Metropolis
M Three Ideologies and Metropolis
Metropolis, a German science-fiction film, was made in 1927. Although the movie is silent and the plot is not so powerful, it has an important value in terms of expression of political ideas. Metropolis shows relations between worker class and capitalist rulers. The movie demonstrates the dealings between the two ones and the criticism of excessive capitalism by Democratic Socialism. It is a fact that workers of industrialized Europe countries had serious problems in 19th century. The people were working in unhealthy, dangerous and awful conditions. Even women and children were exploited extremely by capitalists for earning more money. The movie shows these problems. The people live in the depths; they work for long hours without any rest. Moreover, explosions of the machines cause death of a lot of workers. While workers are oppressed, capitalists just entertain and enjoy their comfortable life in the big towers of Metropolis. They did not do anything to prevent the accidents and justify their actions by saying that “These kinds of accidents are unavoidable”. Actually, there is big division between capitalists and working class. Mr. Fredersen, the capitalist ruler of Metropolis, does not even know his workers. In these horrible circumstances, democratic socialism appears and intends to solve the vital problems. Democratic socialism as an ideology supports conception of communal harmony. Social democrats argue that sense of community and fraternity are key concepts in the process of taming excesses of capitalism. Maria and Freder represent democratic socialism ideas. While Fereder, son of Mr. Fredersen, is spending his leisure time in a beautiful garden, Maria comes with workers’ children and says them “Look… These are your brothers.” Actually, these words illustrate the fraternity idea in democratic socialism. Maria supports cooperation and unity among laborers. She thinks that they can overcome alienation of labor in
Metropolis, a German science-fiction film, was made in 1927. Although the movie is silent and the plot is not so powerful, it has an important value in terms of expression of political ideas. Metropolis shows relations between worker class and capitalist rulers. The movie demonstrates the dealings between the two ones and the criticism of excessive capitalism by Democratic Socialism. It is a fact that workers of industrialized Europe countries had serious problems in 19th century. The people were working in unhealthy, dangerous and awful conditions. Even women and children were exploited extremely by capitalists for earning more money. The movie shows these problems. The people live in the depths; they work for long hours without any rest. Moreover, explosions of the machines cause death of a lot of workers. While workers are oppressed, capitalists just entertain and enjoy their comfortable life in the big towers of Metropolis. They did not do anything to prevent the accidents and justify their actions by saying that “These kinds of accidents are unavoidable”. Actually, there is big division between capitalists and working class. Mr. Fredersen, the capitalist ruler of Metropolis, does not even know his workers. In these horrible circumstances, democratic socialism appears and intends to solve the vital problems. Democratic socialism as an ideology supports conception of communal harmony. Social democrats argue that sense of community and fraternity are key concepts in the process of taming excesses of capitalism. Maria and Freder represent democratic socialism ideas. While Fereder, son of Mr. Fredersen, is spending his leisure time in a beautiful garden, Maria comes with workers’ children and says them “Look… These are your brothers.” Actually, these words illustrate the fraternity idea in democratic socialism. Maria supports cooperation and unity among laborers. She thinks that they can overcome alienation of labor in