Marxism reading- Thesis statement: Quentin Tarantino makes many references to Marxism, the key elements of Marxism like the Capitalists and Proletariats and the ideologies of Marxist theory in the film Inglorious Basterds and shows this through a range of techniques. Slide one: The Capitalist Adolf Hitler is the infamous fascist leader of Germany during the Second World War, and although a relationship between fascism and Capitalism is not usually made, there is one in this case. Hitler's rise to power was financially fueled and supported by large capitalist incorporations, and these capitalists were later rewarded by the Nazi's, often with slave labour. In the film 'Inglorious Basterds', Director Quentin Tarantino depicts Hitler as a strong Capitalist figure, his wealth and power clearly expressed through many techniques including mise en scene, costume and characterisation. Tarantino's use of low angle shots of Hitler makes him appear dominant and powerful and leaves the viewer feeling intimidated. The mise en scene then reinforces this depiction of power and wealth, with the large map of Europe in the background marked with Nazi symbols emphasisng the extent of Hitler's dominance and by placing Hitler in front of this map his ownership of this is made clear. The large portrait of Hitler shown also expresses the megalomania and avariciousness often associated with capitalists. Quotes like “How much more of these Jew swine must I endure?” emphasise the selfish and bigotry qualities of Hitler, as a capitalist figure. There is a lot of irony in this comment, as Hitler himself did not endure much on a firsthand basis, instead he used his power to manipulate the Bourgeoisie and Proletariat classes to carry out his dirty work against the Jews, who he considered sub-human. Slide two: The Proletariat The Jewish people in Europe during the second world war were degraded by Adolf Hitler to the lowest class possible; the proletariat. As part of the proletariat, the Jewish people were under the direct control of the capitalists, literally made to work or face punishment on the basis of who they were. Although “Inglorious Basterds” is based on history, Tarantino challenges the reality of history by offering a different outcome. Tarantino creates a group of brave proletariats, called the ‘Basterds’, who uprise against the capitalists and seek a certain equality through revenge, and are successful in doing so. This uprising of the proletariat and defeat of a strong capitalist figure in the film, Adolf Hitler, lives true to the desires of Marxism and perhaps expresses Tarantino’s own Marxists beliefs, as Marxist ideas recur in many of his films, particularly ‘Pulp Fiction’. Tarantino shows this group of men to be part of the proletariat with a range of techniques. Most clear and effective of the techniques is the use of costume; as the earthy tones and under embellished style of the costumes show the men to be of a lower, working, class. These earthy tones and lack of embellishment is continued in the setting, reinforcing the audiences interpretation of these men as of a poorer, lower, working class. Tarantino cleverly placed this scene introducing the proletariat ‘basterds’ directly before that of the introduction of the capitalist, Hitler, to make an obvious contrast between the two, and in particular the two leaders. Adolf Hitler is in a glamorous, over embellished and well fitted suit, making him appear individual and of far higher status than that of everyone else in the room, a capitalist ideal, while the leader of the proletariat group, Aldo Raine, is dressed very similarly to his followers, in the same earthy tones, and stands at the same height as them, reflecting the marxist ideal of equality. To further this contrast, Aldo Raine has a deep scar across his neck to show he as a leader has experienced hardships firsthand to achieve his goals, unlike Hitler, whose power and wealth prevented such hardships and involvement. Slide Three: Ideologies One of the main ideologies of Marxism is equality, the foundation to communism. In the case of this film, the proletariat group ‘The Basterds’ strive for equality through revenge; by placing the same or similar harm to their oppressors, the Capitalists, that has been placed on them and their people. The quote shown expresses these intentions to act violently and brutally to seek revenge, with ironic torture like engraving a Nazi symbol on the forehead of the Nazi soldiers. Tarantino often uses graphic violence in his films flippantly and even to create humour, and ‘Inglorious Basterds’ is not exception, but this seems to imply that violence would have been the only way for the proletariats to challenge the capitalists and knock them from their oppressive and corrupt power. This idea is actually quite consistent with the methods of proletariat Marxists who have revolted in the past i.e. The Russian revolution. But the irony of all thi