Natural Born Killers & Capitalism

innate(p) innate(p) Killers instinctive born(p) Killers (Warner Bros. Pictures, 1994) is a assume directed by Oliver Stone. The story is about rice paddy and M solelyory Knox, devil serial killers that travel across the States on a killing spree which elevates them from viles into internationalistic media celebrities. The story sounds like a modern day Bonnie and Clyde (Warner Bros. Pictures, 1967), however paddy field and M all toldorys crimes argon much more severe and without cause. Stone intended the plastic conduct to be a critique on a culture obsessed with violence and the medias resplendence of violence.In Chaos Rising The Storm Around internal innate(p) Killers (Warner Bros. Pictures, 1994) Stone explains What I was doing was pointing the finger at the system that feeds off violence, and at the media that package it for mass consumption. Unfortunately, many people perceived the message of internal born(p) Killers as a resplendency of violence. The movie eve n inspired several copycat killings. The film Natural Born Killers was intended to critique a culture obsessed with violence, but inspired murders.The reason this film was decoded so differently by some viewers was payable to social stereotypes imposed by capitalist ideology. How an consultation perceives a message from a text is through the process of decoding. Those who produce a text encode it with messages and meanings through the use of semiotics. When the auditory sense receives a text, they then decode and identify these meanings through the signs and signifiers. Morley (1992, p. 53) explains that meaning in a text is generated through cardinal main factors. The first factor is the expressive style a text is encoded through semiotics.This smoke invite certain reads and block others. The second is the social background of the receiver, which burn be studied sociologically. The interaction of these two constraining structures will define the notion that a text can be i nterpreted in an infinite number of individual ship canal. Stuart Halls work on the role of social speckles in the interpretation of mass media texts also helps explain this. His work was based around the three different commissions a viewer can decode a text. The first is the dominant practice.This is when the reader sh bes the texts code and accepts the intended reading. The second is the negotiated reading, which is when the reader part accepts the intended reading but not completely. The reader then modifies it in a way that reflects their own blot, experience sand interests. The third is the oppositional reading, which is when the readers social situation causes them to oppose the dominant code. They understand the intended reading but dont agree with the code and reject the intended meaning, cause them to develop their own interpretation of the text.On March 6th 1995, teen couple Ben Darras and Sarah Edmondson shot a local businessman in Oklahoma. They then drove to la nthanum where they also shot a store store clerk. After their arrest, the couple said that they had been taking acid and watching Natural Born Killers several times. Upon Darrass arrest he also shouted the words Im a internal born killer man. Since the release of Natural Born Killers it has been linked to 8 murders. Each of the murderers shared the same lower grad social position, and passion for the film.What can Hall and Morleys work tell us about how this film was decoded so differently from its intended meaning by these adolescents? Hall (1977, p. 182) explains that texts are polysemic, meaning they may be read differently by different people depending on their identity, cultural background and personal opinions. Traditionally in film, those who commit acts of violence are villains who get punished for their crimes, while the guard are absorbn as heroes. In this film the police force are violent one being a murderer himself.Throughout the film, rice paddy and Mallory slaugh ter without reason and by the end of the film they gain sympathy and likeability from the audience. An oppressed lower sort out audience may rule rice paddy and Mallory as lower class heroes as they overcome the oppressing system. Some may sympathize and relate with Mallorys inglorious upbringing. An example of this is shown in the film when Mickey and Mallory leave Mallorys house after murdering her parents, the paper displayed is an open bird cage, signifying that she is now free.In this scene the fact that they have full murdered two people is completely overshadowed by Mallorys escape from an shameful environment. The viewers own personal situation, experiences and beliefs heavily warp how they decode the message of this film. Each of the individuals who committed copycat crimes after watching Natural Born Killers came from lower class social backgrounds. This implies that the social conditions that the lower classes endure under capitalism have a direct relation to why t hese individuals received the oppositional reading of the text.Natural Born Killers dwells on the fact that the two protagonists come from a lower class family, are uneducated, and how capitalist society associates people in this situation with crime. In the film Mickey calls himself a raw(a) born killer as he was born into the lower class, therefore society assumes he is a natural born fell. He explains, I was thrown into a flaming pit of scum, forgotten by immortal. In this instance, Mickey refers to society and the members of it collectively as deity. The use of semiotics to express this point is quite strong.Signs such as the way Mickey and Mallory speak, the way they dress, how they are groomed and the families that they come from signify that twain are a part of the lower class. Other important characters in the film, such as officer Scagnetti, warden McClusky and reporter Wayne Gale wear suits, speak well and are also well groomed. Several shots in the film such as Wayne Gale trimming his nose hairs and McClusky combing his moustache are used to emphasize their behavior and social status. These characters are portrayed like this to signify that they are higher within the capitalist social hierarchy.All three seek control over Mickey and Mallory for personal gain, implying that the higher classes seek to control the lower class. As the film addresses the difference in occupation of classes in a capitalist society, it also addresses the purpose levels of the lower class. As revealed previously, Mickey explains that society turned its back on him. He also states I came from violence, it was in my blood. My dad had it, his dad had it. Its barely my fate. Here Mickey is saying that he came from a lower class, as did his father and grandfather.He is also saying that to remain in this social status is sound his fate, meaning the social norm. Hollingshead (2007, p. 285) explains that children have limited their horizons to the class horizon, and in th e process they have unconsciously placed themselves in such a position that they will occupy the same levels as their parents. This being a direct effect of the capitalist ideology as Reissman (1953, p. 233) puts it, the proletarian can have no intents under capitalism, but instead must come to identify with their own class and aspire to an entirely different system of determine. This entirely different ystem of determine Reissman is referring to is that in many cases the lower class young will pursue the quick rise to success and fame. In Natural Born Killers, Mickey and Mallory fabricate international celebrities through their actions, they have fans and fame by taking the short route, regardless of the means used to get there. Williams and Mcshane (1993 p. 52) state that the lower class young person may be associated with and aspire to aim a policy king I want to be a big shot have all of the guys look up to me. Have a couple of lincolns, lots of broads and all of the coppe rs licking my shoes.As Natural Born Killers points the finger at the media for the glorification of violence, it also points a finger at capitalism for restraining the lower classes aspirations and confining them to a life of crime. Tshiwula (1998, p. 27) also shares this theory as she explains capitalism is the root for the cause of much criminal behavior, particularly in crimes committed by the lower class. Stuart Hall and David Morleys work suggest that an individuals social status can greatly crook how a text is decoded and the message they receive from it, regardless of the intended meaning.This suggests that people in a lower social status may see the antagonists as lower class heroes as they can relate to their situation. Semiotics in the film was used to signify the social gap between Mickey and Mallory, Wayne Gale, warden McClusky and officer Scagnetti. This explores the stereotypes of social status in capitalist ideology. The films references to the lower class being con fined to a life of crime and having dependant aspirations inform us that these factors are imposed by capitalism.Unfortunately, these points are still valid in modern society. Many people who come from low income families think that having the occupation they desire is unachievable collectible to their social/financial status. This isnt necessarily true, however people in this situation may think this due to what the rest of society thinks of them. Not only is the intended message of Natural Born Killers important in making people realize the medias glorification of violence, but also the message of lower class stereotypes and how they affect the individuals within that class.This text also provides us with an extreme example of how a text can be decoded by different individuals. Its safe to say that the oppositional reading of Natural Born Killers was a direct result of capitalist ideology and its influence on lower class individuals. References Hall, S. (1977) Culture, The Medi a and the Ideological Effect. the States Open University Hollingshead, A. (2007). Elmtowns Youth The Impact of Social Classes on Adolescents. Chicago, America Case Press Morley, D. (1992). television set Audiences and Cultural Studies.New York, America Routledge Penn, A. (Director) Newman, D. (Writer) (1967). Bonnie and Clyde Motion Picture. America Warner Bros. Pictures Reissman, L. (1953). American Sociological Review Volume 18. America American Sociological Association Stone, O. (Director/Producer) Tarantino, Q. (Writer) (1994). Natural Born Killers Motion Picture. America Warner Bros. Pictures Tshiwula, L. (1998). Crime and Delinquency. Pretoria, South Africa Kagiso Publishers Williams, F. P. , & McShane, M. D (1993). Criminology Theory. America Anderson Publishing CoNatural Born Killers & CapitalismNatural Born Killers Natural Born Killers (Warner Bros. Pictures, 1994) is a film directed by Oliver Stone. The story is about Mickey and Mallory Knox, two serial killers that trave l across America on a killing spree which elevates them from criminals into international media celebrities. The story sounds like a modern day Bonnie and Clyde (Warner Bros. Pictures, 1967), however Mickey and Mallorys crimes are much more severe and without cause. Stone intended the film to be a critique on a culture obsessed with violence and the medias glorification of violence.In Chaos Rising The Storm Around Natural Born Killers (Warner Bros. Pictures, 1994) Stone explains What I was doing was pointing the finger at the system that feeds off violence, and at the media that package it for mass consumption. Unfortunately, many people perceived the message of Natural Born Killers as a glorification of violence. The film even inspired several copycat killings. The film Natural Born Killers was intended to critique a culture obsessed with violence, yet inspired murders.The reason this film was decoded so differently by some viewers was due to social stereotypes imposed by capitali st ideology. How an audience perceives a message from a text is through the process of decoding. Those who produce a text encode it with messages and meanings through the use of semiotics. When the audience receives a text, they then decode and identify these meanings through the signs and signifiers. Morley (1992, p. 53) explains that meaning in a text is generated through two main factors. The first factor is the way a text is encoded through semiotics.This can invite certain readings and block others. The second is the social background of the receiver, which can be studied sociologically. The interaction of these two constraining structures will define the notion that a text can be interpreted in an infinite number of individual slipway. Stuart Halls work on the role of social positions in the interpretation of mass media texts also helps explain this. His work was based around the three different ways a viewer can decode a text. The first is the dominant reading.This is when t he reader shares the texts code and accepts the intended reading. The second is the negotiated reading, which is when the reader partly accepts the intended reading but not completely. The reader then modifies it in a way that reflects their own position, experience sand interests. The third is the oppositional reading, which is when the readers social situation causes them to oppose the dominant code. They understand the intended reading but dont agree with the code and reject the intended meaning, make them to develop their own interpretation of the text.On March 6th 1995, teen couple Ben Darras and Sarah Edmondson shot a local businessman in Oklahoma. They then drove to atomic number 57 where they also shot a store store clerk. After their arrest, the couple said that they had been taking acid and watching Natural Born Killers several times. Upon Darrass arrest he also shouted the words Im a natural born killer man. Since the release of Natural Born Killers it has been linked to 8 murders. Each of the murderers shared the same lower class social position, and passion for the film.What can Hall and Morleys work tell us about how this film was decoded so differently from its intended meaning by these adolescents? Hall (1977, p. 182) explains that texts are polysemic, meaning they may be read differently by different people depending on their identity, cultural background and personal opinions. Traditionally in film, those who commit acts of violence are villains who get punished for their crimes, while the police are seen as heroes. In this film the police are violent one being a murderer himself.Throughout the film, Mickey and Mallory slaughter without reason yet by the end of the film they gain sympathy and likeability from the audience. An oppressed lower class audience may see Mickey and Mallory as lower class heroes as they overcome the oppressing system. Some may sympathize and relate with Mallorys abusive upbringing. An example of this is shown in the film when Mickey and Mallory leave Mallorys house after murdering her parents, the cover displayed is an open bird cage, signifying that she is now free.In this scene the fact that they have fair(a) murdered two people is completely overshadowed by Mallorys escape from an abusive environment. The viewers own personal situation, experiences and beliefs heavily influence how they decode the message of this film. Each of the individuals who committed copycat crimes after watching Natural Born Killers came from lower class social backgrounds. This implies that the social conditions that the lower classes endure under capitalism have a direct relation to why these individuals received the oppositional reading of the text.Natural Born Killers dwells on the fact that the two protagonists come from a lower class family, are uneducated, and how capitalist society associates people in this situation with crime. In the film Mickey calls himself a natural born killer as he was born into the lower class, therefore society assumes he is a natural born criminal. He explains, I was thrown into a flaming pit of scum, forgotten by God. In this instance, Mickey refers to society and the members of it collectively as God. The use of semiotics to express this point is quite strong.Signs such as the way Mickey and Mallory speak, the way they dress, how they are groomed and the families that they come from signify that twain are a part of the lower class. Other important characters in the film, such as officer Scagnetti, warden McClusky and reporter Wayne Gale wear suits, speak well and are also well groomed. Several shots in the film such as Wayne Gale trimming his nose hairs and McClusky combing his moustache are used to emphasize their show and social status. These characters are portrayed like this to signify that they are higher within the capitalist social hierarchy.All three seek control over Mickey and Mallory for personal gain, implying that the higher classes seek to control the lower class. As the film addresses the difference in occupation of classes in a capitalist society, it also addresses the aspiration levels of the lower class. As revealed previously, Mickey explains that society turned its back on him. He also states I came from violence, it was in my blood. My dad had it, his dad had it. Its just my fate. Here Mickey is saying that he came from a lower class, as did his father and grandfather.He is also saying that to remain in this social status is just his fate, meaning the social norm. Hollingshead (2007, p. 285) explains that children have limited their horizons to the class horizon, and in the process they have unconsciously placed themselves in such a position that they will occupy the same levels as their parents. This being a direct effect of the capitalist ideology as Reissman (1953, p. 233) puts it, the proletarian can have no aspirations under capitalism, but instead must come to identify with their own class and aspire to an entirely different system of values. This entirely different ystem of values Reissman is referring to is that in many cases the lower class youth will pursue the quick rise to success and fame. In Natural Born Killers, Mickey and Mallory become international celebrities through their actions, they have fans and fame by taking the short route, regardless of the means used to get there. Williams and Mcshane (1993 p. 52) state that the lower class youth may be associated with and aspire to become a policy king I want to be a big shot have all of the guys look up to me. Have a couple of lincolns, lots of broads and all of the coppers licking my shoes.As Natural Born Killers points the finger at the media for the glorification of violence, it also points a finger at capitalism for restraining the lower classes aspirations and confining them to a life of crime. Tshiwula (1998, p. 27) also shares this theory as she explains capitalism is the root for the cause of much criminal behavior , particularly in crimes committed by the lower class. Stuart Hall and David Morleys work suggest that an individuals social status can greatly influence how a text is decoded and the message they receive from it, regardless of the intended meaning.This suggests that people in a lower social status may see the antagonists as lower class heroes as they can relate to their situation. Semiotics in the film was used to signify the social gap between Mickey and Mallory, Wayne Gale, warden McClusky and officer Scagnetti. This explores the stereotypes of social status in capitalist ideology. The films references to the lower class being confined to a life of crime and having limit aspirations inform us that these factors are imposed by capitalism.Unfortunately, these points are still valid in modern society. Many people who come from low income families opine that having the occupation they desire is unachievable due to their social/financial status. This isnt necessarily true, however people in this situation may think this due to what the rest of society thinks of them. Not only is the intended message of Natural Born Killers important in making people realize the medias glorification of violence, but also the message of lower class stereotypes and how they affect the individuals within that class.This text also provides us with an extreme example of how a text can be decoded by different individuals. Its safe to say that the oppositional reading of Natural Born Killers was a direct result of capitalist ideology and its influence on lower class individuals. References Hall, S. (1977) Culture, The Media and the Ideological Effect. America Open University Hollingshead, A. (2007). Elmtowns Youth The Impact of Social Classes on Adolescents. Chicago, America Case Press Morley, D. (1992). video recording Audiences and Cultural Studies.New York, America Routledge Penn, A. (Director) Newman, D. (Writer) (1967). Bonnie and Clyde Motion Picture. America Warner Bros. Pic tures Reissman, L. (1953). American Sociological Review Volume 18. America American Sociological Association Stone, O. (Director/Producer) Tarantino, Q. (Writer) (1994). Natural Born Killers Motion Picture. America Warner Bros. Pictures Tshiwula, L. (1998). Crime and Delinquency. Pretoria, South Africa Kagiso Publishers Williams, F. P. , & McShane, M. D (1993). Criminology Theory. America Anderson Publishing Co