Portrayal Of Capitalist Society In The Truman Show

Download PDF

The Truman Show, directed by Peter Weir is a movie that portrays a capitalist society. The main character, Truman is portrayed as an average man living in what appears to be a normal world. However, this couldn’t be farther from the truth as Truman’s is apart of a tv set which sole design is to capitalize his life. The god-like producer’s name is Christof, he controls and creates Truman’s daily life events. Christof says ‘We accept the reality with which we are presented. It is as simple as that’ The Truman Show (1998). I do agree with this statement, as The Truman Show is a prime example of this. As it highlights how a person can be so heavily influenced and manipulated by their surroundings. However, there are certain periods of our life where we do push the boundaries and question our ‘reality’ just as Truman did towards the end of the film. Throughout this response paper, I will give specific examples as to why I have this particular viewpoint along with sociological theories.

Reality is nothing more than the interpretation of our perception of the world around us. In regards to Truman, it is obvious he did accept his reality in which he was being presented. He took everything he saw for face value, this is a prime example of direct realism. Direct realism is also known as common sense realism or naive realism, this particular term means that our senses provide us with direct awareness, it is clear for the most part Truman accepted what his senses were delivering.

Click to get a unique essay

Our writers can write you a new plagiarism-free essay on any topic

John Locke was an English philosopher who believed that “all knowledge comes from experience” Locke was often classified as an Empiricist. The empiricist is a philosophical theory, that states knowledge only comes from sensory experience, rather than innate ideas. The experiences in which Truman experienced throughout his life was in the hands of Christof as he had the power to manipulate and ultimately create and shape his life. This then limited Truman’s experience and subsequently his knowledge, which is what kept him from questioning his reality most of his life. The lock also states “ that the human mind at birth is a blank tablet” Locke (p.152) This quote directly relates as Truman’s whole life was shaped and formed for him from the minute he was born.

However, I believe this statement can be tested and we must take different factors into careful consideration as no situation is the same. Age is one, as at different points in our life we are more prone to question and test our own ‘reality’ in which we are presented. For example, teenagers push the boundaries as they want to be independent and make decisions by themselves. The desire for what is outside of the social construct that was built for them by their parents and within their local community. And secondly by philosophers who have held onto their rebellion stage that developed in their teenage years and also philosophers who are like Reńe Descartes (1985 p.18) who declares that “his intention to suspend every one of his beliefs that he can find the slightest reason to doubt”. Determination and the human spirit knows no barrier, which is evident with Truman when he questions himself and subsequently his false reality.

Although it wasn’t until things started to go wrong that Truman began to form ordinary doubt and growing skepticism, where he realised the importance of self conciseness in an individual’s life. “I don’t know what to think, Marlon. Maybe I’m going out of my mind, but I get the feeling that the world revolves around me somehow” Truman in The Truman Show (1998).“Skepticism questions the reliability of our sensory impressions and whether our experience reflects reality as it really is” (study guide).

Ultimately, The Truman Show emphasises just how powerful sociological factors can have on an individual and the extent to which they can control one’s life and demeanor and therefore their knowledge and actions. Whilst also keeping in mind that it is human nature to question and to be curious which is heightened when things go wrong or don’t add up. Thus, making the quote quite contradicting as I believe to an extent we do accept the reality in which we are presented, however, it is not ‘simple’ it is rather quite complex.

image

We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy.