in the material conditions of production. The song reflects a moment in history where the proletariat, the working class, becomes conscious of their exploitation and mobilizes for change. The struggle against oppression is seen as a historical inevitability. Marx argued that capitalism contains inherent contradictions, such as the exploitation of the working class and the concentration of wealth in the hands of the bourgeoisie. The discontent

expressed in the song and the construction of barricades symbolize the tensions and conflicts arising from these contradictions. The song embodies Marx's idea that the working class, once conscious of its exploitation, would engage in a class struggle to overthrow the capitalist system. The call for collective action, unity, and the construction of barricades represents the organized resistance that Marx believed would be necessary for societal change. Marx envisioned a revolutionary moment where the working class would seize control of the means of production, leading to the establishment of a classless society. The scenes of building barricades and the determination expressed in the song depict such a revolutionary moment, symbolizing the potential for a radical transformation. Marx argued that the downfall of capitalism would pave the way for the establishment of communism, a classless and stateless society. While "Les Misérables" doesn't explicitly depict the transition to communism, the themes of collective action and the rejection of oppressive conditions align with Marx's vision of a more equitable and just society. Marx acknowledged the role of charismatic leaders and class consciousness in revolutionary movements. Characters like Enjolras in "Les Misérables" represent charismatic leaders who inspire the proletariat to rise against their oppressors. The collective awakening to class consciousness is crucial for the success of the revolutionary endeavor. The optimistic tone of the song reflects Marx's belief that, despite the struggles and contradictions of capitalism, a brighter future is possible through the collective efforts of the working class. The idea that "even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise" conveys hope for a post-capitalist society. In summary, the concept of class struggle in "Do You Hear the People Sing?" aligns with Marx's larger argument about the downfall of capitalism. The song captures the revolutionary spirit, the collective consciousness of the proletariat, and the belief in a transformative moment that would lead to the establishment of a more just and equitable society – a society beyond the contradictions and inequalities inherent in capitalism.

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