While there are many examples of Marxism in pop-culture, I recently re-watched This Is England, directed by Shane Meadows, and thought it would be a great example to analyze through this lens.
This British classic takes place in (you guessed it) England in 1983. During this time, Margaret Thatcher reigned in England and her ideology “Thatcherism” was on the rise. The country was facing economic hardships which meant unemployment was rising, industries were collapsing, and the entire country was being affected by Thatcher’s conservative policies.
The film illustrates the struggles of the working class through the lens of a 12 year-old boy named Shaun. As if growing up in a broken society wasn’t bad enough, Shaun is also navigating life after the loss of his father in the Falkland War. This tragedy forces Shaun and his mother into the lower class and leads Shaun to feelings of alienation.
The reality of growing up in this community is harsh, and the film vividly captures the economic realities facing the working class at the time. Because of his social class, Shaun is constantly picked on at school for his baggy trousers and beat-up shoes.
One of the Marxist theories present in the film is the role of consumerism in shaping the lives of the characters, especially Shaun. As he is struggling for a place to belong, he is befriended by a group of young adults who influence him into joining their skinhead gang. Skinheads were popular in England during this time because of their anti-authoritarian beliefs and working class pride (but let's be honest, the iconic fashion too).
Though the film primarily focuses on the social and political climate, the influence of material culture and the commodities of youth identity is evident. The fashion, shaved heads, and Doc Martens for instance, become much more than what they seem. They symbolize group membership, and act as a commodity in itself:
In Popular Culture: A Reader (edited by Omayra Zaragoza Cruz and Raiford Guins), Karl Marx’s Idea of commodity fetishism is explored and analyzed with a modern approach. These material items are not just bought because of their purpose, but for the cultural weight and status they represent. Shaun doesn’t just want Doc Martens because they’re durable– he wants them because they symbolize a social power and identity.
I will be honest, watching this movie in high school influenced me into begging my parents for Doc Martens too… What was the last thing you purchased because of its commodity?
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