Activity 3.16 - Viewpoints.

Natalie Rencher

Activity 3.16

Please find 2 examples for each viewpoint- reinforce & challenge. 

Patriarchy:

1.        “Mad men” (Tv series, 2007-2015)

Mad men is a television series that is set in the 1960’s that explores the patriarchal culture within the advertising industry. It puts forth concepts of gender oppression and uses it to counter itself as a medium for informing and entertaining. For example, the character Betty, has a husband that expects her to remain consistent in love and support with little regard to her own well-being. This media reinforces and challenges the viewpoint at the same time due to the conversations and relationships between the men and women characters and the way it uses countering gender oppression as a medium for informing and entertaining.

 

2.        “The Handmaids Tale” (Tv series, 2017-present)

The television series adapted from the Margaret Atwood’s novel, depicts a dystopian society where women have been stripped of their rights. Under a totalitarian regime, women are assigned to specific roles based in their fertility and their bodies are controlled and objectified by men higher up in power. This media reinforces the viewpoint due to strong emotional points made by the idea of women under a powerless society.

 

Feminism:

1.        “Hidden Figures” (film, 2016)

Based on a true story, this film highlights achievements of African American women working at NASA during the space race of the 1960’s. The film showcases the challenges and discrimination women faced due to their race and gender while also emphasizing their perseverance and intelligence portraying their abilities in their fight for gender equality. This media reinforces the viewpoint of feminism, while the characters find their way to challenge the antagonists, the men working in their industry.

 

2.        “Thelma & Louise” (film, 1991)

This films storyline follows two women named Thelma and Louise, who embark on a road trip to escape their normal lives but end up being pursued by the law after a self-defense incident. The film explores themes of resistance against patriarchal expectations and gender roles because the characters defy societal norms and challenge the oppressive structures that restrict woman’s freedom. This media reinforces the viewpoint.

 

Multiculturalism:

1.        “Crash” (film, 2004)

This film has multiple storylines that explore the complexities of racial and ethnic relations in Los Angeles. The film explores into the lives of diverse characters from different ethnicities and background, highlighting their experiences and prejudices they face. This media supports the viewpoint because it explores themes of stereotypes, and racial tension between different races.

 

2.        “Amelie” (film, 2001)

Amelie is a French romantic comedy that tells the story of a young women living in Paris. The film celebrates multiculturalism by its diverse characters from various backgrounds such as artists and locals in the city. The film highlights the beauty of diversity and the universal emotions that connect all humankind. This media challenges the viewpoint because it shows the celebration of multiculturalism rather than focusing on the prejudices can that be judged through multiculturalism.

 

Classism:

1.        “Parasite” (film, 2019) 

This film delves into the class divide between two families the Kim family and the Park family. The Kim family lives in a cramped part ent and struggle to make ends meet as they infiltrate the lives of the wealthy Park family. The film exposes the inequalities in society highlighting how class discrimination can pervade all aspects of life.  This film definitely reinforces the viewpoint because it shows classism firsthand. 

 

2.        “The Great Gatsby” (film, 2013)

Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby explores the social divisions of the 1920s age in America. The story revolves around two main characters. Jay Gatsby who represents upper class because he is a self-made millionaire, and Nick Caraway who is from a lower class and represents lower class issues. This film explores the themes of the difference between the wealthy elite and the working class highlighting the shallow excesses and social hierarchy. This media also supports or reinforces the viewpoint because it gives a storyline that uses classism as a main theme to build the storyline on.

 

Changing attitudes towards disability: 

1.        “Wonder” (film, 2017)

This film is based on a novel and follows the story of a young boy named Auggie Pullman who has a craniofacial condition and attends public school for the first time. The filming explores Auggies journey as he encounters bulling, building friendships, and learns to navigate the complexities of his disability. This media reinforces changing a negative attitude towards disability to a positive change of attitude towards disability because it emphasizes themes of empathy, acceptance, and celebrating differences.

 

2.        “My Left Foot” (film, 1989)

My Left Foot is a drama based on the life of Christy Brown, an Irish artist and writer born with cerebral palsy. The film depicts Christys struggles with physical limitations and societal judgements. This media reinforces changing negative to positive attitude towards disability because it highlights the talent and creativity that can be found in people with disabilities promoting a more accepting and respecting perspective. 

Ageism:

1.        “About Schmidt” (film, 2002)

Staring the actor Jack Nicholson as Warren Schmidt, a newly retired insurance salesman. The film follows Schmidt as he navigates his sense of purposelessness ad confronts the ageist attitudes he counters. Through his encounters and journey of self-discovery, the movie explores themes of aging, regret, and societal inclination to disrespect and undervalue older individuals. This media reinforces the viewpoint because it shows the ageist attitudes and experiences, he encounters but towards the end it challenges the viewpoint because he confronts his encounters.

 

2.        “The Intern” (film, 2015)

This film tells the story of a 70-year-old widower named Ben who becomes an intern at an online fashion retailer. Ben forms a bond with his younger boss and challenges stereotypes associated with older individuals. The film explores themes of intergenerational relationships and the valuable skills that older individuals can bring. The Intern encourages individuals to question age-based assumptions and recognize the value of experience. This media challenges the viewpoint because it goes against ageism.

 

Racism:

1.        “12 Years a Slave” (film, 2013)

This film, based on the memoir of Solomon Northup, a free black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the 19^th century. The film highlights the brutal treatment and dehumanization of enslaved individuals and exposes the deep-rooted racism ingrained in American society of that time. The film addresses the harsh realities of racism highlighting the resilience of Solomon Northup amidst an unjust system. This media reinforces the viewpoint because it highlights the racist experiences encountered and themes or racism.

 

2.        “The Help (film, 2011)

This film is set in Mississippi during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s. It tells the story of African American maids working in white households while exploring the racial injustices they face. As the maids collaborate with a white journalist to tell their stories, the film depicts themes of racism and discrimination the characters endure. Despite the focus on racial oppression, The Help has faced criticism for its portrayal of race relations and the white savior and superior narrative. This media reinforces the viewpoints because the storyline is based on the theme of racism and the characters experiences reinforce that theme and viewpoint.