Alienated Labor

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Recommended: Analysis of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory illustrates complex sociological themes for a children's movie. In the beginning a contest is announced by Willy Wonka, after having his factory closed to the public for years. Any child who finds a golden ticket in their Wonka chocolate bar will win a once in a lifetime chance to tour the famous factory. The main character, Charlie Bucket, comes from an extremely poor family who is fighting just to stay afloat. While touring the magical factory the five children learn some unexpected life lessons. The movie examines the idea of Alienated Labor from the very beginning. A few powerful and privileged people have gained control of society and exploited the lower class workers. In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Willy Wonka exemplifies the bourgeoisie when he takes the children into the room with the chocolate …show more content…

Mechanical Solidarity is an important factor in the movie and Willy Wonka created his own “society” within the walls of the chocolate factory. The Oompa Loompas live in a “traditional” society inside the walls of the chocolate factory, with Willy Wonka being the structure keeping everything together. When something goes wrong within the factory repressive measures are taken to make sure they do not affect the community in a negative way.
Karl Marx constructed the concept of alienation or alienated labor in the 19th century. Similar to other conflict theorists, Marx was interested in the idea that social structures benefit certain individuals and groups. Marx came from a long line of rabbis who grew up in a middle-class home, but received his PhD in philosophy (Dr. Rotondi, May 1, 2018). In one of his most famous works, Das Kapital, Marx focused on the idea of capitalism. He believed it’s downfall would be caused by the proletariat revolting against the bourgeoisie system to create a better, more egalitarian, system (Menand, 2017, p.10-11). At the time most people were considered lower class and were forced to

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