Ideology

Question 1

What is a simple definition of ideology?

Answer 1

the set of ideas/values that lie behind a film text that reflect social/political structures

Question 2

What would be a left wing/right wing view on unemployment?

Answer 2

left wing: would support anyone who is unemployed
right wing: would say they deserved it and have no work ethic

Question 3

What are the 3 main ideological points for WB?

Answer 3

1. Gender (female empowerment, patriarchal values/toxic masculinity, women’s roles in the household)
2. Environmental impact on family life (poverty, environment determining behaviour, rural deprivation, limited aspirations, drugs and impact on society)
3. Welfare state and support (state unhelpful/absent, official figures are threatening)

Question 4

How does WB support the idea of female empowerment?

Answer 4

• Granik - “a feminist film in an anti feminist world”
• Ree is a strong character who acts alone without a man; performs many of the stereotypical acts of a man (provider and protected of the household, shows courage and physical resilience, goes on the quest)
• Ree encourages Gail to stand up against oppression and steal the truck keys (may inspire other women to do the same)
• HOWEVER the mother is presented as weak and broken
• Teardrop’s wife, Victoria, is largely under his thumb; clearly hierarchy in the household
• Gail is completely domesticated: married with a baby and dependent on her husband as she has no job

Question 5

Right wing spectator

Answer 5

• no sympathy for ozarks people
• critical of drug culture

Question 6

Marxist lens

Answer 6

sympathy for lower class people in the ozarks, believe they are hardworking

Question 7

How is masculinity presented in the film?

Answer 7

• community is patriarchal and sexist, the men dominate the women (eg Teardrop holding a gun)
• every household Ree goes to is dominated by a man
• scene with Gail: her husband takes up audio space with his metal music, conforms to representation of men being invasive and aggressive. ree conforms with sarcasm - switches gender role
• the men try to pass down their ideology; Little Arthur offers to take Sonny but not Ashlee. Ree responds aggressively
• Ree gives Teardrop emotional support in truck scene
• Teardrop’s character arc; becomes more caring, gifts the children a baby chick each, starts to play music for them. strays away from patriarchal ideas
• Ree inspires others to stand against patriarchal values (preferred reading)