Power

 Understanding who holds the power and who is powerless helps to reveal the cultural context in texts.

In my comparative course I studied the movie ‘Pride’ directed by Matthew Warchus. 

To an extent, I agree with the statement that understanding who holds power and who is powerless helps to reveal the cultural context in texts. All the problems the main characters faced throughout the entirety of the film was ultimately due to power, and we can evidently see how power impacts the society the world of the text creates. But we soon begin to understand that everyone has the power to change the world we live in. 

 The film takes place throughout the years of 1984 and 1985, where Margaret Thatcher is in power. Society in the text’s world discriminates against anyone who involves themselves in the LGBT community. This causes the community to believe that power is being away from them as they understand that they seemingly don’t have the right to express themselves. We see this clearly at the beginning the of the text when Joe, the main character, goes to his first ever Pride March. He looks reluctant to take part as he is afraid of what people will think of him. A group of men standing at the side of the march throw a can in Joe’s direction, causing him to fall straight into the crowd. Soon after, a woman and her child walked past Joe as he stood on the sidewalk and muttered the word “disgusting”. Joe replied in agreement, yet deep down knowing that this is not how he really feels. This presents the readers with a clear image of someone who feels as if they hold all the power, and someone who feels as if they are completely powerless. The group of men and the woman believe that they are the ones who hold all the power within this scenario, just because they are agreeing with and following what Thatcher believes. This helps the audience to reveal the text’s cultural context. 

Once again we understand who, in the text, holds the power and who is powerless in the key moment where Joe finally leaves his family and his home. Before this intense confrontation occurred, Joe was on the journey of a lifetime. Whilst being in Wales helping the mining community, he encountered many wise people and he learned a lot about himself as an individual. He realised that he should never feel as if he must hide his true identity. If the people he surrounds himself with truly loved him, they will acccept himself for who he really is. The LGSM of course do and always will accept him, and because of this Joe becomes a strong and powerful young man. He knows that he can no longer live with his family as they do not accept his lifestyle. Society is manipulated to believe that LGBT+ behaviour was to be shunned upon. These views all came down to the person who obtains the power, which is Margaret Thatcher. Like thousands of others, Joe’s parents publicly agree with Thatcher’s views, so that they can ‘fit in’ to society. But by doing this, they are neglecting their only son and tearing their family apart. This key moment clearly gives the readers a strong insight into the cultural context of the text as we see how people who believe they obtain obtain power can influence society’s beliefs. 

 Before befriending and cofounding LGSM, Joe felt that there was nothing he could do in order to change the way of society. He felt powerless. But his view soon changed when he met Mark and all of the others who were involved in LGSM, as it is because of them that he could finally express himself for who he truly is. Here the audience is represented with a group of strong human beings who are fighting against the people who are in power. They have a voice in the world, which, during the time of the world of the text ,many people tended not to use, but instead hide it away. By using their voice and expressing their views, they are causing a great impact on society. When a group of people join forces and fight for what they believe in, they receive the power to make a change in the world we live in. This statement is evident towards the end of the text, where the LGSM is taking part in the Pride March of 1985. They were going to be marching at the very back of the large crowd, until thousands of minors arrived in support of the LGSM, and the LGBT+ community in general. The minors and the gay community joined together and soured through the streets of London with pride and strength. The LGBT+’s constant battle of fighting for their rights gave them the power to eventually change society’s view of them as people. In our world today, society is much more acceptive of the gay community, and people are comfortable with expressing their true identity.  

These topics most certainly help to reveal the text’s cultural context. This is because we understand not only who society believes holds the power, but we also understand that with a lot of hard work, people have the power to change the way society is perceived.