In what ways can Fight Club be read as a Marxist critique of corporate capitalism and consumer culture? Fight Club has been argued to be a Marxist critique of the exploitation received by the proletariat from the bourgeoisie in terms of corporate capitalism and consumer culture in a capitalist society. It highlights the methods of control used by those in power in order to maintain a passive working class who, instead of resenting the bourgeoisie, rebels against there own class, creating a divided working class who are alienated from each other, which preserves the status quo. During the film, those in a position of power, for example, the narrator’s boss, are symbolically representative of the media, government and business corporations. In one shot, the narrator’s boss is only shown from the neck down, signifying that all people in positions of power share the same values and highlights that a capitalist society is not personal, instead only interested in money and profit.
He uses Arthur Birling as a voice for capitalism, who is ridiculed by the inspector, a representative of socialism. The dialogue between them shows this, as the inspector twists what birling says. For example, when the inspector says “I’m sorry but you asked me a question”, and Birling says the inspector previously asked him an unnecessary question, the Inspector replies “It’s my duty to ask questions”. Priestly uses this symbolism as framework for the political ideology battle each character has with the inspector. As the political Ida of capitalism has corrupted the Birling family, Priestly shows the audience how the inspector, the voice of socialism, constantly out-wits the birling’s.
This shows a lack of compassion by Birling, as he only cares about his wealth and status, and the profits he can gain from his factories. He refers to the working class as "these people" and clearly shows contempt for them. Also, the use of "these people" shows as Birling seeing himself as very superior and separate, and also doesn't want to do anything to build a supportive working community within the factory. People are seen as machines and are expendable to Birling, rather than individual people who have their own dreams and thoughts. In response, Priestley uses satire when the Inspector responds by saying: "After all, it's better to ask for the Earth than to take it."
Marx’s concept of alienation is the separation and misalignment power from one thing to another, and is informed by both his understanding of human labor and religion. In capitalism man is alienated from his labor because he is forced to trade it like a commodity in the marketplace. As a result, the more of himself he puts into labor, the less he keeps for himself. He also believes region, like capitalism, is a source of alienation. Like capitalism, he believes region is a man-made creation, which eventually became regarded as a natural phenomenon.
In Act One of Inspector calls’ how J.B. Priestly uses dramatic devices to convey his concerns and ideas to the members of the audience, as well as interest and involve them in his play? In Inspector calls JB Priestley teaches the audience the consequences of being a capitalist, he shows through the Inspector, the Inspector interrupts when Mr Birling is giving his capitalists views; he comes to question him and his family about their actions and tell them the disaster that had happened. Mr birling is a very strong and high headed man, he believes ‘that a man has to make his own ways’ but the Inspector proves him wrong. Priestley’s main concerns were people were too busy only caring about themselves, little community sprit (not looking after each other’s needs), lack of responsibilities and they weren’t ready to take the consequences and this all related to capitalism. The dates 1912 and 1945 are important because in 1912 the play was set but it was performed in 1945, this means that the play was based in the 1912 and it was performed in 1945 to show the audience how the people were and how capitalist they were which caused war.
Al should fire Craig Lindley for several reasons. The organizational culture is honesty, integrity and the intrinsic value of each individual. Craig Lindley misuses company time and watches pornography on the web without the permission of the boss. Al should fire Craig for Craig’s cheating action. Even though Craig is Al’s close friend, he should be fired, since as the president of the company, Al should treat every employee fairly.
This makes it seem like Socialism is an honest way to live. In his final speech before he leaves the Birlings household, Goole says that for the "Eva Smiths and John Smiths" i.e. the lower class, they stand a “chance of happiness” in Socialism. The Inspector says that unless the upper class realise they have a duty to help those poorer than themselves, "they will be taught in fire and blood and anguish." This acts as almost a threat to the audience which serves the purpose of focusing their minds and realising that it is a serious matter.
They appropriate this excess or surplus value by exploiting the labour as profit. Thus profit, according to Marx, is nothing but legalised robbery. Marxian socialism, therefore, seeks to root out this capitalistic system of production. Marx's second proposition is based on the materialistic and dialectical interpretation of history. This explains the practical means and process, which govern the inevitable transition from capitalism to
Braverman presents an argument against what he regards as the degradation of work and the de-skilling of the labour force which is a result of the inhuman aspects of capitalism (Kanungo, 1982). The three terms, alienation, bureaucracy and de-skilling shall be explained, and the degree to which these conceptions are still applicable in modern day work organisations and industries. In the theory of alienation, Marx shows the damaging impacts of capitalist production on the workers(Ollman, 1976) by distinguishing four forms of alienation. Firstly, he argues that workers do not control the process of their work because they do not own the means of production that is necessary to manufacture a product. The worker has no role in deciding what to do or how to do it.
In capitalist societies, workers are employed to produce goods which are sold by their employers at a profit. Only a bit of the profit ends up in the workers wage, most of its kept by the employer. Marx said that if workers were allowed to notice the unfairness of this, they’d revolt. So, to avoid revolution the capitalist system shapes the superstructure to make sure that the workers accept their lot in life. Institutions like the family, education and religion lead individuals into accepting the inequalities or capitalism.