Marxist Analysis of Economic Conditions in “The Jungle Book”: Unveiling Socioeconomic Battles in the Animated World

Abstract

The aim of the study is to explore the underlying repressive Marxist ideologies such as socioeconomic conditions, class system, class struggle, consumerism and commodification in the movie. Drawing on superstructure model, the study also aims to explore the ways in which historical and material circumstances and their relationship manifest in the movie, how it perpetuates capitalist tendencies in society, providing a deeper understanding of the underlying power dynamics and exploitation present in society from a Marxist perspective. The researcher adopted the exploratory re-search framework. The study utilized a qualitative research approach by applying Marxist theory for content analysis on an animated movie “The Jungle Book” as a sample. The sample was determined through typical and critical case sampling methods from animated movies of the world that has basic elements of Marxism. The findings of the study reveal that there are implicit Marxist tendencies present in the movie that conform to the superstructure model of the world. The major characters of the movie strive for economic prosperity and have convenient interactions with one another, which lead to capitalistic attitude, imperialistic dominance, class struggle resulting in consumer culture and commodified relationships. The summative discussions within the light of the findings acquired in this study imply that Marxist elements have been deeply portrayed in the movie and serve as a platform to unveil socioeconomic battles within an animated world through a Marxist lens, exposing the underlying power dynamics, exploitation, and capitalist tendencies present in society.