SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONIST PERSPECTIVE MEDIA ANALYSIS Essay
“Futurama” is one of the animated sitcoms that have gained a tremendous success. At the same time, the sitcom reveals the wide social gaps and inequality existing between different social classes. In this regard, it is possible to refer to the main characters of the sitcom, which belong to different social classes and are quite different in their appearance and behavior. In fact, the striking social inequality and difference between representatives of different social classes depicted in “Futurama” can be traced even through the non-verbal communication and behavior of the main characters. In such a way, “Futurama” conveys the symbolic representation of the contemporary society and persisting social inequality.
At this point, it is important to dwell upon some of the main characters of the sitcom. Bender is the representative of minorities, who holds the inferior position and feels angry and anxious about his position in the society. He always attempts to steal something to gain money and to take a better position in the society. Hermes is a bureaucrat belonging to the middle class. The Professor is the scientist, who holds the high position in the society, although is neglected by other people, who consider him a bit insane. Amy Wong is the representative of the upper-class and belongs to the wealthy family. Mom is the representative of the upper-class. Fry is the representative of the low-income class, who is doing low-qualified job and always lacks money.
The diversity of the main characters and their belongingness to different social classes can be traced through their non-verbal communication and behavior. To put it more precisely, Fry, the protagonist of the sitcom, is always puzzled. For instance, in the episode I watched, there were several moments, when he just stood his mouth eyes wide open. Moreover, there were several times, when he tried to say something, but he was roughly interrupted by his interlocutors, who either hold a higher position in their organization or in the society.
In contrast to Fry, Amy Wong seemed to be careless and she did not really care about other people. She did not listen to others and she acted as she liked. In addition, her appearance was quite different from the appearance of other people. The Professor definitely belongs to the middle- or upper-class for he is a scientist and he always conduct some experiments or attempts to lecture other people but, judging from Fry’s facial expression as well as facial expressions and irritated movements and gestures of other people, they do not always understand him.
Bender is probably the most noteworthy character. He manifests rather negative than positive expressions, which vary from haughty, superior, bombastic facial expressions to frightened and puzzled, cunning facial expressions. Moreover, throughout the episode, he was stealing different things and conducted illegal activities. In such a way, he was apparently inclined to criminal actions and steals for the sake of money to earn more and to improve his social standing.
Basically, the movements, gestures and facial expressions of the main characters described above helped to reveal their interpersonal relationships and indicated to their social standing. For instance, Fry and Bender apparently hold approximately the same social standing. They frequently made hugs and were quite friendly in relation to each other. Bender’s facial expression often changed from neural to malignant, when he communicated to the Professor or other representatives of the upper-class but he did not express his emotions openly. Instead, the change occurred when he turned away from his interlocutor or when the interlocutor turned away from him and could not see his malignant facial expression. The Professor was stooped, wearing huge glasses, which indicate to his hard scientific work. In addition, his clothes also prove his belongingness to the scientific world.
Obviously, different characters depicted in “Futurama” have multiple implications to the contemporary society. For instance, Bender may be viewed as a poor immigrant, holding the low social standing and inclined to criminal activities. Such characteristics of Bender reveal the stereotyped, biased view on immigrants and representatives of lower social classes. Fry is another representative of the low-class. He fails to do well-qualified job. He looks lazy and unwilling to work. Moreover, he seems to be unable to do well-qualified job and his intellectual level does not seem to be high. Homer symbolizes the bureaucratic part of the contemporary society. He has a pen at hand and a case. He is always making some notes and behaves as a true bureaucrat, although this image may be a bit hyperbolized in the sitcom.
Thus, taking into account all above mentioned, it is important to place emphasis on the fact that “Futurama” reveals existing social inequality in the modern society. The main characters of the sitcom behave in different ways and their gestures and non-verbal communication reveals their belongingness to different social classes. They are in an unequal position. Fry and Bender are apparently inferior to the Professor and other representatives of the upper-class just like real people in the contemporary society are.
